Beez and bees hmmmmm!!

Modems and wireless routers seemed to take up a lot of an interesting week. The apiarist and the educator decided that the intermittent telecommunication problems  just HAD TO BE FIXED!!!!! Four days (and I mean DAYS) of phone calls followed to Belkin and Bigpond. New wireless router was installed followed by a new modem with a wireless router included. All of this meant the collective stress level went through the roof but I think we're successfully on line. (Anyone want a new wireless router)!

Friday evening saw us at the Tilba Valley Winery tilba.com.au/tilbavalleywines.htm not really to taste wine but to go to see and listen to the Beez http://thebeez.de/ . An interesting night where there was good food and great fun all washed down with a very good Cabernet Shiraz.

Next morning was back to a little reality. We have "enjoyed'"some very heavy rain since returning to Perkins Parade and judging from the torrent of water cascading over our gutters there was a "little" blockage in our downpipe! Rather than "calling the man" it was decided that  the apiarist should tackle the job. Not exactly high wire stuff but for a person with the ability to fall of his bike while standing still and fall down stairs before going for a drink it was a big effort!!! But then heights have never been a problem to an apiarist http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-507533/Obituary-Sir-Edmund-Hillary-unassuming-beekeeper-conquered-Mount-Everest.html

The Apiarist and the Educator then headed across Highway 1 to the Ecotel http://www.ecotel.com.au/contact.html to see a film and hear a talk on disappearing bees among other things apicultural. The talk was by a beekeeping "expert" who shared some rather interesting ideas. I could only listen for so long before questioning the science behind his assertations whereupon I stomped out followed by my mother ( 79 years beekeeping experience) stepfather Carman (BSc. -Apiculture 60+ yrs an apiarist) and the Educator.

While I was coaxed back by the offer of a cup of tea and homemaid goodies and Julie returned to the "discussion" Mum & Carmen had had enough beekeeping for the evening and went home. Thanks must go to the hosts for the evening which if it went along the lines of a discussion would have been valuable and enjoyable. Never mind I did meet some interesting people and will get some honey customers!!

Awoke to another beautiful Narooma day and low and behold either Santa or Bob the Elf had been and......... We have what everyone needs A HOME APIARY!!!!

No disappearing bees here these are APPEARING beeeeeeeeeesssssss



While we were in Canada Australia had undergone some unusual changes. It had shock, horror............. rained!!!!  Rain in Australia means a few things. Farms become green, sheep & cattle get fat, farmers smile and rivers run. Unfortunately it can also mean rivers flood, people get bogged, grass and weeds grow. And grass need cutting and gardens need weeding and plants need pruning.



Sunday saw the pruning of the never ending rose. This unnamed climbing rose was given to us by our former neighbour Michael - how will we ever forget him! And the rose! !

It is a lovely climbing rose with vicious thorns!!!! Unlike modern roses it never has anything go wrong with it which is an advantage. But in one afternoon we filled all our bins for the Eurobodalla Shire Greenwaste collection. Oh well...


Satisified with our gardening and well and truly dosed up with Vitamin D we sauntered into 6 Perkins and started looking at maps reading travel guides and booking accommodation in Thunder Bay and Minnesota for the start of our Great Mississipi Adventure which commences in just a little over 8 weeks. Life is good!

After a morning bout of exercise and unnatural stretching at the Bay Street Gym I packed the car and headed to Broulee Public to collect the Educator to transfer her to Wollongong for an appointment with her Dentist. We'd planned to meet with Greg and Melissa and we were surprised when they and Jeff gave us a joint birthday present of tickets to that night's performance of The Wall. Wow!!!

http://www.pinkfloydz.com/roger2012/feb15sydney/feb15sydney.htm

Good but busy

Life at home is good but busy! But then we wouldn't have it any other way, would we??? I'll give you a small insight into a regular weekend.....

First things first. We are returning to life in Narooma.....


And that means back to Broulee Public School and the darlings of 1/2F. Back to mowing lawns and tidying the garden. Back to housework. Back to the beach. And back to the fun and games of Bay Street along with the manipulations and exercises from Jaimey and after those exertions the post gym recovery at Montague Coffee http://www.montaguecoffee.com.au/ .

Over the past 8 weeks we've been following the adventures of the Curvy and more particularly following the adventures of the current pilot (Greg) and co pilot (Haydos). Following their chauffering of JAF and the apiarist to their luxurious airport hotel the grand adventure had taken them to Chicago, St Louis, New Orleans, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington, New York, Boston, Toronto and GRAVENHURST!  What a trip! Well done boys!

News had come that the adventurers had touched down safely in Sydney and that Greg was bringing Felicity (Flick) down to visit us, (Narooma) Grandma and Grandpa and to collect Greg's car. Great news BUT JAF and I had been invited to a wedding. What to do??


Petes  wedding (more about Pete & the wedding later)was at Gerringong which is north of Bendalong so the decision was made to meet Greg and Flick at Bendy, have them stay the night, catch up on their news and give Greg his car back. A good decision and a great night and morning followed.

Farewelling (and giving last minute instructions to) Greg & Flick who were headed to Narooma to see Grandma and Grandpa took a little bit of time. But it was great to see them both in such good spirits.

The farewell did gave us time for one last Bendi swim before we headed north to Gerringong for Pete and Ana's wedding. Pete had been Greg's boss at the Whale Restaurant in Narooma and we had become friendly with him over the time that he was working in Narooma and living in Bodalla.



With a setting like this it is no doubt that outdoor weddings are become more and more popular. And when you are a caterer like Pete (who is a great chef) having the reception at home makes lots of sense!

The next morning was spent relaxing and enjoying the various feathered and furry creatures that are frequent visitors to Cherry Street before we headed to Batemans Bay for a welcome BBQ for this year's incoming exchange teachers.