Firstly, sorry its been nearly a month since the previous post.  Secondly, here’s the next one. Its been refreshingly normal few weeks with little but a couple of covid issues over in the east and the alleged start of the vaccine roll-out. Meanwhile we managed a night at the opera. Well, a mostly social distanced evening at “Opera in the Park” in the heart of Perth.  A balmy night for a picnic and some enjoyable music. The following weekend we mananaged to go to a Jazz Club “meetup”. We had always planned to go to jazz clubs even when in France but never quite managed to do so. We had been continuing that theme here too, until we actually did manage to get to a club in Mosman Park. Well, actually a bar “Rodney’s Bait and Tackle” (the bar serving drinks was actually a boat and there were loads of fishing paraphernalia on the walls). We met a handful of people who had signed up for the “meetup”.  The three piece band had a guest saxophonistThe following week Delia was to start a 6 month contract at “Main Roads” in central Perth. Not permanent, unfortunately, but still welcome. That Friday I met up with the photo club in the heart of Perth to photograph an aboriginal dance display. Unfortunately the dancers started early and I only managed to snap the last dance. Delia missed that (because I had mistakenly referred to the Yagan Amphitheatre as the Arena – two stops

On Sunday, 14th February, we were able to start going without our masks while out and about. Obviously the state government wanted everyone to be happy for Valentines day! We decided that the dog beach would be a great place to go – so did everyone else who had a dog, the beach was manic that Sunday morning. Sunday evening for Pat and I was spent at a group dinner – this was arranged through a social group who we do our Friday evening walk with. It was great, we were sitting at a lovely restaurant, outside watching the sun go down over the ocean. The temperature was comfortable so one didn’t get hot and just a lovely ambience. The food and company were good too. We were sitting opposite a couple (L&T) we know from the Friday night walk and we got chatting – we mentioned that we had been Stand-up paddle boarding and were wanting to try kayaking. T mentioned that they had a couple of kayaks – one double and one single – and he was happy for us to try them out one day with him. This Sunday just gone, after an early start so that we had time to walk Siena and then get to L&T’s by 8:30 am we finally got to try kayaking. It was great fun. We actually went to the same marina that we had been previously so that was great, Pat was on the double kayak with T and I

For once not celebrating the beach. We have been there with Siena and its been so crowded that our country-mouse of a dog mostly sticks close to us. Still enjoying herself, just a bit overwhelmed by the scores of crazy mutts careening here and there chasing balls and whatever. It’s been a strange week, with a single covid infection causing a 5 day lockdown for Perth and nearby suburbs. I can hear, you in France and the UK, shouting ONE infection and only FIVE days but this is our first community infection in 10 months. Fortunately, so far, no further transmission seems to have occurred but we’re in masks for a further week, and yes, we do know how lucky we are. Last month I entered my first competition in my photo club and was pleased to be judged bronze and silver. Next week the subject is “Portrait” – Delia’s mum is allowing me to enter a photo of her (but only on the basis that no-one she knows can see it). The other photo is from my not too distant archives of a misty dawn with Siena in France. I’ll let you know how I get on. I had my first field trip with my photo club. We metup at the Midland Westfield railway maintenance sheds.  An acre or so of abandoned industrial sheds. It seems that in the 1980’s it was decided that it was no longer viable to maintain them and they were unceremoniously abandoned, in a

I think I mentioned that for my birthday last year Pat bought me a bread book, and I have slowly been working my way through it and today I am making walnut bread – I’m looking forward to this one.  Last weeks was a type of sultana bread which I have really enjoyed the occasional slice over the week.  I say occasional as Pat and I are back on our healthy eating plan and limiting our treats.  We did however go out for lunch this week as I’ve finished up my temp assignment and I’m able to do things during the week.  We had a lovely meal out and our view was from the south side of the Swan River looking back towards the city.  Some photo’s below. Pat and I have been getting to the dog beach at least once a week, and it is busy, very busy, we do go for a quick swim but unfortunately Siena has not lost her horror of the water and will not come in so she stands on the beach and barks at us.  I will admit I am very happy we have air conditioning as it does make dealing with the heat so much easier (and I’m sleeping at night). Last Sunday I took mum out for her birthday and we had a lovely time overlooking the beach (I’m noticing a theme to my eating out – I seem to like looking out over water).  On the same day Pat went

Friday we had a flood (well 5) christmas cards arrive. Those with dates said sent on 4th December. So thanks to all of you who sent us cards. Not sure how much covid had to do with it but nearly 6 weeks does seem more than usually delayed. Thanks to all of you though. So 41c means summer’s here. Mostly just mid 30’s though. I vowed not to complain about heat when I came to Aus and tbh it’s the pets that do the moaning.  For me a fan on my back works fine and Siena sits nearby but doesn’t like to be in its direct path. Wallis just flops on the tiles like a puppet with his strings cut. But at night! Wallis whinges all night instructing his minions to make it cooler. Siena hides under the bed (too hot to put her in her crate) and sneaks up on the bed between us at some stage during the early hours when its cooler. It turned cooler yesterday afternoon as we were on our way for a swim at the beach and today is only in the mid 20s. Wallis is grateful for the cooler weather especially since we had his teeth cleaned (and 6 removed as loose). First time in his 13 years or so and he is just starting to eat now.  Back to mid-30’s tomorrow apparently. There are bush fires happening to the north of Perth and yellow fire fighting helicopters are still flying to the

31st December 2020 – The Diet starts tomorrow! Usually one ends the year with a raft of New Years Resolutions and the like, however I noticed that last year we did a look back on the year about all the good things that had happened – and I really liked this – especially as 2019 was a difficult year for Pat and I with my cancer and I think for everyone 2020 has been an unusual and unexpected year that to look back at the good things and the things we’ve done might be a wonderful surprise. January – we were still in France and we started our year with me finishing cancer treatment and a trip to the UK (remember when we could all travel). This was our farewell tour and we had a great time – one highlight was seeing a production of The Book of Mormon (remember when you could go to the theatre). This trip did extend into February. February – we sold our car and various other items in preparation for our flights in March (Iittle did we know). We caught up with lots of our friends in France and had some wonderful meals out. March – a trip to Paris, this was meant to be our last few days in Paris before we headed home, but by this stage, Covid was starting to affect things, 1 flight had been cancelled and our pets rebooked for the end of March. We did have a lovely

I’m finally sitting down and writing a blog. Not that I haven’t actually tried to write before today, I was just struggling. With working I was tired, and I’m currently working again, thankfully I finish at 3pm at the moment so I am really enjoying that, however I am very, aware how many people read this blog who are currently living in lock-down and we in WA are basically living life as normal. I travel the train to get to work – no mask – I can go for a meal at a restaurant, I went out to a Christmas do in a pub on Friday night. I trust you can enjoy reading our blog and perhaps discovering what it is like to have Christmas in summer, walks on the beach, and just live a little through what we are doing. As I mentioned I went to a Christmas function on Friday night, which was for one of the places I was temping at – I worked there for 5 weeks and was pleasantly surprised to be invited to the Christmas function, I had a great time chatting to people and drinking Prosecco. It was really nice to catch-up with people. We’ve almost completed our Christmas shopping which is nice. We have one more gift to buy and one to pick-up – oh and one that I still have a couple of items to add to the box. I wrapped most things today which was good to get that out

Sorry we have been incommunicado for a few weeks. Delia has had a temp contract and is finding the long postponed 9-5 tough going. My excuse if that its her turn but truth be told I haven’t done much photography and have been busy myself with a new website and some technical admin with moving my hosting.

The group that organises our Friday Burns Beach walks proposed a new (to us) pastime. Geocaching. I had an idea about it, I thought something like a cross between orienteering and a treasue hunt. I wasn’t too far out. Yesterday (Saturday 6th Nov) we met up in Yanchep by the sea near Lookout Point. A couple of seasoned geocachers chatted to us about it. Essentially people all over the world hide things, publish slightly cryptic clues about where but locate them fairly accurately with co-ordinates. and you use the GPS on a smart phone to get you close. When I say “people” – there are a lot of them all over the world. Not sure how many but the geocaching.com app shows the location of hundreds within a few kilometres of us here. So far we have found three little metal cylinders with screw tops and containing a rolled strip of paper on which to write your initials and date. Apparently worldwide its very popular. Paris is almost totally obscured in the app by cache locations. But you click on one and it then shows info about just that one. We were regaled with tales of holidays and day trips that were enhanced by not only the local scenery but also an extra frisson of solving and finding. We just took Siena to find a local dog park and also found a further two in a tree and a fake bolt in a fence post. I haven’t seen one yet

I turned 50 this past week, a quiet birthday as are most in 2020, but we were lucky enough to be able to go out for lunch on my actual birthday – there are some photos at the end of the blog from the day. This year I have a full head of hair ?. My day started with “pain au chocolat” – picked-up earlier in the week from a true French Bakery – they were fabulous.  Unfortunately, I also had an appointment at Charles Gardiner Hospital – yep first thing on my birthday I was at hospital; basically, I’ve done something to my index finger on my right hand and at this stage no-one is sure what.  I did have a private consultation on Thursday – which cost me, but he was none the wiser, as were the two doctors I saw Friday morning.  At this stage I’m fine to continue as is, but we do think that I will need an operation on it at some point.  Very glad that I can continue as is because on Monday I start a four week contract for work.  When I got home from the hospital – there were two bunches of flowers waiting for me (thank-you) and a book – the book is a bread book – which I’ve already made the first loaf of bread from.  This was a gift from Pat and I think he had an ulterior motive.  I’ve made the decision that I’m going to work my way through the book, cover to cover,