Catching up with news - up to date

At the end of March, we left Canberra for the last time. Did a final clear out and clean up of the apartment at Greenway, locked it up and hoped it would sell. It did. Finally, after four nail-biting months. We don't have the final settlement yet, but are expecting that in early May.

It felt weird to be driving out of Canberra knowing that on future visits we would be just that, visitors. But we will be back there regularly. In fact I've already been back once, sadly for a funeral. An old friend Rosemary Delahunt died after a long struggle with motor neurone disease. It was a great send off, lots of singing from her music ensemble "Can Belto", led by Moya Simpson and John Shortis.

Went to stay with Robyn and Chris at their new house in Forster. Here they are at the Forster coach stop, putting David on the coach to Broadmeadow. Then train to Sydney, and plane to Cairns.

David went to Cairns to encourage Marjory to move south and live with family. Or more accurately, to live with us. She has not been managing living alone very well in recent times. Peter has just been up there with her again, and has now brought her back with him. Tomorrow, they arrive in Forster.

Not an easy decision for Marjory. She is leaving friends, her house, her garden, her car and also Lifeline Cairns, for whom she has been running a Visitors Program for some years. 

Marjory's golden orb spider in the carport

After his trip to Cairns, David and I met up in Sydney at Linda and Phil's. There was a big lunch at Surry Hills in honor of Elaine and Greg and Fred's birthdays, and for Lindsey. Lindsey was on a quick visit from the Sunshine Coast, bringing Sharloe, and Julian came from Canberra with Keliyah. So we were able to see both our little granddaughters in the one place at the one time. A rare treat!

L to R: Linda, Sharloe, David, Kirstin and Keliyah

Lindsey with Sharloe

L to R: Fred, Julia, Peter, Kirstin

Sharloe

Now we are up to date with the news of our doings since Rover All Over went quiet in December 2010.

Here's what we did today: a walk around the first 9 holes of the golf course we now live next to. 

It was alive with birds, this one is a scaly breasted lorikeet. Our landlord calls them "greenleeks"

Then as every day, a swim in the ocean.  This time at Diamond Beach. Lots of people there today.  It has been a warm and long Easter break and the local resorts seem to have a lot of guests. We even managed to catch a couple of waves. Still feel faintly disbelieving as we towel off.  Are we really living here? Don't we usually have the heaters on by ANZAC day? Swimming, at the end of April?