Sunday

I wish I could bottle this afternoon its warming and spring coming and peaceful and sleepy. Our table won the trivia night last night on the last round so we are basking in glory and our chocolate and wine winnings. I'll have a nice bath and read a book. lovely

Scary driver

Husband doesnt drive or play golf so I thought he would like to drive the cart while I played 9 holes. It was too late in the afternoon to do 18. He was pretty nervous and had 2 speeds fast or nothing. We went up the top of one hill and there was a big pond on the other side so he just stopped dead, no brake on me yelling put the brake on or give it some gas. Anyway he enjoyed the driving so that will be good to do again, maybe, on a quiet course.

 Apart from that we took his Mum out to lunch and hung around her place. Nearly all the motels were full, dont know why it was hard to find a room. We could have stayed with his mum but shes getting older and we dont like to put her to any trouble. 

We drove back to Lithgow, nearly running out of petrol (I was looking at the symbol for ages and not registering it properly). We couldnt find a place to stay in Lithgow so drove on to Blue Mts in rain and mist and tiredness. I stopped at the first hotel I saw my husband thought we would just check it out but I didnt care if we slept on staw, I wasnt driving anymore. Was really nice and the cheapest. The next day we went to Mt Tomah Botanical Gardens which was wonderful all the cold climate plants that I love and cant grow on the coast and beautiful old trees. So we did animal vegetable and mineral. We did a guided tour which is always good, a very nice man showed us around for an hour. We'll go back in spring and see it more in bloom. 

That was our beautiful holiday.

Dubbo Zoo

We found a great motel just near the Zoo and next to the golf course. I thought we would spend 2 hrs at the zoo and then play 9 holes but we spent 6 hrs at the zoo and still didnt see everything. It was really great. It is so interesting to see animals so close. We had a talk from the keepers about the elephants Yum Yum and Cuddles, they are retired circus and zoo elephants. It was great to have time to watch them doing things with the people. As we walked up the hill to see the lions we could hear him roar that was an incredible sound. We went to see the otters but I thought we wont be able to see them but it was a great viewing area and they were running around playing. finally we saw the Galapagos turtles being feed, they can live up o 150 years we could touch them, they like being patted. Next time we go there we will stay overnight at the zoo and hear all the early morning noises. So no golf that day drove on to my mother -in-laws town and stayed there for two days

Yesterday Bathurst

Def I could live in Bathurst  its so cute like old Sydney all those beautiful houses. We went to the mineral museum which is in a restored schoolhouse, which itself is worth seeing. Its the collection of a guy from Bathurst which he gave to the town. They are very lucky its wonderful and well curated. Such a difference  arranging things well makes. I'm not very good at that so I never understood it. We spent two hours there. We went to look at a national trust house but it wasnt open so we just looked at the garden in the rain. The house was called Miss Traills house full of family collections of things, reputedly. Then we went on a the town heritage trail which mean missing turns and turn arounds but was interesting. We saw Ben Chifleys house in a very cute part of town old railway workers cottages on little blocks and tiny houses. 

Then we drove up Mt Panarama which we never intended but it was interesting. My friends father worships at the foot of Mt P the Bathurst race is the high point of his year. I think he has every year on video since video was invented. I think he thinks video was invented to record 8hr of Bathurst every year. In the phamphet  about the track in big letters were THE ROAD IS AN ORDINARY 2 LANE ROAD SPEED LIMITS APPLY. Obviously some of the dudes have some issues! Not me I did 40 on the SSES yess there is a sign saying sses. Peeking into other worlds is interesting. We had a tea at the top and there were gorgeous views over the valley to the Blue Mts. got to move off to the Zoo goodie.

The road trip

We bought a new car its really cute a hyundi i30 wagon and we are going on a road trip to Bathurst and Dubbo Zoo and whatever else we find. So this will turn into a travel blog for a little while. I love driving in the country. I feel better all up, I met one of the golf club members who has had a pacemaker for 4 years and said she has no problems with it but said she got a 2nd opinion and lots of tests before and she couldn't believe them, so she cant have been that cool about it at the time but it gave me hope that I might be as unfazed as that in a while. But it will be nice to see no one I know for a while and not get asked how I am in that pointed way. So we better go before we want another cup of tea. 

Knitting a  really nice scarf and hat, might need it cold in the country.

Riding into Pau

We are watching the tour de france started watching for the castles and beautiful countryside but now we are into the riders, I cant even blame them for taking drugs it is such a tough race. its the attraction watching real people doing real things instead of all that hollywood action stuff. Such an amazing event and all the crazy followers. Parking their RV's on the edge of cliffs. 

A Little Night Music

Big week we bought a car on monday, went to Sydney the Opera house to see a Little Night Music with Sigrid Thornton and Anthony Warlow. We had dinner at the opera house and looked over the next table there was Sigrid T how cool having dinner with her mother and others. My daughter said I wasn't to look and be embarrassing. Such a thrill. The show was wonderful. I'd forgotten what a beautiful building the opera house is and the harbor bridge and the big deep harbour at night. I like to look at the water so mysterious. I think about the aboriginals  living in its bays, fishing, only 200 years ago. 

Played 18 holes stroke, walked it ok so that was good, came 3rd in 4th division but there was only a prize for 1st and 2nd, typical, oh well, it was good to hit some nice shots. 

Sooo tired

Finally back to 18 hole comp. One of my partners plays in a cart and asked if I wanted a ride with her, thank goodness as it rained and was cold and windy. Also being the first time back playing 18 very tired. Played quite well so that was nice. 

Trouble with the house, nothing is ever simple some debate over how much rent it can get, real estate says one amount valuer another 100/week difference so that changes the loan approval. Got to the point where I kind of hope they don't approve the loan. Buying units way easier than houses and better returns through less capital gains. You always wonder about pushing things that become difficult. Often the better path is the smoother one, but then you dont gain fortitude, yeah well. 

got the house

Had a bidding war while I was playing tennis but we won we kind of ended up paying quite a bit more but really everyone is looking for the great deal in real estate but there is usually something wrong with it and you mostly end up paying a fair market price. If you pay under there is usually something wrong. Actually you probably get the best deal from developers they are moving volumes and so will give a discount. This house is in a great spot, close to town near parks school and uni and all around there are places being renovated. lovely views of the mountains. I think my sister will like living there, if she can ever afford it. Now the boring part starts solicitors and paperwork. All investments are kind of boring at least the safe ones. 

Stupid me lost my roster again and thought I was one night duty so trot up to work they said you're on tomorrow pm you can stay thro no I went home and watched unbelievable the Dutch beat Brazil great match and last night Germany cream Argentina. Makes Australia look not too bad I think Germany will win it their defense is amazing double teaming everyone with the ball. Next the tour de France we love the countryside views as much as the cycling. We love the funny stuff in sport the french team football self destroy etc. One thing in sport success seems to breed failure eventually. Team building is very difficult.