Off to school

A really long and emotional day today as we took Olivia to Timbertop to start Year 9. What an adventure for all of us.

We started off well, getting away at the designated time and in spite of delays on the ring road, making good time to arrive about 10:30. A busy time ensued, meeting the Head of Unit, unpacking, writing O13 on dozens and dozens of labels that I had sewn on all manner of things over the last few weeks.

Lunch with the unit, meeting new families and taking a few photos kept us all occupied until 2:30 when we assembled to hear the Headmaster's address. A few dos and don'ts for students and parents and by 2:50 we were being invited to say our goodbyes and leave so that the programme could start at 4pm.

That was it! Both Olivia and I were a little emotional and trying not to fall apart for each other's sake. Meanwhile Bill teased us both to cover his own unease. We decided to walk to the car and leave quickly so that Olivia could meet up with her friends and start her grand adventure without us. We hope she has a great year and enjoys her journey!

Bike ride

Today Olivia and I decided to ride from Port Fairy to Koroit along the Warrnambool rail trail. It was fine and cool (20degC) and the breeze kept us cool on the way up. The outward journey took a little over 2 hours and was slightly uphill all the way. We were glad of the track markers encouraging us onwards. After a lovely lunch in a little cafe in Koroit we embarked on the journey home, confident in out ability to ride out the slight downhill all the way. We hadn't counted on the fierce headwind that slowed us down and our increasingly sore behinds! We managed the return leg with more frequent stops in 1 & 3/4 hours. For me it was probably 5 km too far but we are both proud of our effort (a little over 36km in all). We are looking forward to a shower as soon as we can move again and have decided against our nightly walk today.

Olivia is home!

After a fairly frustrating time going from gate to gate everytime the screens updated, I eventually found my beautiful daughter returning from Japan. I am sure she has grown! It seems that everyone had a fantastic time, many thanks to the teachers willing to take 23 excited young people on a tour of a very different country. The debrief took all afternoon and we were both eager to hear of the other's adventures.

We continued our chat over present wrapping and tag making and it is starting to feel a little more like Christmas here with some presents under the tree and plans for Christmas cooking tomorrow.

Olivia is glad to be home and we are very glad to have her back home with us.

Sunday lunch

Bill and I had a delightful lunch today with Vlad and Elena at their home. Great food in ever plentiful quantities, great conversation and an opportunity to catch up on some Russian history along the way. We marvelled at the courage it takes to decide to come to another country (a very long way from home) with no guarantee of work and with two children. The age of the explorer has not ended, merely changed form.

The work Christmas lunch today was at Gill's Boathouse. We sat on the balcony and had a nice meal overlooking the lake. In honour of my sister I chose the lemon and macadamia tart for dessert. It was lovely accompanied by a strawberry and clotted cream. And no surprise - Stephen didn't make it. He probably knew that I was planning to waylay him and quiz him on the work he promised me weeks ago and has been avoiding ever since.

We have had a very busy weekend!
Up at 3:30 to take Olivia to the airport; home to take the dogs to the kennel for their overnight treat;
Off to the dancing breakup to collect Olivia's exam results - Congratulations for first class honours in her tap exam;
Into Melbourne for Bill's work Christmas do -  a great night celebrating 20 years of ROV. The photo montage included a pic of Olivia as a baby at the family style gathering held that year. The dinner was very good and a few drinks were enjoyed as for once we didn't have to drive home. Nearly 250 people attended the function in the River Room;
Overnight at the Crown Metropole with a great buffet breakfast this morning;
A cuppa with Bon who is looking a little better than she did on Friday, then;
Off to Ballarat for the car club Christmas lunch at Pipers on the Lake. Again, a nice meal in good company;
Finally we are home, and after collecting the dogs, I am looking forward to an early night and a good sleep before facing work tomorrow. Very little food is required as I have been well fed over the last two days!

Christmas cooking

Feel like I have been non-stop running this term. Olivia was no sooner back from paddling on the Glenelg than we were washing and repacking most things for her trip to Japan. All done finally and thinking about retiring for the night as we have to be up at 3:30 tomorrow to see her off.

We found a little time to bake Christmas cakes last Sunday so that is one step towards Christmas for us. Olivia is old enough now to do all the mixing while I prepared the tins and the cakes look great in spite of me forgetting the almonds!

I haven't had a moment to look for a recipe for my sister but I'll do that next week. I too think that she saw the recipe while visiting.