Another day in paradise

Josh was made Vice Captain of his house today at school.

Quite an honour for him and naturally we were extremely proud of his achievement.

(Considering that neither of his parents were recognised by our schools- well I was but for different things…)

All the parents turn up to watch them being honoured and badged in frontof the whole school, therefore we thought it only fair that at least one of us went up to Brisbane to surprise him.

Tee won the toss and flew up to surprise him on the morning of the assembly in the chapel.

Needless to say he was absolutely gobsmacked  to see his mum and Tee was over the moon to watch her wee boy get his recognition.

And looking at the photos when she came back this evening, I can’t wait for the whole family to be there for the rest of his final year.

Another one fell out the tree at dinner time.

This time it was a baby possum. I wonder what the correct term is for a baby possum? A cub? A rat?

I think they must be getting pissed on my peach tree.

Anyway, this one is too small so we ended up feeding it milk and sticking it back up the tree once it had recovered from the shock. (Mainly of Haggis deciding to try and eat it first)

So he’s now stuck up this tree crying like a stuck pig and his mum has buggered off.

It’s going to be a long night.

Stayed up last night till 2.00am trying to get to sleep.

With no luck,  I sat on the computer and chatted to friends on Facebook with their live chat application.

It was great fun talking to people I hadn’t “spoken” to in ages and it got me thinking to what it was like when I first moved here in the late 80’s.

No email, no work computers, and phone calls were really expensive. Now, I just take it for granted all this technology at my finger tips.

Anyway, as I sat and typed at my desk  with the door open to the garden trying to get some fresh air at some god awful hour of the night, a bloody possum fell out of our peach tree.

I just about died on the spot.

But he was a really friendly wee thing and after recovering from both our shocks I gave him a plum and he sat and watched me type for the next hour or so.

Knowing my luck he’ll come back with about 20 of his mates tonight and kick up a fuss for food!

Just a magical wee moment in the middle of the night that could come back and bite my arse!

Literally.

With Mollie at rowing camp and Joshua in Brisbane, we decided to venutre into the city to celebrate Australia Day.

I remember a few years ago, AD was just an excuse for another day off from the office, however, I was absolutely blown away by the transformation in such a short period.

This is just one big party celebrating all things Australian with thousands of people in parks, gardens, pools, just partying in good spirits, eating barbques and watching the specatacle that every city puts on!

Not everyone is exactly happy about this outpouring of national pride, especially the Aboriginal community who think we’re actually celebrating the death of their nation. And you can see their point.

But lets not let it get in the way of a bloody great day out.

It’s amazing, Australia is this huge melting pot of cultures and nationalities and they’ve managed to get everyone to unify behind the flag and the common values of mateship, fair go, humour and joy of living in this country that has given us all a chance to improve our lot.

So off we toddled across the big coat hanger and watched ferry racing on the harbour, (The duck won by the way,) fly pasts, a huge “backyard” picnic in Hyde park, the Tall Ships and most of all just the huge outpouring of national pride, without it coming across as verging on xenophobic.

The twins had a ball and we walked around just enjoying it all and made the commitment to definately become citizens next year!

This weekend is Australia Day, where we celebrate all things Australian.

A barbie, beach cricket, beer and The Bard?

Yup, it also happens to be when Scots doon unner, meet up, get pished, eat Haggis and celebrate Burns Night.

So we’re all meeting at John Galloways Hoose to carry out the address to the Haggis, dressed in our kilts, and attempting to cook it on the barbie while getting drunk in 34 degree heat.

And then on Monday, the actual Australia Day, repeat the above, minus the Haggis.

We’re actually planning on becoming citizens this year, which the main benefits are…..well actually we don’t really know.

But it’s another good excuse for a piss up. Oh and not having to queue at the immigration line as we get dual passports.

Big bonus.

So all in all a fairly hectic weekend and in-between we’re having house viewing to try and sell the house.

Imagine turning up at a house to find a drunk Scotsman dressed in a kilt selling his house….wouldn’t be the first time I may add.

I went to bed last night just as America was wakening up.

And when I awoke 8 hours later I turned on the telly to watch Obama address the Nation.

I found his speach to be honest, humble and realistic.

His ability to speak in a language that can be clearly understood by all had a clear vision for ther first time in many years from an American President.

I only hope that he delivers.

I’m sure he can.

I felt privileged to watch and be part of history.

We went to the beach again today.

Another gloriously relaxing day, reading books and playing in the surf.

But, yet again, danger mouse, Sam, managed to give us a little bit of drama to make sure we never get complacent.

He managed to get stung by a Portuguese Man O’War jellyfish, otherwise known over here as a blue bottle.

He came hopping out the sea, with it’s tentacles wrapped around his foot and we managed to get them off and off he went with the life guards on the back of their quad bike to get some ice.

Although not life threatening, they sting like buggery, but after a ride on the bike and packed with ice around his foot, it was back to the serious business of lying down.

Honestly. 500 people on the beach, 1km long sand, 1000’s of litres of sea water and Sam manages to find something 3cm long that can hurt you.

Is it just me or does everyone else think Madonna should grow up.

Middle aged women pretending to be sex goddesses are actually quite freaky.

I don’t know whether the latest image for Louis Vuitton says more about her or their brand. 

Either way, I wouldn’t be seen dead in either of them. 

Now Keith Richards on the other hand. Now thats sheer class.

We’re in one of the worst recessions possible and it’s going to get worse.

What better time to be selling your biggest asset during a property downturn.

In order for us to move back to Brisbane and into our other house we have to sell Sydney and due to the timing of my start date in my new job, we really have to start marketing it now.

So we’re about to go theough our first experience of selling a house at auction. This is similar to the Scottish system of highest bidder gets it, but the auction is conducted outside your door in front of a baying crowd at a given date.

A bit like a house clearance when the baliffs throw everything out on the pavement.

Naturally this process is conducted by an auctioneer and an estate agent and is marketed heavily in advance of the date.

So, yesterday, the official photographer turned up to take some snaps and I must say has made a silk purse out of a sows ear quite frankly.

I can tell you, my grass was not that green when he turned up, for a kick off!

 However if it’s good enough for Victoria Beckham, a little bit of jiggery pokery with photographic tricks, it’s good enough for us.

Hopefully its enough to convince someone to buy it at top dollar.

Thats if anyone still has a job in March!