Time flies

Hard to believe a month has passed since I last updated this. Steph promises she will put pen (fingers) to paper (keyboard) one day, but for now you get my take on life.

After last months theme of sickness, we are all a lot better now. Life is now in full Adelaide swing. Steph, Hannah and Hosea are involved in a playgroup, kindergym (climbing etc for Hannah), and Spark - an afterschool programme for school kids that Steph is helping lead. Hannah sometimes joins in with the 5 year olds, and Hosea charms everyone - except for one girls who thinks he is scary as 'he just keeps staring at me'. I've had a word to him, but don't really see the problem with scaring off girls at his age.

I still have work as my main activity - funny that. The weeks seem to pass designing different bits of buildings that then seem to get changed. Lesson learnt - never throw anything out as designs can come full circle.

We've managed to do a bit of looking around the city/countryside. One fine late winters day we went out to Henley Beach, which is a suburb similar to... New Brighton in Chch or maybe Kohimarama but cheaper. We went out to go for a walk along the wharf, but it took quite a while to get far from the car as we parked beside the erosion protection (big rocks) and Hannah kept climbing up and down - see photo. We finally had a quick zip out to the end of the wharf and back, and then decided to have an early dinner watching the sun set. Hosea was quite taken by it - see the photo. I think he was more interested in the seagulls who of course were interested in what we were eating. We were the only people having a picnic in winter at Henley beach but I figured that we are allowed to act like immigrants.

Speaking of immigrants and cultural differences, I can add to our list of 'oddities' (to us) that we've observed. I am aware that some Adelites (Adeladians?) read this blog, so I'll explain that what we find odd/funny is not wrong - just different. I may have mentioned before, but I think the national meal would be parmigiana with donuts and iced coffee. For those who don't have an Italian heritage, parmigiana is schnitzel (typically chicken) with a tomato sauce and cheese. Other food names that are different - Dagwood Dogs = Hot dog dipped in batter on a stick. Kitchener Bun = Cream donut.

I think the next story reflects more on the NZ accent rather than South Australians, but Steph ordered a book from a book shop. I note came in the mail saying that the book had arrived. It was addressed to....Stiffanie Wood. Australians find this hilarious. Steph doesn't as much.

Back to our adventures. One other weekend we headed out to Hahndorf and a pet farm. Hannah and Steph tried their hands at milking a cow. Then we went out and fed the Emus, Alpaca, Kangaroos etc.. The next day we headed back to Warrawong Sanctuary for more of the same with some friends. Yes friends, we have made some through shared interests of church, small kids, and grown up board games. Had a game last night and the final result looked like the Tri-nations standings - NZ first, Australia second.

Fathers Day saw Hosea expound on what he thought a Good Father should do - I took the photo mid spiel. Yes, that is two bottom teeth. Also a top one to match. He's now sort of crawling - he drags himself around the house. Hannah has learnt to put things up to get them out of his way. Problem with this is that it leaves no where to sit as the seats get covered with his and her toys (haven't figured out the reasoning why he's not allowed to play with his toys, but then I'm no three year old).

Speaking of Hannah, she's enjoying being three and a half, with all the fun and minimal responsibility that entails. She will start Kindergarten next year, so it will be one morning a week preparation during November and December.

I seem to be jumping around a bit (like Hannah was jumping into the balls at the playground the other day).

The weather over here hardly seems the 'Mediterranean climate' that Wikipedia expounds. Last month was the wettest August they have had for 25 years. Seems like drought is not the problem forecast for this summer. Rather it's likely to be locusts. And yes, I have checked - the rivers aren't running red - just brown.

The weather has caused the odd problem getting to work - the footbridge near the bus stop had a bit of water running over as well as under. Otherwise it's amazing to see the damage to trees caused by drought (roots weaken), heavy rain (soil weakens), and strong winds (timbeerrrr). Normally I don't park under trees as I have to clean bird poo off. I think bird poo is easier to clean off than a fallen gum tree!

A bit of minor flooding is nothing compared to a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. That was a shock to us. Amazing that the injury toll was so low.

I must have rabbited on long enough so I'll stop now, but please comment if you want to know anything more.

We'll be back in NZ at Christmas. Steph & kids back on the 14th, me on the 23rd. Returning 8th Jan.