Spring at Appleyard Cottage

Here are some photos Russell just took today – the daffodils planted under the Pistachio tree over the last couple of years are really taking off.

The ones down the back are as beautiful as ever too!

We spent most of the day digging all the grass/weeds out of two veggie beds, so they’ll be ready for sweet corn and tomatoes this year. We’ll need to weed and get ready another three beds for the pumpkins, potatoes and zucchini/carrots/beetroots/lettuce. Russell might try to squeeze in some watermelon too (when Justine isn't looking!).

Russell is also digging out the grass between the beds and mulching it in an effort to finally rid the veggie beds of all the nightmare grass runners that invade the beds every year!

The Asparagus bed was weeded a few weeks ago (If it wasn't for the bricks, you couldn't tell were the grass stopped and the bed started it was that overgrown!) and the first of the shoots are starting to poke there heads through - yummy. (no you can't see them - that's lettuce at the front of the photo!).

The camellia bed in the Rose Garden also received some TLC on the weekend. One of the poor Sweet Jane Camellia's had fallen over and dried out, so hopefully it'll be OK now that its finally planted.

It's Snowing at Appleyard Cottage, Woodend

Wow - It snowed today at home.

Picture of the house from the front yard

Justine was lucky enough to enjoy the big fluffy snow flakes and took lots of photos!

Two locals in the front yard admiring all the snow.


It's snowing!!!

When I got home after work - Justine, Tammie and I rushed up to Mt Macedon for a quick play in the snow before the daylight faded to dusk.

Mt Macedon with its carpet of white.

Woo Hoo - We've had the most snow at home and on Mt Macedon since we moved to Woodend in 2002. The snow on the Mountain was about 6cm deep - and so light, dry and fluffy.

We're hopeing for some more snow early tomorrow morning - very tempting to find a reason not to go to work!

Russell

The Tragic Culvert

Here's a pic of The Tragic Culvert in our driveway. We've decided to concrete up the breaks in the pipe and backfill it. The second pipe (just to the right of the trench) is in good condition thankfully.

Assuming global warming is on track everything should be sweet!


The white thing in the middle of the trench is the broken pipe.

And yes I dug out all this gravel/soil myself by hand! And I'll be putting it all back by hand!


Our Temporary Driveway

Dolphin Swim @ the Pet Porpoise Pool

Wow - what an experience.

Bill (my brother) arranged for Justine and I to have a very special Dolphin Swim at the Pet Porpoise Pool, Coffs Harbour on Friday 19 May 06. What a fabulous place.

Here's some photos of our swim. Will write a bit about it over the next couple of weeks.


Rebel (from Pet Porpoise Pool) giving Russell & Justine the pre-swim brief.


Catching a ride over to the stage...


...Dolphin Style! (Justine on her way to the stage)


Russell & Justine with Bucky and Zippy


Bucky & Zippy loved their undersides patted


Justine gets a kiss from both the boys!


Very Clever Dolphins!


On Show!


Two dolpins are better than one for a spin around the pool!


Rusell parking Bucky and Zippy at the stage after his spin around the pool


...and then there's always the hydrofoil option

A huge thanks to Bill for arranging this with the Pet Porpoise Pool and to Rebel who looked after us during the swim.

If you get a chance check out the Pet Porpoise Pool - it such a great place.

http://www.petporpoisepool.com/

Coffs Harbour & Hungry Heads Holiday 13-20 May06

Photos are on the way!

Justine and I had a fabulous time at Hungry Heads and Coffs harbour in May to spend time with Bill & Vivi (Russell’s brother and wife) and celebrate our 40th Birthdays. They are now living in Ecuador!

We flew up on the Saturday 13 May, and stayed at the Hungry Heads Eco Lodge - in a good 'ol Aussie Bush setting, just 5 mins walk to the beach and 2 mins drive from where Bill and Vivi live.



Tammie didn't come this time, and spent a week’s holiday at the Kapala Pet Resort, near Diggers Rest (on the way to the Airport). She missed us but had a good time – she probably didn’t enjoy her hydro bath but I’m sure she loved her 4 play times over the week! Tammie was very attached to our legs for the next couple of days once we returned to Melbourne!

It was great to catch up with all my (Russell's) family on the Saturday. We had an early 40th birthday dinner that night for Bill & me, then off to the Cabins.







My sister's family headed off after lunch the next day, and Justine and I moved into their Cabin with the nice wooden floors (ie no smelly carpet).

After some yummy fish and chips (hold the pepper Bill!) and a lovely rice dish (thanks Vivi), some chatting/catching up, it was off to bed.

After Mum and Dad left early the next morning, we spent the day with Bill & Vivi looking around Bellingen, enjoying the local art and shops – dodging the occasional shower!

Tuesday morning we checked out of Hungry Heads, and then spent a beautiful day sight seeing around the Doringo National Park. We had a delicious sunny picnic lunch at one of the lookouts (lovely views back to the coast) and then onto the tree top boardwalk and forest walk among the huge big trees and ferns. Eventually we made our way back to the coast and up to Coffs to check into the Pacific Bay Resort, and a relaxing evening :)









Wednesday we spent the day exploring around the Resort and went for a swim and spa before lunch. Then down to the beach for a real swim in the ocean! (just warm enough for Justine!) – very refreshing – lots of pretty stones at the beach – hey Justine.

Thursday was my 40th Birthday (& my brother Bill’s too – hey we’re twins!). Had a relaxing morning with a huge breakfast at the Resort – many helpings of Bacon, Eggs, Waffles, Fruit, Hash Browns, Fried tomatoes and Sautéed mushies. Needless to say, Russell was feeling not so well for a couple of hours after!

Bill and Vivi picked us up lunch time and whizzed me off for a Birthday massage – thankyou Bill & Vivi :). That night we enjoyed a delicious Seafood dinner in Coffs, and Vivi had a great time speaking the Lingo (Spanish) with the owners who were originally from Argentina. Bill and Vivi spent the next two nights with us at the Resort.



Friday morning was spent at the Butterfly House, then onto to the Pet Porpoise Pool for the interactive show with seals and dolphins, and of course our Dolphin Swim! We all got to have a kiss from a Dolphin and Seal and saw a very entertaining show. The Dolphins are such special creatures – very intelligent and in their heart. For anyone that loves Dolphins, we would highly recommend the experience.






Saturday – our last day, was here before we knew it! We checked out and said goodbye to the Resort, and went off to the Bellingen markets – lots of great art to see and yummy food to eat.

Then back to Bill & Vivi’s place at Hungry Heads to load up the car, and off to the Airport and back to a chilly Melbourne and 8 degrees at the Airport.

Russell and Justine

Finally a few photos of Justine and me.

Here's a picture of us on... you guessed it, on our wedding day. It was a fabulous autumn day, 19 April 2003. Mount Macedon was in all its Autumn glory :)




Just outside Cameron Lodge


Justine - sexy hey :)


Russell - most handsome!

Here's a lovely photo that Jo took of us last year.



Stay tuned for more photos as I look through our computer files.

Two Die in Cyclone Larry

Justine wanted it known that she does not condone or in anyway approve of this post!

Our Pooch - Tammie "Timeless" Cadman

This is our Border Collie Pooch Post of Tammie.

Here's Justine and Tammie at St. Earth, Blackwood (ie. Diggers Club) - Halfway between Woodend and Daylesford - and of course its Spring! (19 Sept 2004).



Tammie was born on 26 April 2002, and her registered name is Timeless. The owners nicked named her "snowy", as she had the most white on her out of all the puppies in the litter.


Tammie 24 June 2002 (about 8 weeks old)



Tammie's just lives for balls and food. Throw the ball all day for her and she's the happiest dog in Woodend.



But why is their a leadlight frog in the foreground???

He's Tammie meeting Jo when she visited from the UK in June 2005.




And for Tammie's unimpressed "why are you disturbing me on my bed" look.



Tammie is indeed a lucky dog! She now has two sheep's skins to keep her warm and cosy - one on her bed in the laundry, and now another one in the lounge room - thanks to Mum (Joan) for donating it to Tammie - it used to be Grandma's sheepskin for many many years.



Here's a typical picture of Tammie at work! She's the white dot in the middle of the picture next to the Walnut tree and round shrub, waiting for someone to throw/kick the blue ball in the foreground so she can "Round It Up".



And one day, Tammie hopes she'll have a younger brother to play with so she doesn't have to stare at Justine every week day willing her to go play outside!