Birthday girl!!

Helping Jude celebrate her birthday were:
Ess and Ray, Malcolm and Isla, Essie, Ann,
Kathy and Mike, Merv and Gail. It was a
great night and lots of laughter.

Furniture arrived!!

Almost 2 months to the day, our worldly goods from the UK were
delivered to our new home in Waikiki. The delivery guys were excellent
and unloaded, unpacked and set up the furniture all within 2 hours.
There were only 2 minor items damaged - Ray's badminton racket was
buckled and there was a very very minor tear on the settee. None of the
glassware/crockery was cracked and a very special mirror belonging to
Ray's mum also arrived safely and is now hanging pride of place in the lounge.
The pictures show Ray with the mirror and tapping the barometer which used to hang in the hallway of his mum's house. He always tapped it when he was over visiting Mum. Our LCD tv looks very tiny in this room and Ray is itching to get a 42" tv - get a job Ray!!!! The other 2 pics show the kitchen/dining/family room and the games room. (IF YOU CLICK ON THE PICS THEY WILL ENLARGE)

Cooking first meal at our house!!

Although we aren't living full time in our house yet we spent the evening there and cooked dinner. Took the dogs with us so we didn't have to rush back to our housesit. The bedroom furniture we bought locally but our furniture from the UK still hasn't been cleared through quarantine yet. Hopefully we will have a delivery date very soon. ********NEWSFLASH - furniture will be delivered next Tues 22nd - yahoo, how exciting!!!!*******

A month in and good news

Really pleased to say Jude's dad Ray is now home from hospital and recovering well from his operation. He is getting stronger and stronger each day. Thanks to everyone for the care and concern. The pictures above are of Ray and a very large Durian fruit which we didn't buy as they are known to be very strong smelling and the taste is indescribable!!! The other is Pippa and her ears being blown around by incredibly strong winds - she nearly became Mary Poppins!

And now a week later................

We can't believe it is only 3 weeks since arriving in Perth - with all that has happened it seems like 3 months!! Jude's dad, Ray, was released from hospital on Wed 2nd July only to have a relapse and be readmitted yesterday 5th July to the local hospital. Today he was transferred to a hospital in the city where he can have further extensive tests and be given the required treatment. On top of the infected gallbladder he also has an infection in the pancreas all of which is very painful. Please keep Ray and Ess in your prayers.

We have found a rental property and it is in Waikiki, a suburb of Rockingham south of Perth. It is 4 bedroom 2 bathroom, has a double remote controlled garage, powered workshop, and really lovely gardens front and back. It is only a 10 minute walk to the beach at - Safety Bay where there are dolphins, pelicans, seals, swimming and kite surfing to name a few activities! The pics below show Jude with her mum, Ess, outside the house and a view towards Penguin Island.

Although it is winter we have been having some beautiful sunny days with blue skies. There have been the most amazing sunrises and sunsets over the bay which are shown below.