Kerry's "Letter from Australia" - August 2007The weather is continuing in much the same vein as last month, cold and wet. Very Wet!! We had the coldest day here (Melbourne) for 10 years this month. There was even snow, just up the road from us.
Lauren had a whale of a time at the game reserve, she was busy from sun up to sun down but that is how she likes life! The power went out for four days during a snow storm and the temps went down to minus 10. You don’t expect that from Africa, do you? She said “I haven’t been able to shower for four days, but don’t worry, I don’t smell, it’s too cold to sweat...” Lovely!! They were boiling up hot water for the guests to use on an old gas cooker that was brought out of retirement for the occasion. Cooking was also a problem too, she was working 14 hours a day during this period because everything was taking so much longer. The owners did send me a glowing report of her time there, saying what a wonderful, hardworking, quiet, demure girl she was and was a credit to us. Well I don’t know who this quiet, demure girl was, because no one like that has ever lived in this house (or the one in England)!! Lauren even said one of the African workers had nicknamed her a Zulu phrase for - peaceful one. Maybe I will get to meet this newly reborn daughter when she comes home in December for Christmas!
Well, the renovations are finished at one end of the house and we have moved into our new bedroom and both bathrooms are now in use. Kevin is starting working on the other end, more updates to follow.
Holly went off on a school activity holiday on the 31st for nine days. I will let you know her exploits next month.
Diesel (the dog) has now developed a new talent, he likes to bring bags in from the car when we have been shopping. He runs out to the boot, sits and waits, you pop the handles in his mouth and he runs in, drops the bags in the kitchen and comes out for another one. We don’t let him have any with food in though, they might not make it to the kitchen. Especially if it is chicken!! His old tail is wagging away and he is so excited. If only he could drive, I would let him do the weekly shop on his own!
For those of you who don’t know I have been busy over the last few months setting up my own online scrapbooking store. I decided as I couldn’t find a job, I would create one myself. It is a lot more involved than I thought, but it has been fun, a steep learning curve. If you want to have a look it is www.scrapinthebox.com.au
Kevin’s friend Rob, was involved in a horrific crash whilst riding home from work on his bicycle. He was hit from behind at approx 60 miles an hour and had to be air lifted to a hospital in Melbourne. He is according to the doctors, lucky to be alive. He has broken bones all over his body including his spine and pelvis. He also has some appalling injuries to his arm and back that are going to require months of plastic surgery. He has had two operations so far to pin his pelvis and vertebrae and attempts to repair his flesh wounds. It is going to be a long haul. He is however supremely fit and strong. He is the Australian road race (cycling) champion for his age group (Veterans - that is over 30). So if anyone can make a good recovery, it is him. I will keep you posted.
Love Kerry
