A Little Outing

I forgot to mention in Sunday's post that we'd had a little outing to Timboon on Saturday, just for a short change of scenery. The weather was cool, but completely still along the walking trail. We parked near the trestle bridge, had a wander along there, and then about 10 minutes in the other direction. Then we drove round to the Icecreamery for an ice-cream, and then it was back home.

Posting these photos reminds me that I now have the Sandisk app on my phone to manage the storage and saving of travel photos, using a tiny Sandisk USB. I think I'll be able to manage. The travel agent says we have to have the WhatsApp on the phone as well, as that's how all the tourist operators in Europe get in touch. I've downloaded it, but it's only half set up.  She's going to do all that for us....

  

This and That for this Sunday

It was soup Sunday today, after the church service. Pastor Colin led the service with Holy Communion and a Baptism - the 2nd baptism in two weeks. So, the service was a blessing to Kai and his parents, and to us the congregation.  Then it was warm fellowship blessings at a hot soup lunch.  Raelene's Lamb Shank and Vege soup was delish. Of course I had to have a little meeting with three others about a matter coming up at the end of the month. 

We had a second to last meeting with our travel agent during week, to iron out the last few bits and pieces; the last catch up will be in a couple of weeks, to pick up tickets and other relevent information. Any day that's not a travel day on the escorted tour section, seems to have free time in the afternoon, so I've been doing a bit of research for places to see and visit, at each of the main cities where we're staying. I think they'll require a taxi to get to, and back again, as not enough time to work out train routes, or they have long walking routes before arriving, and then walking around at the place of interest. 

I've finally worked out how to administer the church's blog from home (so I don't have to spend time at the church office on this task). I can give 10-15 minutes every now and again to tidy it up, and then find a workable way forward to post, when to post, and what to post about.  We'll see how that goes.

Running Late

I'm running a bit late with this post. We both had a late afternoon meeting at the church office - we're gradually finalising the closing down of the Parish - this should be the last meeting; we're planning a morning tea at the end of August to mark the occasion. Then Jim and I went for a pub meal to debrief and relax. I've been busy sorting out things for tomorrow - I need to go here, there and everywhere, but all shall be well. 

This and That for This Sunday

We caught up with some friends for lunch today, at Proudfoots Boathouse. We all went with the flathead, which was about the simplest dish on a complicated menu. The restaurant was closing for the next two weeks, so most dishes weren't available, as well, as they were emptying out the fridges and freezers.  At least there was enough flathead!  We had plenty of catching up to do.

So, we never go anywhere much, and would you believe, we were invited out to tea tonight - a spur of the moment thing - from friends at church this morning. We accepted, with alacrity, as it might be weeks/months before they ask us again.

There have been a few little things to sort out for church, messages to send, and a meeting or two to set up. Apart from that, I'm just trying to keep warm.   

Books for Travelling

This is my selection of books for travelling. This is the third or fourth time I've bought "The Forgotten Garden". It's perfect for airport and aeroplane travel, and it's been my "go to" book for the start of each of the overseas trips. I then leave the book in a drawer of a hotel room, for someone else to enjoy. I'll choose one of the other ones for the trip home. Weight of bags is always an issue, so maybe I'll pack the third one, or maybe not. I'm not particularly interested in taking the kindle; the less charging up items the better. Last time, I found listening to my favourite radio programs on playback, was the perfect way to unwind - didn't require a whole lot of concentration, and gave some normality to busy days.  

Coming Together Nicely

We had a good meeting with the travel agent during the week, and she's already updated the itinerary with train bookings and transfers - just those panicky items on my list to be going on with...

The new towelling items I bought a week ago have gone into storage - a nice treat unpacking those when we get back from Europe.

The new printer is set up as far as hardware goes, and the laptop is recognising it in the menu for printing, but somehow I can't understand the directions for the software to make it go... Our technician support person needs to do a visit to sort out a problem with Jim's computer, so he'll be able to address my printer set up at the same time. 

We had a lovely baptism at church this morning, a poppet of a baby in a well loved christian family. 

Packing dilemmas are still to come... Every time I put something on or off, I'm thinking "Will I take this or not?"

 

Panicky...

A couple of nights ago I got panicky about this overseas trip coming up, and realised I had only about 6 weeks to get everything organised. Spent several hours tossing and turning.

The answer to this type of stress is to make a LIST. Very calming. And I've already made a start - I've ordered new lens' for my long distance specs - the transition coating was getting all blotchy.

We have an appointment with the travel agent tomorrow to get started on train bookings and tickets - various transfers and pick ups throughout the month. It prompted me to spend time on the travel bible.  I'd done a rough draft a couple of months ago, but it was time to finesse each entry and plastic pocket in the display folders. I followed the same system last time, which was very successful. Each day the folder is opened to that day's activity and information, and tickets and paperwork are transferred to the daypack ready to go. At the end of each day any paperwork still in hand is returned with any brochures or flyers collected during the day, and everything is in order for writing up the photo journel when we get home. The bible is spread over 3 folders, with the third containing the information for the Germany days at the end, plus documents for insurance, and copies of passports etc

The labels are just clipped to the page at this stage; still making amendments as we go along. Will print onto proper sticker labels before we go. The printing in the photos hasn't come up very well, but you get the idea.

This and That for This Sunday

I got my 25/26 financial year paperwork filed away into its archive box yesterday - well done me! The 24/25 year box went into storage and last year's into that slot ready for access if required. It's a much easier business than it was several years ago, as we've simplified our affairs over the years since Jim retired.

I just love looking for pictures re storage and filing.  There's so much to choose from!

This afternoon we had our monthly outing to Officeworks, topping up on paper, pads, pouches, ink cartridges and a small Canon printer. The current Canon printer is not doing so well, not well enough for photo printing - all that photo printing coming up from October. Spent some time looking at their travel accessories, but nothing there that we don't already have.

Before that we called into Harris Scarfe to spend a $300 gift card, that was gifted to me six months ago from the city council. In recognition of 25 years service as a school crossing supervisor. Stocked up on towels, face washers and kitchen hand towels, so should be right in that respect for the next couple of years. Our current bath towels will become bathroom hand towels, and the current bathroom hand towels will become rags - they're so thin, they're hardly good for drying hands. 

Last but not least, the school crossing gear is packed into the car - did that between the rain showers.  A shortish term for me once again, with long service leave happening in September.  

A Glorious Travel Day

It was a glorious travel day back from Adelaide yesterday. Beautiful pale blue, clear skies the whole way. No biting wind, spitting rain or glaring heat to endure every time we alighted for a refreshment stop. The paddocks and vistas were green and green. So different to last year. It was a slow travel day for whatever reason, arrived home about 45 minutes later than usual, even though our stops were about the same length as they generally are.

We had good days and visits while in Adelaide. Mini Golf was a pleasant outing with Eloise, followed by a milkshake at the local cafe.

The house was freezing after five days of no heating; it's taken the last 24 hours to get the temperature up to liveable with the heater running much of the day, and the air con going as well, at times.

Today, the tradie turned up to clean the gutters, all good there - nothing needs repairing, thank heavens.

 

 

Ready to set off!

I think we're ready to set off... It's been more than three months since we packed up and headed to South Australia, so I hope we haven't forgotten anything. Shops, supermarkets and servos are always open these days, so not a problem with getting supplies of this, that or the other. The days are pretty much booked up with family gatherings so that's all good. 

We've got a couple of stops to do on the way over, so will be doing the run into the motel at the end of the day, when the roads and streets are extra busy; there could be rain, but we'll be fine.