Disaster has struck

Hector the inspector!

As usual, they needed Jim's expertise and strength !

The tree came down across power lines yesterday at 12.30 (lunch time). It was about 4 doors up, and there was another just round the bend, that fell on a house....we heard the metallic crash onto a tin roof. These pictures were taken before all the tree cutters, road barriers, and electricity people arrived. Then it was mayhem. Chain saws buzzing away in the night, with lights shining everywhere...those poor workers, it was absolutely tipping it down.

The power was off exactly 24 hours and 5 minutes....the longest and coldest 24 hours of my life!! This morning.....no hot shower, just a kettle full of hot water in the sink, and then in the car and off to MacDonald's for breakfast, and to thaw out. Finally, at lunch time, when it was warmer outside than indoors, the power came back on. First thing.....the longest hottest shower you can imagine, followed by Jim doing exactly the same thing. So now we feel faintly normal, but the house is taking a while to heat up.

We have consulted Angus about getting a generator for future 'incidents' like this. I don't want to go through that misery again.........EVER!!

Happy 70th Birthday Jim

Here is Jim as a primary school pupil. Always cheeky, and always a handfull!! So what's new??

The next stage...a fit, healthy cyclist...with cups and awards for his cycling prowess. Hard to believe, I know!!

And finally, here he is...a much more up-to-date version...taken a couple of years ago. Can you see the difference???   Can you heck as like!!

I have to say...given his life-style, he has done remarkably well. So, as they say....."Keep on trucking"!!

Before and after

This is the state of the driveway and back garden in the midst of a huge cut back. All the tools were out! Me with my nippy hedge trimmer, and Angus wielding the huge hedge trimmer, the chainsaw and the pole saw. It was a mammoth effort, because the trees had gradually encroached on the driveway, almost without us noticing, likewise the hedging near the pond. Anyhow, with Angus doing the heavy work, and me running backwards and forwards with endless barrow-loads, it was at last looking better, and then the finishing touch was Angus using the big blower to get rid of all the leaves.
 I hardly knew it was the same place!!  Wonder how long it will last!!

So all in all, a good start for the Winter.

And doesn't it look better?

45 and counting!!

Well folks.....the look says it all!! Jim is thinking "can it really be our 45th anniversary? seems more like 100"!!
So here we are. D-Day, 6th June, 2014, and 45 years ago we were nervously waiting in the Sydney registry office. The wind was bitter, it was wet, and I had the worst head cold you can imagine. Still, they do say that the first 45 years are the worst....in that case, bring on the next 45!!  As if we shall see that!!

At least we remembered this year. Usually it is a few days later when we suddenly realise we have missed it again. Still, it's really not that important now.

I have to say......what a likely-looking pair!!