Phasmid encounter

Tom continues in his role as stick insect man. Today we found this phasmid which looks like an angophora leaf.

Today

Lunch on the deck with Jon, Jill and Robin. It's around 23"C today - really nice.
Tom is happy because he is going to the fishing tackle shop to get some bait and a float.

Walking Map

The Walk

Where have we walked Gillian and Robin to:

Retreat Reserve

The Castlehaven Reserve

Oriel Reserve

Turret Reserve



We have looked at several of the Griffin homes and some of the Bill Lucas glass houses.



While the circular walk climbs around 100 ft up from the house to Edinburgh Rd and the village, coming back past the tennis courts and walking between The Parapet and Sortie Port.

We sat on the top of the northern escarpment and looked down into the trees. Everyone was well exercised by the end of the walk and looking forward to lunch.

A Walk through the Crag

I can't tell you where the path starts because you would have to be a local. But the clue is the wooden fish. An afternoon stroll to the water's edge with Grandpa and Grandma. Tom culdn't resist throwing a sandball at Alex. Nick only slipped into the water with one shoe once. We encountered some kookaburras.

Grandma and Nick visit the Art Gallery

Grandma and Nick get snapped against some modern art.

In the John Schaeffer gallery of art from the Victorian era based on stories and legends.
The Cezanne - purchased by the NSW Art Gallery for $16.2M. They are still funding it.

Grandma and Nick at the cafe having a chicken and mayonaise sandwich.

Gillian takes a closer look at some of the Gallery's Renaissance Art.
In the old style galleries off the modern travertine foyer. The James Fairfax Galleries.
Nick takes in some sculpture.

Hobie Porter - Suspension

I went to Hobie Porter's latest gallery exhibit at Arthouse in Darlinghurst. It was well attended and a sellout. The latest pictures focus on the majestic landscape from the heights across the caldera of the Tweed Valley with his signature leaf studies suspended in mid air and mid stream.

The pictures have movement and intensity with interesting asides like a leaf disintegrating or a mandala of leaves forming infront of the landscape. Some smaller studies showed freeway exits with rainforest leaves. Next May 2009 The Tweed Regional Art Gallery will show a retrospective of Hobie Porter's work over the last two decades. He is definitely an artist to follow and purchase if you have the opportunity.

Tom is home

Hi I'm Tom,
and I'm back home now. Thanks for all the great cards and flowers when I was unwell.
I made it to scouts this week and I finally got my scout scarf and my scout craft badge as well as being invested. Today I had a swim, it was quite warm here. I'm back to school on Monday - I didn't time that too well, but the school holidays are almost here.
Stay cool, Tom!!

Retreat Beach Lodge has been re-styled

Hi, this is a note to those of you who have had the opportunity to stay in the Crag with us. Previously accommodation was quite rustic with some of you camping out on air beds and swags. Welcome to IKEA 2008 and a very good mattress from My Yawn at Mascot, yes it is an orthapaedic. I haven't lashed out on the total look yet with white paint and the plantation look of India Hicks but you can only follow the blog and see. In the meantime, you are welcome to visit in our improved guest room.

Captain Starlight

Tom spends his hospitalisation playing a computer game called Zelda Windwaker.
In a virtual world where he must solve puzzles and go on quests. One of the other patients who is a bit of a computer whizkid is helping Tom find his way through the game and to complete all of the tasks. The game is played on a Starlight Foundation game console that can be wheeled from room to room – and looks like a large purple bubble. There is also a Captain Starlight room on the floor at the hospital, today we all played computer games and I got to do some colouring in. We watched the end of Mary Poppins on the big projector screen. One of the kids played Jenga with amazing accuracy and only got distracted at the last minute and crashed the tower with an elbow. There is also a keyboard and headphones to use in the room. Which I spend a little time playing pieces from my memory. Best of all the time passes and we watch the weather move across the sky from the windows of the rec room. If you ever get a chance to donate money to the Starlight Foundation I can thoroughly recommend them as a worthwhile charity.
http://www.starlight.org.au/

Tom is in hospital

For the last week Tom has been in hospital. He got very sick last weekend and presented with a lot of chaotic and psychotic symptoms. For the last couple of years Tom has been on ADHD medication and we initially thought that his episode was a side affect.

The team in the Children's psych ward at The Sydney Children's Hospital has been treating him this week. He is now stable and back to his normal self. However he is still likely to be in hospital for another week.

Nobody likes their child to be unwell especially with a set of symptoms as difficult to treat as those that Tom presented with. Nevertheless he is going to be ok and for the forseeable future is off the ADHD medication and may have to take a mood stabiliser instead.

Tom is 11 years of age and coping with this type of illness in your eldest child is very difficult for everyone in my family so your prayers and wishes are well appreciated.

Milly Molly Mandy

When I was a little girl my Uncle called me Milly Molly Mandy, and I still look a little bit like her. I have read all of the books as a child and identified alot with this little girl who grew up in a home surrounded by her grown up relatives. Just get me a hat....

Ruby goes to Town

Ruby took part in the Junior Legacy Public Speaking Award - Western Division Final at Parliament House in Sydney. She spoke about Aboriginal Self Determination in an eloquent and expressive manner. Her impromptu speech was equally well done. The competition was extremely keen and we were impressed with her ability and style.
It was great to have Ruby and Paula to stay with us for this occasion.

Leo comes to dinner

We had a flying visit from Leo, Ange & Ben. As you can see Leo is in fine form. We had a lovely dinner and an evening in Sydney - even though it is raining continually. It was a great end to the week.