Queen of the Figure 8's

Another milestone in my motorcycle riding 'journey'! As of today I am a licensed motorbike rider.

The bit of paper I'm displaying says I am COMPETENT.  YAAAAY.

Smarty Pants

My practical skills riding test went rather well - out on the highway and around town.  The low speed skills were a bit more challenging for me but I managed them well in the controlled environment.  My figure 8's were 'touch and go' and I completed them doing it my way whereas the instructor wanted them done using a steady throttle and light back brake - anyway he decided I could control the bike at a slow speed round the figure 8 course.

Anyway this is the start of my independent rides, enjoying the open driving lifestyle and going on the odd group rides, only on fine days.  I plan to go to the gym, supermarket and dragon boat training etc. using the bike so I need to be super careful most of the time. May there be many biking days ahead.

More golf ... success

Today we played a 27 hole Foursome competition.  It is a fun form of golf.  In this, four players play together in pairs but use one ball  between a pair and take alternate shots for each hole.  It makes for a faster game of golf and requires a degree of teamwork,

Winners are grinners!

My partner is an up and coming young junior.  Young Rebecca is 12 years old and hadn't lifted a golf club til the beginning of the year.  She has a beautiful golf swing and a good attitude so I would expect she will eventually make a name in the golf circles.

Anyway for the days event we played quite well together and it was her first game of 27 holes.  We walked the entire 27 holes while the other competitors rode in buggies so we certainly got better exercise.  We just got pipped for the best nett score over 27 holes but won the best nett score for 18 holes.  Well done Rebecca, I hope she remembers I was her first partner when she makes the pro circuit.

New VOLVO!

OUR cool new wheels.  In doing so we've also become a ONE car family!  Rising costs, fixed income and the need to economise voila ....

It will be a bit of an adjustment for both of us but with a bit of cooperation and compromise by both parties it should all be sweet.  Dave has his bike to ride in good weather and when I pass my motorbike licence test it will be suffice for zipping around town ... in good weather.

Anyway the new car is diesel - it's the XC60 D5 luxury model, it's very comfortable, very fuel efficient and surprisingly very zippy.  It has no scratches yet!  Also we are tolerant of the cliche Volvo drivers jokes. Incidentally didn't Volvo win some exciting race just recently??

Kev's 60th

Recently we made a road trip to Townsville to help celebrate a 60th birthday of a longtime friend, Kev Smith.  We've known Kev from the late 1970's and he also is a very good dental prosthiesist who does some top work on Dave's teeth.

We were treated to some fabulous food which was mainly Thai cuisine.  After we had eaten and drunk to our heart's content Kev said a few words.

 Kev and Betty - the guest of honour and his lady friend

Big brother in the middle with more of the Smith boys

Some of Kev's immediate family, his son Thomas and daughter Annabelle

brother and sister

Kev's other daughter, Cheripon

Melissa and Thomas

Cheripon and husband Darren, Kev's daughter and son-in-law

Some of the magnificent sweets that were served - they were all home made.  Note the fruit and vegie creation at the front, the watermelon, sweet potato and carrots were all carved into flowers.

The party was mainly a gathering of Kev's friends, colleagues and many of his large family.  A photo missing was of his grandchild of 7 months, young Jackson.  He is a real cutie as most kids are who aren't mobile.

Our bedroom view

We stayed at a great resort on the Riverway in Thuringowa.  Itara Apartments were beside the Ross river surrounded by walkways and tropical gardens.  It was a popular haunt for locals and visitors and we spent our fair share of frequenting the paths.  It was a beautiful spot.

Our lounge room view

We had a lovely relaxing time over three days in the semi tropics with idyllic weather.  During the time there we also managed to spend time with another fellow of the same vintage - Dubbo.

Three amigos

Golf 'Champs'

Recently Gympie Womens Golf Club held their championship over 72 holes.  We played in perfect weather and course conditions so there were no excuses for poor performances! (only oneself).

Jean Peters, Dorothy Bramley, Dell Groundwater, Virginia Reid, Lorraine Elliot  and Joy Hatton - absent Cindy Lawson and Di Bengthamy

Those in the picture fared better than the other competitors - we were winners in our own little ways.  The lady in the middle, Dell, is probably the only real golfer with a mighty swing and finesse around the green and she was the overall champion.  She is an amazing athlete for 77 years of age and who was on her deathbed 2 years ago and she has recovered to her best form.

In case you think we are a mob of old cronies who play golf, the two people missing from the picture were in their thirties so there are some youngsters among us.  Incidentally I am not pretending that I possess golf skills, I merely outlasted the others on the course, fortunately my fitness probably saved me.  Also most hackers know that on the day if they are hitting them right then that is just the luck of golf.

Yard: Pond and Pots

A new addition to the backyard in the form of a pond.  It's made out of concrete and the intended use is probably a stock drinking trough but we've adapted it for the garden - high enough to keep it free of  cane toads and the dog.  It's a good size and large enough to have a few fish and plants to add some interest to the yard.  So far we have a few goldfish and a solar pump to circulate the water.

the view from the sliding door of the house.

You can see the few water plants, we've built up a bit of a rockery in the front with some bromeliads and ground cover .  This is looking out from the deck.

The fish feeder, pump installer and general roustabout.

View of the Brommies from the deck

My new colour co-ordinated pots

The garden under the stairs is still in progress,as is the area under the deck which will house more of the shade-loving type plants - ferns, orchids ..........

The Dowd's are travelling ....

Some friends from Darwin but currently living in Melbourne, are on the Winter trek north to warmer climates.  Pam, an 'old' netballer mate and husband Greg along with 'Buddie' the beagle are on the road in search of sights, adventure, and catching up with old friends.

  We had the pleasure of their company for a couple or four days on their wending their way up the east coast.  They stayed in their van in the backyard where Buddie was able to wander around and keep Lizzi company.

The Caravan
 A very stylish and comfortable self contained van 

The Truck
 Another great BT 50 

The travellers enjoying the odd beverage!

Greg, Pam and Dave out on the deck

We recalled and recounted all the glory days of an earlier time - sigh sigh!  It was great to have them and hopefully no one caught 'the cold' that was in the household.  Happy travels guys!