Gembrook Countryside

We went on this really nice walk in the early morning on our last day at the Retreat (just ended). We had not walked east before and we saw three baby foxes cross our path. There were cows in a field, and plenty of birds, and scenes like this one. Definitely worth sharing.

Gembrook Scenes

Even on a hot day the Retreat does look welcoming. In the distance is a carpark and come car cover. The main house is not easily seen from this entrance.

From the main house we are able to now see the Hut. Recently trees have been cleared to improve the 'fire plan' at the Retreat, and this has allowed the Hut to finally be visible.

That distand field, just south of the Pack Track, is so often majestic in the glow of the sun. The Retreat's postition, close to the top of a ridge, enables such a view.

Moisture hanging in the air in the early morning. Soon it will rise. It will come down again as rain and the cycle starts again.

Evening coming on and a first quarter moon glowing with the power of one that is full.

Gembrook Shelves

Another project at the other window was the remaking of shelving to replace the old variety that was there before the windows were installed. Peter used existing materials to support new shelving material. The combination, though very rough, turned out to work very well. Steve gave the job of sanding the shelf edges to his son Caleb.

A Room with a View

With a Gembrook window view like this one how can anyone go wanting. But with the window in the very corner, Peter hoped that the room itself would feel OK and not just feel like a large wooden box. The series here is a record of a recent five day construction effor. There is still more to do, like the strapping over the ply joins and new cork tiling along one side of the room, but a good chunk of the work was covered, much to Peter's delight.

North Wall Look

Finally the north wall is complete with its five new windows and weatherboard cover. Last month's blog covered the building work involved in the last two sections. At that time the painting still needed to be done and scaffolding not been removed because of that. This is a very recent picture of the finished look... pretty fantastic. Looks like it had always been there.

This is how the north wall looked a few years ago. The windows were kept high in order to catch as much hot air in the wall cavities as possible. This hot air was then to be drawn down into pipes in the concrete floor foundation. It was a very speculative science experiment that failed to work.

The Walls of Jericho

Just recently our serial story, which began at Abraham at the beginning of the year, has now reached to Fall of Jericho. The Israelites marched around the city for seven days and on the final day they marched around it seven times at which point the walls (four kids forming a square) all collapsed. Over half of the kids were in the enactment, complete with gold coloured covenant box. It was quite dramatic. Some of the kids would never have heard the story before.

For craft, the kids made angels to hang from their Christmas trees. Because of the different age groups and their different leaders (who all interpret things differently) many differnent angel 'looks' resulted.

November Funks

Bec and Jethro relaxing for a moment on the new decking. With three kids about the place Bec and Gord are doing an amazing tag team effort. We have been able to visit them on and off recently which has been super.

Jethro is growing fast in body strength. How is this for a stretch to look up at bigger people? No trouble for Jethro. He is showing signs of wanting to stand and enjoys those times when he is assisted to his feet from the ground or the lap...

Jasper showed his Poppa his special tree. Piper wanted to stand in there too but this was his spot and he wasn't budging. He is getting a lot of self-assurance and self-confidence and was able to bring his feet up the opposite branches to hold a 45 degree pose. Pretty cool.

Gord let the kids do this. Jasper was not so sure but bravely stretched his body up and found he could stand and even look toward the camera. That's pretty brave stuff. It was no trouble for Piper who took pleasure being higher than us. The car? The old Funk car is going to pasture some time soon... to car heaven.

How cute is this. Piper has made 'Sally' a special nest to lie on. 'A dog on a nest' is a blending of motifs that only a child could conceive. Piper made a special play-space for she and Sally in the very front of the yard in the cool of the afternoon.

Jasper took this picture with a little bit of tutoring from his Poppa. If Piper can take a picture then so can he!

Dean's Prize

Peter was really chuffed to receive the Whitley College Dean's Prize for Pastoral Studies for 2009. At the college's speech night the prizes were given out and Peter went on stage twice, once for finishing up a course (Grad Dip Pastoral Studies) and again for the prize and cheque. It was very encouraging and motivating for Peter. This year saw the completion of a 12,000 word essay on pastoral care of children. A great experience.

Meals with Dave and Dan

We will often sqeeze in a meal with our Dan and our nephew Dave. If Peter is away Barb will still make a time with them.

In a few weeks time Dave will make twenty-one. And well done Dave!

Jethro Meet Sophie

Jethro's stomping over Sophie's straw happened over a month ago but it is worth sharing. Sophie did not seem to mind. She is getting used to kids.

Teacher's Acrostic

This seemed a nice thing to add to our blog. Teachers, especially in public schools, are doing it hard these days with little reward or respite. By putting on the lense of a young child, (Peter) would like to suggest that a more positive view of the teaching profession is right up there in the mix. A young child is still capable of seeing her teacher in the glowing terms of the Acrostic. This is human nature of innocence at its best. It is a God given gift that must be nurtured in and for schools.

Goulburn Sunrise

Just recently, we chanced to visit Seymour early one morning. The Goulburn River was still high from the rains last month and it was such a beautiful and peaceful sight. Even though the hot dry weather seems to have taken hold again in Victoria, the sight of this place offered us hope for something better. The morning lighting gave depth to everything. It was a dreamy time for an odd sort of day that followed.

Funk Visit

It is always an exciting time when the Funks come for an overnight stay. The picture shows them just arriving and Jethro seemed to have grown even over the eight days since we had seen them last. The three children made getting to bed a bit of a challenge. Two wanted loads of repeat nursery rhymes and the other wanted a long walk up and down the street. But we got there OK.

In the morning, Piper watched Shrek for the first time. Pretty soon after that, she was directing her own version of Shrek on the front porch with Barb and Jasper roped in for certain roles.

It was decided that we must go out to celebrate Peter's completion of his essay draft. There might still be a lot more to do on it but it seemed a good excuse at the time. We went to Azurea Cafe/Restaurant, the place where we ride our bikes to for coffee.

Jethro had a sample of Barb's risotto. He has become very comfortable with Barb. On the other hand, he views Peter with some suspicion.

Afterward, we strolled through Brand Junction, situated across the road from Azurea. In the central area, there was free face painting on offer and Piper and Jasper were in on that. Piper chose a dolphin and Jasper a crocodile.

Then there were rides and ice-cream for some and more coffee for others. We had a very nice time of it with Bec, Gord and the kids, and we have wonderful memories to share. We are so thankful for the gift of time and chill-out.