Trampoline Antics

At the Gembrook Retreat there is a simple round trampoline that children love to play all kinds of games on. Sometimes they put in a genuine effort that reflects the sport. Jasper showed Peter how well he could cartwheel. He did this many times so that Peter was able to make a composite picture of his very solid effort.

Caleb lives at the retreat and is four years older than Jasper, which explains his additional skills. That and his great stock of hair do stand out as pretty 'out there'.

Chestnut Harvest 2012

By taking our grandkids back to Gembrook, we were also able to join in the annual Chestnut Retreat Harvest Saturday. There were a lot of people there and from many and differing communities from near and far. The knowledge about the location and what it has to offer is slowly increasing. It was good to see.

It is always nice to look at the main house and how well the grounds are kept all year. A lot of effort is given to the place so that it has an adequate fire plane.

This is what one can see from the main house looking across at the northern ranges bordering the Warburton Valley. The distance makes it hard to expose adequately for a snap.

Blanket Dying

Barb soaked a blanket which had to be pure wool (the "only dry-clean" type) until it was drenched. She, Jasper and Jethro helped spread the gum leaves and gum nuts (also soaked) across it in rows. The blanket was progressively folded over on itself till it was literally stuffed with leaves, gum nuts and sticks, especially the way it looked when tightly rolled up.

Peter and Jasper were able to find a large stainless steel stewing pot from (yes - Savers) and we boiled the blanket roll for three hours from both ends. That was because the boiling water only just passed half way. One really needs a large copper to boil it in but we did not have one of those.

After that we waited a few more days... and presto! it worked!... at least the Box Gum leaves did a load of work leaving a strong rusty red. The rest of the stuff did more in leaving interesting textures that may or may not stay after the later washing. We don't know that bit yet. But it was good to try something very earthly creative.

This combo is supplied to show the before and after some of the Box Gum leaves had been brushed off to reveal the strong colouration.

Staying Two Nights

In the last part of last week we enjoyed the overnight company of our three grandkids again. This blog is without Jethro but he was there and actively involved. He found a toy motor bike at Savers thrift shop. Piper found a large white fluffy dog and Jasper was fortunate enough to get a complete LEGO set from there.

We are very impressed with Jasper's technical ability and determination to construct such a complex toy but he does set a high standard for himself. Peter was allowed to watch, even find parts for him but not to do any of the assembly. He read the 3D drawing very well.

Peter is working on a "Walk-along" kite, a design he received recently in Tasmania. There should be more of this later on in the context of the school. They will be made in honour of the kite designer, a man named Malcolm in Devonport presently with advanced cancer who will not be with us much longer.

Bound for Tasmania

Peter took this picture as our plane passed by the entrance to Port Philip Bay. The whole flight to Tasmania is only an hour over Bass Strait. This blog has been arranged to herald the start of a whole series dedicated to how our Easter in Tazzy went.

Tamar Valley

The Tamar Valley was our first stay. We stopped for the night at Beauty Point close to the mouth of the Tamar which flows through Launceston. There was much to see. We stopped at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine and visited Greens Beach. We stopped to take a picture of a modern apple orchard... that looks more like a vineyard.

We had quite a nice collection of sea shells after our visit to Greens Beach. These shells Peter intends taking to the school when the term commences again.

Cataract Gorge

While staying for a day at Launceston we made a special effort to walk right round the Cataract Gorge (the south side and back on the north side). This meant we had to do a fair bit of steep step climbing one way, all the way to the bridge in the distance of the above picture. It was much easier for us on the way back. Certainly it was good to really see what this famous Gorge, in the middle of the city, was all about.