Anniversary Recalled

We wish to acknowledge what would have been a 57th wedding anniversary if Peter's Dad had not passed away in January. It is good to remember such events on the calendar to recall the fine man Dad was and look again at the young twenty-three year old in the photo. Max and Val committed themselves in marriage, in a small Methodist Church in Cairns, on a hot and humid 22 March, 1952.

At Last a Western

It was with great excitement (Peter's especially) that we saw our first western together in a movie theatre. A new western is rare these days. We enjoyed it thoroughly. It had a bit for everyone. It was a western with all the usual motifs, a love story with love twists, along with well constructed characters, all woven into a good and credible story.  Appaloosa scored high on our scale of appreciation, and we'll probably purchase the DVD when it is available. Occasionally during the movie, there was a steady slowing of the pace that allowed us to put aside our impatience for action and to relax into the speed and meaning of the moment. It was a great movie to unpack, and we shared in a relaxed and enjoyable discussion about it later.

Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris (producer, director, writer and soundtrack), and Renée Zellweger.  We are grateful for the images found at: http://outnow.ch/Movies/2008/Appaloosa/Bilder/

On Old Eltham Road

Once a year on a road

Not straight not familiar

The sun peaks through

Commanding eyes to see

 

Stop and pay homage

Disembark and soak it in

Record the moment to share

The colour and mystery of a new day

Games on the Bark

When the Funks returned from Canada one of the first excursions was to this humble playground. It does not stand out ahead of any other suburban playground of its type, except that it is only a walk away from our house and we had the time.

Children. A ball. Imagination. Will they mix?

Dad kicked the ball. Who wants to kick a ball?

I do. I don't. I do.

I'm bigger now and I can jump up but I do need a push.

Thank you Jassy. That's good. I'm not scared.

This is a jail and I'm the baby dear locked in.

You are the evil king pulled by evil dogs.

Let's pretend we can't escape Jas.

The evil king will have to feed us. 

On a Rail Trail

We have finally ridden on a "rail trail". This is a converted bike path over what was once a railway line. The rail trail we chose was part of the old line from Lilydale to Warburton. We parked at Wandin and rode to Launching Place and back, a total of about 38 Kms, just enough for us to cope with.

Nice to see some running water.

Admiring the beginning of Autumn.

Continual breathtaking country vistas, and more importantly, gentle riding gradients.

Big Toys

A timely pair of large toys came to Piper and Jasper. Piper received a bicycle with trainer wheels which was just right for her. Jasper received this 'ride-on' train. He has enjoyed that. Occasionally Piper has used her power of suggestion and convinced him that it would be much more fun pushing her around with his train. She is a clever one and Jasper thinks it is fun which ever way it goes. We marvel at the timing of the gifts which we received from a friend who no longer needs them.

Gembrook Myst

The retreat generates a new and mystical dimension when a day begins with a mist. The background is softened and foreground depth is enhanced creating a natural theatre visual in any direction. Mist does not always roll in so when it does it is worth rising early and taking a stroll. We enter another world for a time a quiet and spiritual one.