This was how it was for at least six years after the old balcony "collapsed" due to rot setting in through neglect. Peter and Steve, the property manager, schemed up a new design and Peter drew it up (over an existing photo) to get an idea how it might look. The plan was not an ordinary rectangle of decking like last time but a trapezium with the wider end opening out to the view. And as well as decking there would be a tin roof inder it to keep the front door area dry for once. The design was approved and the details nutted out.

Some weeks prior Peter came and prepared the wall and the concrete and steel footings for the three posts. Without this prep the project could not commence. Steve purchased all the necessary materials in readiness.

Because of the trapezium shaped deck and the sloping roof under int there were compound angles that Peter and Steve had to be very careful about. They made the odd 'blue' but by and large the structure came together like a well cut Chinese puzzel.

By the time the roofing was up there was growing encouragement that the worst was over. The posts had reasonable flashing at the roof to divert the rain and the wall had fairly effective looking apron flashing glued into the bricks.

At this stage the project has only reached the decking joists stage. The decking is still to come. In the four days they had together that was all Peter and Steve could do for the project. Peter will return sometime soon and add the decking and handrailing. That is still a fair bit to go but he feels that he is on the home stretch. Praise God. Plenty of God's grace in this project already.

Milestone

Well Bec our daughter reached the bit three-o and Barb got flowers and a cake to bring with us when we went there the day before. So we had a bit of cake then, and on the real day, and the cake lasted a further couple of days at least because Bec had mastered the art of cutting very thin pieces. It was a very good idea too because it was a very rich and solid chocolate mud cake.

There was not one big party, and instead there seemed to be a lot of little ones with different groups in Bec's community gathering separately to celebrate in creative ways. Happy Birthday Bec.

Farewell Nan

Barb's Mum left on her next leg of her trip south, this time to Madonna and John in Tazzie. Barb and Peter shared a last coffee with her before the boarded the plane. We had enjoyed a wonderful week with her.

As often these days, we record the "look" of our coffees for future record and comparison. We all thought the coffees were good considering it was at the airport.

The day before, we linked up with Kelli, David and their father Hal at St. Kilda beach. Kelli had organised kite-boarding for she and her dad. This was a late Christmas gift coming to fruition. Kelli always thinks big.

The wind was good and there was plenty of kite-boarding happening and two kite-boarding classed being conducted on the beach. Kite-boarding means being pulled along by a large kite with your feet firmly strapped to a surfboard. Those skilled at it can tack back and forth across the wind direction without losing ground and even leap into the air over five metres just for the fun of it. Very spectacular.

Garden Visit

Four of us went to a nursery place called Rivers for a coffee and look around. There was even a great range of water plants available for purchase. The day was perfect.

Our friend Denise came with us. Nan found something worth getting. We strolled about enjoying the sun, the breeze and bees doing their thing in all the flowers.

Armchair Love

Peter and Nan stayed up in Gembrook one night this week. Nan stayed at the Funks and Peter stayed close to the work at the Retreat. On both evenings Peter joined the Funks for famly food and fun. Nan caught peter with her three great-grandkids about him. Actually it took a bit to arrange considering that Piper had a particular agenda and Jethro had to be sat on his lap at the last moment. These kids are such a tonic. All three are a blessing and delight.

Nan's Visit

Barb's Mum has come from Brisbane for a visit with us and one of the first things we did was to have a coffee at a nice place. On the following day we did the same and this time with our Dan. He was glad to join us and we made a breakfast/lunch out if it. We look forward to a week of fun and sharing with Nan.

How the Sea got its Salt

Our niece Michelle took this powerful picture the last time she came to Australia... of a bit of our south coast. She is coming for another visit soon and that is very exciting for all of us 'Down Under'. The snap captures the essence of the words below.
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There are fish in the yammin there is life
The yammin is one great Yam the godess
Yam contended with Baal and Mot
She was a force to be reckoned with
Within her flowed life and death in abundance
She watched as Baal and Mot struggled for supremacy
Over air and land over her waves
And endeavoured to submerge them both

Her substance flowed out of the bowels of 'Erets

As 'Erets cracked and moved his crust

Yam expanded in opportunity and power

Searching for a new crevasse to fill

Baal was a minor god of war and destruction

Mot existed to enclose the dead

Both in Yam and on the surface of 'Erets

But could do nothing to subdue the force of Yam

When she decided to display it

And Mot was there to take the crumbs

'Erets expands and feeds Yam

His minerals dissolve as Yam struck him

'Erets slowly broke up and lost to Yam

And Yam gathered up and found his salt

Without this harvest Yam would diminish

If Yam over-gathers she would surely wane

She would smother the life within her

She carries within her an infinite life

All sharing Yam's plunder of 'Erets

Baal does not understand and Mot does not care

But Yahweh gives her knowing

And has created in Yam this gift

As the blood of 'Erets came gushing up

Gushing up as the God's Great Flood

With salt disolved

To recycle life enclosed in time