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As we near our shortest day here in the southern hemisphere, it has been getting darker each morning I head out for my run. Today was the first morning that it was still dark when I finished.
Charlie wakens around 5.30 each morning so I usually take him out just after 6 in the jogger. Although, Kirstin has been stealing my slot some mornings - not that I’ve complained too much!
Since the race we recently took part in, I’ve managed to keep up a decent mileage so I’ll probably do a half marathon that’s coming up in June. I’m then thinking that I’m going to do another full marathon - the Melbourne race is in October - we’ll see!
Alan.
At dinner tonight Ella and Charlie decided it was a great idea to feed each other their yoghurt - there was much hilarity and much mess as you can imagine!
K
Ella was invited to Harvey’s 3rd birthday party this morning. It was at a place called Gourmet Kids where each party guest gets to bake a recipe chosen by the birthday boy/girl. They made smiley face cookies. While the cookies baked the children tucked in to party snacks and played pass the parcel. Such a great idea and lots of fun!
Harvey gearing up for his party
Ella mixing the cookie ingredients
Ella’s cookie ready to be baked
Hugh & Ella enjoying some party food
Harvey blowing out his candles
K
We stopped for dinner at the Middle Wine Bar on Friday - its become a bit of a habit since around November and we’re probably on our last few weeks of eating outdoors before the weather cools down. Mark joined us for a glass of wine and Jill & Dave had dinner with us. Ella and Charlie were both in great form (maybe due to a late afternoon snooze) and thrive on the attention they get. Here are some pics:
Charlie making sure he finishes every last drop of his ice-cream
That was delicious Daddy!!
Ella with Auntie Jill
I might just polish off the chocolate drizzle from Uncle Dave’s Tiramisu
Yum!
K
The doorbell rang around 5p.m. on Thursday and Ella said “A parcel for Ella Mummy”. She was right, parcel deliveries usually come in the early evening and it was for Ella and Charlie. Ella was delighted to open up an Easter parcel from her Uncle Alex and Auntie Ros back home in Scotland. At her insistence we read the new books immediately and laid out her (and Charlie’s) new clothes to wear in the morning. Here they are:
K
I’ve entered a race at the end of March and I’m looking to raise as much funds as possible for a Childrens hospital appeal here in Melbourne.
If I can raise $500 I’ve committed to run the race in a kilt.
So please help and donate some money to my cause!
Alan.
Happy 1st Christmas Charlie…..
Charlie woke at 6 and we woke Ella at 7, parents excitement taking over the children’s. We opened their stockings in their bedroom, Charlie had no idea what was happening but Ella delighted in ripping open parcels as you can see.
When we went through to the living room it took Ella a few minutes to spot her dolls house but when she did she said “Wow, its for Ella”.
It took a while to get her interest back to opening parcels. Charlie got into the dolls house whenever she wasn’t looking and happily played with his new stacking cups, puzzles etc. His rocking horse was also a hit.
We definitely spent a good few hours opening parcels before it was time to get organised for friends arriving. Around 2 people started arriving and by 3 I’d say the afternoon, and drinks, were in full swing. Lots of yummy food on the BBQ followed by some backyard cricket.
Some pictures from the festivities…..
Ella in her party dress.
Charlie eating chocolate and admiring his rocking horse.
Sisters, sisters…..
Ella and Madeleine relaxing.
But not so impressed spectating at the backyard cricket.
Mhairi and Harry.
Alan and Neil after a few (many) beers.
Harry, Neil, Brian and Alan towards the end of the evening!
Yes, its a drunken Neil playing on the Wheely Bug AGAIN!!
Lots of fun was had by all.
Kirstin
On Sunday we went to the Roti Man (fabulous local Indian restaurant) with friends for dinner. There were a fair few of us - Alan & I, Ella, Charlie, Mhairi, Blanche, Fiona, Mark, Hugh, Rory, Aoife, Whitney & bump, Brian and Maddie. It was great to have everyone together and our 3 toddlers lasted the pace well, stopping the singing and running round to grab a bite to eat now and again.
Ella having a ball with her friends:
Christmas Toddlers:
Hugh, Ella’s very best friend:
The younger family members (Charlie & Rory) were in good form and reveling in all the attention. I’d been worried about taking Charlie as he can get very cranky around bedtime but there were enough distractions to keep him occupied and he went asleep as soon as we got home. Here they are….
Rory with his Daddy and Alan:
A festive Charlie:
Naturally everyone is missing the traditions of Christmas at home with family and friends (well maybe not the cold weather) but the children know no different and its all for them. Merry Christmas everyone…..
K
Today, 30th November, is St Andrews Day which is Scotland’s official national day of celebration of our patron saint. It is where we get our National Flag from - the Saltire and obviously where the famous golf links are. Although not as well celebrated as say Paddy’s Day in Ireland there is a growing call in Scotland for it to become a bigger celebration of all things Scottish and even make it a public holiday.
Personally I would prefer to see us have a Scotland Day, maybe sometime in May or June when the weather is better and make it a full day national celebration. We know how to enjoy ourselves and I’m sure it would make us all feel great about being Scottish. The Scottish Government should take a look at how the Aussie’s go about Australia Day each year. There are loads of events in every city and town. With parades, concerts, fairs and every form of entertainment for all ages and persuasions, plus they do it in Summer.
I also think that as a grown up multi-cultural nation we need to separate this celebration from a Christian saint. Having a Scottish day in the dark depths of November, when it’s more than likely to be raining, gloomy, cold and dark by about 5pm, only serves to exacerbate the Scottish psyche of the old dreary, soulless, Presbyterian past.
Will they do it? - I doubt it… but maybe that is my Scottish up bringing!
Alan
Last week was such a typical week for Melbourne’s weather. Monday and Tuesday the mercury reached 37° both days. Monday night was particularly hot and didn’t get lower than 25° at night. On Tuesday afternoon we had a ‘change’ - which is a common Aussie weather term - and the temperature dropped 15° in 30 minutes. On Wednesday it was a very cool top of 15° and we then finished the week in the low 20’s. We had 1.5 days of rain which doubled the monthly total. Very weird and very, very different to what we’re used to.
When it does get to the high 30’s it is usually combined with very strong northerly winds which are extremely dry and hot. This makes it very uncomfortable - not quite the same as an Edinburgh November week!
This weekend has been great fun with our family and we’ve enjoyed some fantastic Melbourne spring weather. On Friday after work I met Kirstin, Ella and Charlie in Middle Park and we sat outside having a couple of drinks. Jill and Dave (K’s sis and hubby) came down and met us and we enjoyed a nice bottle of Shiraz.
On Saturday, we went to Cowderoy’s Dairy (our local Milk Bar - a Milk Bar in Aus is a type of small general store come cafe) for breakfast and after we had a play in the adjacent park.
In the afternoon we went swimming, Ella for some reason has developed a fear of the teaching pool and we’re keen to get her over it. She is great in the water generally but has a real fear of this one pool. Ella and I then headed off to meet with my friend Neil to go and watch the football game in the evening between Melbourne and Sydney. It is the biggest fixture in football here and it was Ella’s 2nd game. She has been looking forward to it all week and she had an absolute ball. Before the game we always go into the bar in the stadium which has the most fantastic outlook over the ground. This is Neil and Ella in the bar when we first arrived - as you can see Ella is proudly wearing her new Melbourne strip!
After a fairly quiet 1st half she really got into the swing of things in the 2nd half,running up and down the aisle keeping everyone around us amused often shouting out “Come on Melbourne!!”
This is the crowd at the game and the view from where we sit…
Sunday involved me taking Charlie to his water awareness class and then I took him on a 10k run, although for him it meant being pushed in his pram while sleeping! It was about 10am but already it was very warm which makes the running that bit harder. Around 12 we met up with Mark and his son, Hugh, for a coffee and baby cino, sitting outside at one of the many Middle Park cafes. We then met up with Clint, Marie and their son Frankie in the park and yet another visit to a cafe for some more coffee. It is one of the problems of such a cafe culture is that you can consume far too much caffeine! That brings us to the end of a typical Melbourne weekend for us - lots of parks, coffee, wine, friends, sitting outside and football - I suppose someone has to do it!!
My family are now on their way home….for me - at last, but I’m sure our family in Scotland will be sad to see them go! I’m really looking forward to seeing them in the Airport on Tuesday morning. They arrive around 1.30am, so I’ve no idea how Ella and Charlie will be…it could be a long night and an unsettled few days.
While they’ve been gone, spring has definitely arrived in Melbourne, we’ve had a few days with the temperature getting into the 30’s. Yesterday was one of those days which we spent sitting outside having a bbq and a some beers. A few of our friends came round and we had a really good time with Neil in particularly fine form.
Jill and Dave, (k’s sis and husband) have been here since last weekend and in record time managed to find a house to rent which they get the keys for on Tuesday. Their house is not far from us and Dave and I are about equi-distant from the local pub! Kirstin will be pleased to have her sister living quite close though Mhairi is also coming back from Scotland next week so it will be nice for the three sisters to be back in one country again.
Airports are quite an emotional place…Sadness in departures for families and friends parting…excitement from holiday-makers leaving for an impending adventure and joy in arrivals as children, parents and grandparents are re-united.
For me, this was the sadness in watching my family disappear into the departures area, my daughter in her pj’s holding mummy’s hand pushing the stroller with Charlie wide eyed. Although I know it is only a couple of weeks and the time will fly, I really will miss them and I’m really looking forward to seeing them come through that security door looking very tired.
It will be a roller coaster few days and weeks for Kirstin as she gets over leaving me here in Melbourne then 24 hours later seeing her Mum & Dad again, introducing Charlie to her Granny, my Mum and Dad and all our friends in Scotland, then saying good-bye again before being happy (hopefully) at seeing me in the arrivals hall in 2 weeks time.
Last week I had a business trip to visit a supplier in Shenzhen (pronounced shinzin) in China. I left on the Tuesday lunchtime and arrived in Hong Kong late on Tuesday evening. There is only a 2 hour time difference between Melbourne and HK so it isn’t too bad from a jet lag point of view.
The following morning I took the 1 hour ferry trip to Shenzhen. I was completely amazed at the size of the place. It currently has around 9 million people although the folks I was with told me it was around 13 million. Astonishingly only 20 years ago it was just a small fishing port! Anyway, I think I must have seen all of the 9 million people over the 2 days!!
I don’t think anyone lives in normal houses - it’s all high rise apartments. It was also very hot and very very humid.
It’s amazing to think that our cultures are so different and yet only a few hours apart.
The food was also an experience - I don’t think cold pickled chicken feet will be top of my culinary wish list. I had a great trip though and the people were very friendly and my hotel was better, bigger and cleaner than those in HK (and much, much cheaper). Luckily, the marketing manager from the supplier I was visiting could speak pretty good English, otherwise it would have been quite a tough trip.
I was back in HK on Thursday evening and managed some time to look around before I flew back on Friday evening.
Alan
Kirstin, Ella and Charlie are going to Scotland for a two week trip. They arrive on the 15th October and leave again on the 28th. We’ve been planning it for a while but it took a long time to get the passport and visa sorted out for Charlie.
It will obviously be a challenging trip for K on her own but she is really excited about seeing her Mum and Dad again. I’m sure she’ll also be delighted to show off both Ella and Charlie as they’re both wee crackers! (although I may be biased somewhat).
I’ll miss them all terribly when they are away but I’m sure the time for me will go quick and I know how much Kirstin wants to make the trip. It’ll also be the first time that my mum and dad will have met Charlie and also Kirstins granny. I’m sure there will be tears when she arrives and tears when she leaves. It’s always difficult going back, it’s something that you long to do but is quite unsettling too.
Kirstin and I were reflecting on it last night and we were saying to Ella that she was going home to Scotland, but of course home for Ella is Melbourne and I’m sure it must be a bit odd for her working it all out. Typically, I’m going to China on a business trip next week, so more time away from them!
Alan
I like this…..
and this…..
I just had to post this picture of my gorgeous wife and our little boy! I’m sure you’ll agree that Kirstin is just looking so happy and radiant.
Alan
We’ve had 2 spider incidents over the last few weeks. Firstly, we had a Huntsman spider on our garden gate, these guys are big but pretty harmless. It would be uncomfortable if they bit you but they aren’t poisonous, this is the fella here…..
Then today we found we had a Redback in a storage area in our back garden. Kirstin and Mhairi took great delight in blasting it with the insect spray. The Redbacks are particularly dangerous if you get a bite from one and very common too.
Alan
and it’s 25 degrees today! The weather has certainly improved over the last couple of weeks and we’ve enjoyed some gorgeous early spring days. It obviously can still get cool and bad weather may just be around the corner but it’s definitely improving. I read the other day that the long term forecast has now changed again and the drought and hot summers look odds on to continue again. Apparently there is a LaNina (opposite of El Nino) effect going on in the Pacific ocean which if continues long term can bring significant changes to weather patterns but now the outlook is that it may only last this year…so its back to being El Scorchio for us.
Longer days too, which means I’m now experiencing the sun rising when I’m out for my early morning run. I generally run along the foreshore at St Kilda. It’s just such a fantastic run, jogging along the beach edge past the piers, walkways and marina’s. Its also amazing how many people are out there doing stuff.
Alan
That’s such a great title for a post…I think I might do it more often.
Anyway, I’m out for a beer on Thursday night with my friends Brian and Mark (plus Marks Father in Law, Tim) to our local, the Gunn Island. Not too many though as its a school night!
Then, on Friday I’m with Mark and Neil at an Aussie Rules game in Telstra Dome to watch St Kilda play West Coast. It should be a good game and even better as you can drink beer at the games here. This weekend also see’s the start of the real football season here. Neil and I are members this year, supporting our local team, Melbourne Victory. They kick off with the first game in NZ. Hopefully they can have a better start than Hearts…my Scottish team for those that don’t know.
I’m off to bed now….started running again so I’m up at 5.30 for a 5k before everybody is up and about.
A
We’ve had a relatively uneventful but relaxing weekend. Both our babies have managed to get over their recent bouts of colds/runny noses/coughs/viral infections and rashes!
On Thursday night we went out for dinner with Mark, Fiona and Fee’s parents who are visiting from Ireland , it was a celebration for the Givens as their newest arrival, Rory, got out of hospital last week. On Friday, Mhairi got us all a take-away from a local Italian - it was very good! On Saturday, Mhairi, Ella, Charlie and myself headed out early to the market to get our weekly veggies and meats. Our local market is great, especially if you get there early and miss the crowds - Ella always loves it.
On Saturday afternoon, Ella and I went out to the park and then met up with Mark for a coffee then a glass of red sitting outside one of the cafes in our local village. Sunday, I had Charlie at his weekly swim school class in the morning and then Ella and I did some gardening in the arvo.
Alan
Junior, the rabbit that we’ve been looking after for Matthew, went back to his home today. Ella and I returned it this afternoon, Ella was surprisingly OK with it all. She had taken to him over the last 2 weeks and always asked for him to be brought into the house. She also became quite comfortable with picking him up, although the poor rabbit didn’t look quite as relaxed about it!
Ella also got a new easel today which is an early birthday present from her Grandma and Grandpa Donaldson. I can’t believe she is going to be 2 next week. Kirstin and Mhairi did the market run early this morning for our weekly fruit and veggies, then Ella and I headed off to IKEA. We got there for it opening at 10am which is definitely the best time to go. IKEA isn’t my favourite place to visit as it is usually manic…..although I am partial to a hotdog!!
Ella and I also visited the pub yesterday (I’m also partial to a beer), there is now a smoking ban in public places similar to Scotland here in Victoria, so the pub is now child friendly….yippee.
Ella has been over the moon this week as we’ve been looking after Matthews rabbit while he is on holiday. The rabbit (Junior) is house trained and Ella just loves having him run around while she is playing. At first she was a little timid with him but now she loves to stroke and cuddle him.
Hopefully the novelty will wear off before he has to go back next week!
Alan
Strong winds, rain, floods and 12 degrees sounds like Scotland but is actually Melbourne! At last the catchments are getting some decent rain with over 100mm in the main catchment dam for Melbourne in the last 24 hours and lots more forecast. (the dams are still only 29% full which I find slightly worrying but people here seem relatively relaxed about?)
The ski season started early here too with all the ski reosrts in Victoria having loads of snow over the last month…..I suppose the good thing about snow is that it will eventually turn into water. Mount Bulla, which is a couple of hours drive from Melbourne, was nearly wiped out with bush fires in February and is now a winter wonderland of deep snow.
Still we are now nearing the end of our first month of winter with only 2 more to go then we head into spring which means nicer weather again.
We’re having Christmas in July next Saturday with our friends round at ours for turkey and all the trimmings. K and Mhairi are busy in the planning phase already….I even think the crimbo tree and decorations are making an appearance! - I’ll post some pics after the event.
Alan
Saturday morning included a visit to our local Toy Library to do our 2 week swap of toys for Ella. For $50 per year we have access to 2 small items and 1 large item every 2 weeks. This week we returned a tractor and cart with animals, a leapfrog pad and a vanity unit and mirror. In return, we now have a set of building blocks, a schoolhouse and a slide. The slide and the blocks are a real hit…so much so we may have some problems taking them back in 2 weeks!!
Sunday morning involved meeting up with Mark, Fiona, Aoife (Fi’s sis) and Hugh for brunch at Carousel which is a lovely cafe set on Albert Park lake. It was a chilly start so we were all wrapped up, including Charlie in a hat that his Grandma Donaldson knitted……
Alan
Ella’s quickly approaching her second birthday and her language has been constantly improving with more and more words every day…in fact she repeats anything we say now! We need to be careful.
Recently she started finishing sentences in her books and humming songs and over the last couple of weeks has now mastered singing songs! So all day K has the pleasure of constant renditions of Twinkle Twinkle and Incey Wincey Spider….it brings a tear to the eye.
A
Typical…..follow Scotland for years with the Tartan Army, watching defeat after defeat. World ranking 86 then….I move to Australia and we start winning - world ranking 14!
Still if we qualify for the finals it may be a good excuse for another TA adventure…
A
Winter has arrived 2 days early….its cold,wet and windy in Melbourne now! There is even talk that the drought is over in some parts of the region; probably a bit early to say that but it has rained a fair bit in the last week or so. I’ve even had to look out a rain jacket for work and a jersey!!! Next thing it’ll be the hats and scarves….ah well, it was nice while it lasted!
I better get back to my hot cup of tea….
Alan
Last night I had an enjoyable night in the pub with Neil watching the cup final….Neil was very happy as Celtic won. We went the Celtic club in the CBD and there was around 100 Celtic fans there. As you probably know the ‘tic aren’t my team however it is always good to watch a game from home.
As usual we probably had 1 or 2 too many and I certainly suffered a bit today from it! Babies and hangovers are not a good mix!!
Alan
Melbourne definitely has an autumnal feel, with the leaves nearly all off the trees now and some cooler weather this week. Although today was a very pleasant 20 degrees and forecast for 21 over the weekend. Winter officially begins here on the 1st of June….just not Scottish style!Our plans this weekend include K and I having a rare visit to the ‘local’ for a drink tonight. Tomorrow we have Charlie’s jags, a visit to the toy library and Ella has a hair appointment! Tomorrow is Scottish Cup Final day so going to watch it with Neil (another exiled Scot).
Alan
It’s raining again in Melbourne…albeit only a shower or two but rain nevertheless! Cool as well - 16 deg…
We’ve actually had a lot of rain in the catchment areas. Some places in Victoria that have had no rain for 2 years had around 80mm in 1 night last week.
There has been a lot of rain dancing going on!
However the water dam levels are still below 30% which is quite worrying. So quick showers are still the order of the day.
Alan
Ella has always been great at going to bed however since I started reading her bedtime story in her room, she has become very demanding that I stay until she is asleep. Tonight, I’ve started to try and break the habit and left just before she went off - it seemed to work OK.
We’ve also just put Ella into her own small single bed over the last couple of weeks. The idea was to get her out of her cot and settled before we put Charlie in. Last night was our first night of them both sleeping in the same room.
Charlie was fine but Ella had an unsettled night - she seems to have developed a bit of a sniffle and has her 2 eye teeth coming through.
Ella was sleeping by 8.00 and Charlie was down about 8.30pm, hopefully we won’t see them until morning!
Alan
Welcome to our the Donaldson family blog of our life in Australia.
