Tumby Bay

I haven't been able to post anything since my last post because my 'retired' brain recharged someone else's mobile phone rather than recharging my mobile broadband!  I finally got a recharge done via phone this morning, hence I can now do a blog post!
We called into DTEI last Monday and it was fantastic to catch up with some of my (nearly former) workmates.  We then did a bit of shopping for presents we needed to buy and then ordered our new lounge suite which was delivered on Tuesday.  We did get to sit on it for a couple of hours Tuesday night!  It is a 3.5 seater and 2.5 seater white/cream leather and it is just lovely.  I am a bit apprehensive about the cat but I will just have to keep her claws trimmed and keep my fingers crossed!   If anyone knows a good way to stop a cat clawing leather I would love to hear it.
Our plan was to have everything packed up so all we had to do Wednesday morning was hook up the caravan and head off.  Needless to say the plan didn't quite work properly and it was 10.55am before we actually hit the road. 
We had a pretty good trip but did stop to help some people pick debris off the highway about 20km before Port Pirie.  These people are visitors to Australia from Denmark and they were driving a white van travelling behind a truck carrying a small transportable building.  It appears the water heater which was secured to the front of the transportable, came off and bounced around on the road.  The tank also hit the car but fortunately on the side, not the front.  If it had hit the front I suspect there would have been serious injuries, if not deaths!  As it was no-one was hurt but they were pretty shaken up.  We helped clear all the bits and pieces off the road and checked the people had gathered all the information they needed from the truck driver.  They had everything except his insurance information and when they asked him for that he said he didn't have any and took off pretty quickly!  We recommended they report the incident to the police in Port Pirie and then phone Avis after that.
I had a go at driving the car while towing the caravan but only managed about 15 minutes before my right arm started hurting.  I have had a very painful bout of tennis elbow in that arm recently and it was only just starting to settle.  I suspect I was nervous and probably gripping the steering wheel too hard which caused the soreness.
We camped Wednesday night at the Half Way Camp Site (about 40km south of Port Augusta between PA and Whyalla).  The minute we stepped out of the car we were swarmed by flies, so sitting outside wasn't an option!  The camp site was pretty close to the road and it is surprising how many trucks use the road between Whyalla and Port Augusta through the night!  We also had a truck pull in during the early hours of the morning and leave his engine idling while he had a nap or breakfast or something!  Luckily we only intended to camp for one night.
Our friends caught up with us at the camp site and we all travelled in convoy to Tumby Bay, arriving at the caravan park late morning.  We set up our caravans and spent most of the afternoon sitting around chatting.
The rain started last night and shows no sign of letting up.  The forecast indicates rain today and tomorrow but after that it should be reasonbly good weather.  I had intended to go for a walk this morning but discovered I left my lightweight rain jacket home.  I will probably spend most of the day knitting, reading or whatever.  The weather doesn't lend itself to anything else at the moment, but spending a leisurely few hours reading or knitting or whatever sounds good anyway.
Royce has just decided to go out and clean the caravan windows - while it is raining!  He has his hat on and has the squeegee and I hadn't realised how dirty the front window was until he has started cleaning it.
No photos yet so no visuals I can give you!

Kane's Birthday

Today was my grand-dog's birthday.  We have a bit of a dispute about his age.  I think he is 8 and Rory thinks he is 7.  Kane didn't really care - he just had a lot of fun unwrapping his presents!  He got a rawhide chicken and roo chew which he loved and devoured as quickly as he could; a squeaky monkey which he destroyed as quickly as he could; a new ball which he chased around as soon as he could.  He was very excited when Rory and Emma brought out the wrapped presents.  He knew they were for him and he couldn't wait to start unwrapping them.  A pleasant morning.

With Rory before being given his presents. Very few things he likes better than cuddling with his Dad!

Starting to destroy his Monkey

Rory and Emma encouraging Kane to 'look at Nanny'!

The Art of Racing in the Rain

I have just recently finished reading the book The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein and it was a really good book.  It is a story about Denny (a racing car driver), his wife Eve, daughter Zoe - all told by Denny's dog Enzo.  It is funny and sad and well worth reading.
I put on a baby shower for Emma on Sunday and a big thank you to those who attended.  We had a bit of fun, ate some food, drank some drinks and Emma had a wonderful afternoon.  The gifts she received are terrific and are appreciated.
It was great to catch up with some work-mates in Adelaide last week for a coffee.  I will have to try to arrange another catch up soon.
Moving all the furniture and boxes around over the past few weeks has stirred up my tennis elbow and it is now extremely painful.  I can't even pick up my coffee cup with my right hand!  I have an appointment with my chiro on Thursday and I am keeping my fingers crossed that he can help.  Last time I had this problem he was able to clear it up so I am hoping we can do the same again.
Our Plasma TV died on Sunday and we have decided it may not be worth spending the money to fix it.  It is 5 years old and gave up the ghost one month after the warranty expired!  I am told that modern TVs have a 5 year life span and anything over that is a bonus. 
Keep safe and well everyone and I will do another post again in the near future - probably from Tumby Bay next week sometime.