Great British Classic.....
What would you consider typical, traditional british food? I thought Roast beef and yorkshire pudding, fish and chips maybe - but according to a local supermarket that are promoting good old fashioned british classics this week, we are a nation known for our McVities Hob Nobs (ok), hoarseradish sauce (ok), Marmite (fab) and of course that great british classic the.................................................................................................
wait for it......
The Sherbet Fountain, yes the sherbet fountain - I kid you not!!!!! Apparantly, we all walk around talking like Del-boy and knocking back sherbet fountains!!!!!! Having said all that when I told Elliot about it he said "ooooooh, I've not had a sherbet fountain in years, get us some would you Mom". I am now slightly worried that when buying these I am just re-affirming what aussies think us brits eat.
The marmite is called 'our mate' for some reason but it is the genuine article, I know because I paid for 1 jar, got through the till area and opened it up and tried it, then went back in for more!
I resisted the temptation to say "lovely jubbly" when I paid for my goodies though!
A Few Updates.......
First of all, my mom is out of hospital and recovering very well at home. I have spoken to her several times and she sounds as chirpy as ever and is very definately still coming to visit us in October.
James arrived in Kuwait without any problems and has now completed his first week there. He had to be tested for swine flu (he hasn't got it) or face 4 months in jail! The place sounds quite basic and he will be glad to get his work done and get back to Kuala Lumpur for a few weeks, not to mention a few beers.
Not much to report from here this week. Jake was involved in a science expo at school on Thursday. He decided to demonstrate how yeast works in the bread making process. This is in front of parents and other school kids and his teacher. The teacher doesn't have any input in these expos and it's all down to each individual child to come up with the experiment and document it all and organise everything that is needed. He did very well and produced a cracking loaf of bread that everyone got to try.
When I went to let Banjo into the garden after tea I was greeted with an enourmous spider waiting for me on the step. Well okay, it doesn't look that big, but it was very black and I swear it shouted 'boo' when I opened the door! Anyway, after having its photo taken and letting each of the boys have a poke at it, it decided to go back into the garden, a good choice I think because it wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes had it come in the house.
The other photo is from the swimming pool this afternoon.
Mothers Day...
I've done very well for pressies today, I've had an avocado slicer, bracelet, mobile phone charms and a mini easel for taking photos of my cards on, made by Lewis. Lewis is heavily into woodwork now and wants his own set of tools for his birthday on Tuesday.
We spent the afternoon along the Bellarine Peninsula at a place called Queenscliffe, about 40mins drive from our house. It is on the coast and there is a large car/passenger ferry to take you across the bay to Sorrento - to drive round the bay would take hours. We will take the ferry in the warmer weather and have a day out on the Mornington Peninsula. Queenscliffe is definately somewhere we'll be visiting again there is a maritine museum, marine discovery centre and an historic fort there so plenty to do during the school holidays.
Teenage Rebellion...
I suppose it was only a matter of time before Elliot felt he had to rebel against us. He came home wearing make-up, looking like a punk!
Fortunately, it was only as part of a photography project where he voluteered to be 'made up' for a girl in his grade to photograph.
The bottom photo is the finished article. If you click on the bottom picture you get a better image of Elliot all 'punked up' complete with nose ring!
Doom and Gloom....
Well, this week started with my Mom falling in the shower and breaking her hip in 3 places. She has now had her operation and everything seems to have been succsessful, although she does have a long road ahead of her. Who knows whether she'll make it to visit us in Oz in October though. It did make me realise just how far away we are and I've felt pretty guilt ridden all week!
Then Lewis, Elliot and myself have had a headache/temperature type virus which has laid us all low for several days and ment the boys missed a few days of school each. Apparantly, this is the norm the first winter in Australia - we are getting used to all these new bugs! Elliot now has a cold!
James is going to Kuwait for a month soon, so he is busy preparing for that at the moment.
On a brighter note, Jake had to present a full school assembly this week. He did a brilliant job of speaking slowly and clearly and now he is not bothered about having to do it again, twice, this year. As there are only 19 children in his year they have to do these thing more often than normal.
It's Mothers Day here tomorrow - I wonder if anyone will have remembered - watch this space!The photo is of me, Lewis and Elliot on the Waterfront in Geelong last Sunday morning. Cunningham Pier is in the background and as you can see we do get black clouds in Australia sometimes.
