We're moving at last!

Yes, we get the keys to the house this Friday and we move in the following Wednesday. The delay is because we can't get our driveway poured until this coming Saturday and it won't be set (or cured) enough until Wednesday. The issue I alluded to last week with the driveway and the neighbour is now settled, and all I'll say publicly here is that we have a solution that satisfies all parties concerned. It will look impressive.

The timber floors upstairs have been sanded and polished and they have come up beautifully. Very happy indeed. The lights are in, the air conditioning commissioned and the very many last minute details are still being attended to, but it's ours this Friday.



We have been quite busy with trips to Brisbane to check on the house plus arranging things at this end. Our apartment is ready to be leased as we move out at a very good price, so we're happy about that. We are getting things sorted ready to leave the Sunshine Coast and establishing services etc back in Brisbane. This takes considerable time. When one builds one has to also get a TV antenna installed, buy and install a mail box, get the gas connected, screens and window coverings arranged - it all takes considerable time. Thank goodness for being on vacation these past two weeks.



Rene has been getting some good publicity in the Dutch media over here. On Monday his interview with SBS Radio Dutch Service in Melbourne went to air. It was fun sitting in the car listening to Rene on the radio just before getting out to get lunch and see a movie. Also this week his gallery features in a full page of The Dutch Courier, the national newspaper here in Australia. There's also a large ad for the gallery included. Next month they are doing a profile on him.

The movie we saw was Narnia - Prince Caspian. I thought it was quite good, but not normally my cup of tea (OK on DVD though). I want to see Mamma Mia. Many friends have already seen it and loved it.


We attended a lovely wedding last weekend near Bribie Island. Evelyn and Peter had their ceremony in a beautiful church at The Abbey near Caboolture. The following morning we had an interesting cruise along the Pumicestone Passage. The weather had not been kind to us on the Saturday (it poured) but for the cruise it held off, and even had moments of sunshine. The bride and groom had a wonderful time and I also had the opportunity to meet up again with Tania, a friend from Clare in South Australia, who was up for the wedding. Evelyn, Tania and I all met up when I was briefly teaching in Harlow, Essex, in 2003.

It's the season for weddings for us with my niece Michelle's wedding on September 13 at the Gold Coast and Rene's sister Claartje's wedding on North Stradbroke Island on October 2. Claartje and Jan are arriving for a five week holiday Down Under at the end of September. They'll also have a week with Rene in Central Australia when he goes on another buying trip.


Rene and I have had two barbecues this week - unusual because being winter we haven't had one in ages. Last Friday we caught up with friends at their Marcoola Beach apartment who are just back from Turkey and Germany. These folk are also building at present, hence their hiding away in their Sunshine Coast apartment. We exchanged building stories and generally had a delightful lunch and walk along the beach. Today we had a Christmas in July that was to be all hot roast dinner, plum pudding and Christmas tree, but ended up because of time constraints being a brilliant BBQ with salads and desserts for around 25 people. We had a morning tea with a neighbour before going this morning to the lunch, and last Friday we entertained two neighbours to dinner after lunch, so we have been very social over the past few days. Sadly, I'm back at school this week and will barely have time for lunch of any sort. Ah well, that's what vacations are for.

Had to laugh at an article from the Dutch service station association. Read on...

Petrol stations profit more on bottled water
Drivers spend an increasing amount of money on ice-cream, soft drinks, sandwiches and candy bars at petrol stations.
4 July 2008THE NETHERLANDS -

According to a report released by BOVAG, the umbrella organisation for filling stations, drivers are spending an increasing amount of money on ice-cream, soft drinks, sandwiches and candy bars. It is estimated that they will spend about EUR 2 billion in 2008. The BOVAG says it is strange that drivers complain about the high price of petrol while they spend a substantial amount of money on items such as soft drinks. The organisation says petrol stations make more profit from a bottle of water than a litre of petrol.[Radio Netherlands / Expatica]

Today's New York Times has a most excellent article on five of architecture's current marvels in Beijing. I recommend that you take the time to click on the link below and see amongst other things the new HQ for CCTV that has been designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. It is exciting and challenging and so very impressive. Also check out the new National Theatre - stunning! I would really love to visit that city, but not until after the Olympics.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/07/12/arts/20080712_BEIJING_GRAPHIC.html?ex=1216612800&en=069af2c44ad9d7ef&ei=5070&emc=eta3


Finally, a funny picture from McDonald's in Yass, a town just north of Canberra. I'll leave you with that thought for now, enjoy your week.