WANDERERS BLOG UPDATE (PART TWO)---AT LAST!! 

I'm back! Wish me luck!                                                                                                
Anyway, in Jan., we were still working around the new granny flat and the completion of the pool  and area, so we didn't get as much time at Peron as we usually hope to. But then cousins Ann and Vic arrived from England just in time for Australia Day and some boating. They had been to Australia many years ago but never to us, so it was great to show them around, take them to meet various kids, grandkids, and greats, watch Olivia, Alex and friends in the treetop adventure at Dwellingup; and even catch up with some other cousins here that we rarely see.

My sister, Maureen, arrived from Canada (via Tassie) in time for Annie's birthday, but only for a short visit.. She's great company and an easy guest, especially as we still had Kris home to go hiking with her, and playmate Judy of course. I don't know anyone with a greater gift for playing and enjoying each and every day.

Somewhere in there, I had my hearing aid implant surgery, between Anne's birthday and mine. My

conventional aid had gone lost when I had my meningitis in Canada last year, but it hadn't helped much so I didn't miss it. This new one is a press-stud arrangement screwed/embedded in my skull and then the device snaps on. Makes a big difference so I remember to wear it1 So now I just hope I never have a screw loose!  

Also somewhere around that time we welcomed Monty, another new little Canadian cousin into the family!

 About this time, the pool and landscaping were done and we're very pleased with how it all came up!! But by then we'd missed the holiday season rental market and it sat pretty much empty until just recently. Bookings are starting to come in now, which is heartening. Mind, we'd probably prefer a long term tenant and we're advertising for that as well, but we have a fairly clear idea what sort of tenant we want and it hasn't happened yet.

Another birthday, visits to/from various friends, more fun with grands and greats, both babysitting and school holiday visits, then we were off again! Anne was long overdue for a cruise. I'd been putting her off for a couple  of years, in favour of our own cruise, on our houseboat, in Canada; but now that was sold,- no more excuses, so off we went.

She found us an amazing cruise, part of a new ship's maiden voyage,

from Rome, through the Suez to Singapore, with stops all along the way. The highlights were Santorini and Petra I think, and the bottom of the scale, Cochin, India. Mind, we did enjoy seeing Cochin's style of houseboats,-quite intriguing. We went a week early and did some independent wandering in Rome and Pompeii before we boarded the ship. We'd been to both before, but previous visits were too rushed; we wanted time to just potter about. Likewise we stayed on in Singapore on our own a few days after the cruise; we did a bit of on/off bus touring, the highlight being the Gardens by the Bay. Wow!


Before we left we sadly had to say Bon Voyage, Auf Wiedersehen to Caroline, who moved back to Canada while we were away1 We will miss her sorely (already do) but are delighted for her and look forward to seeing her new home in person one day; it looks like a Christmas card picture!

Next thing I knew, Anne found a package trip to Thailand too good to pass by. In fact it was so good that four friends on the street here grabbed it too. So just weeks after we returned from the cruise, six of us bundled off to Phuket for nine days. It was a mixed trip. We all got sick in turn (Thai equivalent of Bali Belly) so our excursions were limited. But there were always enough of us up and well to have a natter and laugh around the pool. We managed one evening show, one drive tour and one boat/canoeing trip, which was not bad, considering how sick each of us was in turn! Phuket and Paton Beach where we stayed were pretty uninspiring, but the islands of Phang Nga Bay were absolutely stunning!

 

How about that. Pretty much up to date! We've been home just over two weeks now and it seems like forever. The two big preoccupations right now are fitness and rentals. While we were touring in Italy and Singapore we did more walking than usual. Then on the ship, especially on the sea days when you're looking for activities, we became gym junkies! Weeelll,- we at least learned to use the treadmills and improved our fitness greatly. So now we're walking with friends most mornings for 3/4 to 1 hour !! Howzat! The other focus now is rentals; we thought they'd be pretty much dormant until the weather cleared, but we've been inundated,- mainly for the guest room, but starting to trickle in for the Kottage as well. More than we wanted really, but it's extra play money or an extra cruise, so can't complain. And we enjoy meeting most of the people who come, so it's not a hardship.    

I'm going to close and preview this really quickly before it rearranges itself !! Truly, I just think I have it and then the photos jump around of their own accord !! Gremlins !! Anyone who's better at this than I am (almost everyone ?!) feel free to coach/suggest.

'Bye to all.
Stay Happy and Well
THE HAPPY NOT-WANDERERS FOR A WHILE
Annie and Kathie