My 2018
The year started with sharing numerous trips with my sister in taking dad to the hospital for his Chemo - 6 cycles in total. In mid February, Rebecca comes out for 2 weeks to help look after him. We manage a ride out to Henderson with her. His friend, Clarissa, also came out for a couple of weeks in early April to care for him. The big deal was the all clear for the cancer in June just days before we left for Europe for 6 weeks. Dad moved into a facility in Como for respite care while I was away. He was to move in properly soon after I came back. It was a big step, given that he had a whole house to himself before and coming over for a coffee or even dinner, is now a much more serious affair.
Here at number 7, work on the office renovation continued, tiling was accomplished in March, guttering in April but it was November before the inside window sills were finished - the old window timbers reused. Details are below.
I do remember that we ended up going to the beach almost everyday that January.
By late Feburary, the cast on my right arm is gone and my lateral epicondylitis has been sorted, I can now wield a hammer or an electric drill, ride distances and swim without the brace.
Friday, 19th of March was a quick ride up to Cottesloe for a swim and the annual Sculptures by the Sea.
May saw Ildako stay over for three nights and we managed to catch a Lano and Woodley performance at the Regal Theatre in Subiaco. We also managed a drive up to Lancelin and Eneabba to see fellow windfarmers' (the Rossers) and their projects - second hand wind turbines (500kW E40s) and behind the meter at carrot and almond farms - huge irrigation loads. Very different economics to our projects and it is all very impressive with very hard won technical abilities.
Europe
Towards the end of June, we fly out to Vienna for six weeks and I begin an intensive German course, I had been threatening to do this for years. 5 weeks of every working weekday, rolling down the 100m hill and across the middle of town. Downhill most of the way in and uphill home. Not surprisingly, it punches a big hole in the day. I think my German has improved, or maybe I just understand better just how much more time and effort I really need to put into German.
Beyond German classes, see below.
Back in Perth
In the middle of winter, Mum had found a new place she really liked and had moved in by October. Both parents were very lucky to get what they did against a backdrop of house prices in Perth failling since 2014.
In September, with our neighbour from number 1, Deidre, we drove out to the Blues for the Bush festival held at the Bush Heritage Australia's Charles Darwin Reserve in the midwest. We stayed the first two nights at the Mt Gibson Reserve of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. A write up is below.
In October, from a contact I made during the conference in Collie, CycleTrek.com, I spent a weekend mountain biking near Donnybrook with my nephew Isaac and brother in law, Graham. My sister, Bridget and her daughter Alice came, too and walked some the nearby Bibblbum track.
Spring, and a dragonfly from our pond.
Road bike rides around the river and out to Hendersen continue. Twice, we come across this Osprey just west of the Matilda Bay Brewey.
In November, we manage a ride out to Greenmount via the cycleway alongside Roe to check out the new bikebridge over Welshpool Road and how the cycleway threads through the massive Roe and Tonkin Highway interchange. After completing a jigsaw puzzle with young Matilda and Tamantha, we cycle back home along the railway. Longest day in the saddle for awhile, 105km.
The beehive continues to deliver, and we extract about 20kg of honey in April and November.
Finally, in December and after talking about it since we moved in 13 years ago, we begin renovating the kitchen. A mild but dry start to summer is appreciated as cabinet doors, timber and appliances pile up outside . . .
SkyFarming