Day trip day today. Bel and I spent the morning getting the lamb shanks in the slow cooker then we all headed off to Cessnock to the tip.

I went with dad in the patrol with the horse float and bel went in our car with the blonde assassins. Dad and I went straight to the tip to drop of the rubbish. Bloody smelly place and the mud was terrible. Once done dad dropped me off at Woolworth’s to meet the ladies.

Did a little shopping the took the girls to McDonalds for lunch. We decided to drive thru pokolbin out on broke road thru broke to get home.

We stopped at petersons chocolate house for some chocolate then headed off. We decided to head back thru he back way from Wollombi to hit the seven creek crossings as they would be full of water.

Got home about 4 then started to organise dinner. Girls had left over pasta (they were so tired) and we had shanks and mash. Was very good.

Rain and more rain. We all got out of bed about 9:30am and wandered thru the day. Charlotte, Sophie and Dad went for a walk in the rain. Char in the drizabone – Sophie got drenched thru an old rain coat. They had fun stomping in puddles and getting wet.

Then the rest of the day was spent going stir crazy in the house….

Bel made a batch of her famous scones, the cream is going be a problem his evening.

Cut up the cube roll for dinner his evening. Steak looked awesome. Dad decided to cook it on the stovetop, worked well but may be too hot. Also did spuds in the oven in duck fat.

The day was totally focused on the big boy. The Vet was to arrive about 2:30pm how ever rocked up about 1pm. Wasn’t the nicest thing to see. There was a growth on the left eye that needed to be removed. The vet gave him a mild aesthetic to knock him down. The important thing, we were told, was to make suer he fell onto the right side. Once he was out it would be impossible to move him over.

Once down the vet cut the growth (carcinoma) out of his eye, blood everywhere but no stiches needed. Eventually he woke up and was groggy on the feet for a while. Ting also needed some medicine for her eye.

Then the rain came and we were stuck inside for the rest of the day. Mum headed back to Sydney and I made Fettuccini and chicken for dinner.

Good day today. Made scrambled eggs and salmon for breakfast. Played board games with the girls. Basic toasted sandwiches for lunch then we all hoped in the gator and head up to Ian’s ridge top platform or Eerie they are calling it.

Long walk up the ridge with Charlotte complaining all the way. Grass seeds in her socks, feet hurting, are we there yet?? Had to climb a few ropes and we were there. Gorgeous view.

As you can see it is well up top of the ridge.

Came home, Bel and I went for a quick ride up the valley then set up the hammock under the climbing tree.

For dinner I made a green chicken curry for all then a game of quirkle and bed.

Everything coming along nicely.

Charlotte captured a Dragon fly in the veggie patch. Budding Alby Mangles.

On arrival at approx 1:15pm ( Bel was very quick to mention she nearly beat my time) we were greeted by Chootie, Al, Crayden and Ann. Was lovely to see them all again.

It had been some time since they had seen the Blonde Assassins. After a lovely Thai Beef Salad and bangers, the family headed home under the watchful navigators eye.

Grandpa took the girls for a nice long ride on the Gator and then to be climbing tree. After I fixed the gate we came home for a glass of bubbles and dinner.

The girls knocked off Chicken and flat bread whilst mum cooked up a storm with spatchcock and spuds. Very nice.