Mike and I were banished last night into the main house as we were going for a ride in the morning. Mike slept in front of the fire and I in mum and dads bed. Just a little creepy.

Woke up at 5:30 am and was bloody cold. About 3 degrees. Got up and got on the bike at 6:30. Decided to head into Wollombi. Very cold and mist everywhere. Could not seein front of your face. Got to wollombi and there were cars everywhere. At 7 am??? Remembered it was ANZAC day and everyone at the tav for dawn service.

Went a few Kms on the broke road then turned around. When we hit the front gate the fog cleared.

Scrambled eggs and bacon for brekkie. Buggered around for a few hours then headed off in the cars to Finchly lookout. All very impressed. On the way back I decided to find the spot where we can see the house from the road. Picked the wrong spot but managed to stumble on a echidna. Everyone jumped out of the cars for photos. Very cute.

Headed home and made pizza for lunch as mike was teaching Ben to drive on the flat. After a long lunch I headed off to fairy land with all kids as bel made Anzac bikkies. Tea a bikkies as they packed the car then they headed off after a few games of catch.

Made yellow chicken curry for the ladies and gave them a early night. And here we are. 8:30, two bottles of wine done and the fire on. About to watch a movie then catch tadpoles with the morts in the morning.

Made brekkie for the kids and then mike and I headed off for a ride around 9:30am around the yango track. Lovely morning and was a good ride.

Came across a few blokes on trail bikes at the trig station. Did the loop in 1:34 ish.

Home and showered. He girls and the kids had walked to the eerie and the yurt. Came back to mikes chicken hamburgers. Very tasty.

Lazy afternoon. Reading mags. Bel and Ben went for a ride up the valley and Mike and Ann went for a walk. Meanwhile the kids and i collected firewood and made a fire.

Marshmallows were had whilst Ting was a pain in the butt hanging around, eating marshmallows and tipping over drinks.

Dinner was Mikes Salmon and chips. Then uno and early to bed.

Lazy start to the day. Nothing much of note. Helped mum and dad clear branches from the creek crossing and gate. Mowed the strip to the left if the gate as well as the right.

Cut down a few black wattles and threw them in the bongo fire. Earlier we also cleared a few dead wattles from across the creek near the old sheds. Charlotte helped here.

Mike, Ann and the kids arrived up around 7:30pm. Had shanks in the slow cooker with mash and broc.

Good feed and early to bed as off for a ride in the AM with mike.

Raining last night. Stopped around 6am. Didn’t go for a ride but got pushed out of the bed from my three girls.

Made pancakes for brekkie. Easy recipe. 1 cup flour, 1 cup milk and one egg. Had with bacon and maple syrup. Now wish I had gone for a ride.

Buggered around all morning. Nothin really done. Mum made a warm spicy quail salad. Had planned to go for a ride this arvo but three bottles of wine later though best not too.

Girls have been doing each others hair. God help us!

Now what to do? 3:35? Maybe a bottle of bubbles or take the chain saw to the fallen tree. Who knows.

What’s been going on here?

Decided that the front lawn needed a mow. Cracked out the mower and knocked it off.

Made dinner. Tonight was a Greek chicken and couscous salad. Work out ok but buggered up the capsicums. Not to worry, did the rest by hand.

On a side note. What do you recon was going on here?

Lovely sound after the rain.

Lovely morning. Cool but warmed up quickly. Had scrambled eggs, bacon and Salmon for brekkie. Then Bel and I with the girls went for a walk up the creek.

Nice big holes in the creek and a lot of erosion. Surprised that the creek crossing held up. Is fine and dandy.

Before lunch we replanted the veggie patch with mum and dad. Sophie and Charlotte a great (not really) help. Pulled some lettuce out. There is also some rhubarb to pull out. That will be bels job.

Lunch was Turkish bread sandwiches. Nothing too flash. Then Dad, Charlotte and myself headed off in the gator to cut up a couple of trees up the top. Charlotte was a good help in dishing out instructions and letting us know how far she could throw a stick! Very productive.

We then set a fire in the fire pit near the yards before dinner. Bel made a roast dinner with chocolate and peanut butter fondant. Can already feel the calories! Was tops.

Mum and Dad brought Sophie up on the Friday. Torrential rain on the Friday and Saturday. Charlotte, Bel and I arrived yesterday at 6:45. Was a very misty and slow ride up.

We had a Japanese beef soup dish for dinner. Very nice, should have taken a picture. Recipe below. Early night to bed, quite a cool evening.