#2025 Monday 4th October

We're in Albany.... we traveled down through Brookston, Pingelly and so on..... roads that I last traveled 35 years ago in my red MGB.  There was no traffic at all so it was a good trip.  As we got closer to Albany the views of the Stirling Ranges were very rewarding.

We arrived in Albany at 4.30pm and settled in at.....  It's a very pleasant spot..... no views but modern, clean and well maintained.  I discovered that we needed a short extension cord....  so a trip to Bunnings was essential. 

This morning we headed round the harbor to the Gap.... Awesome. 

Kaylia was clearly impressed and enjoyed looking over the edge into the depths of the Gap.

Then it was op shop time...... and 10 dvds later we headed back to base for dvds and bubble bath time while I went to visit Trevor and Margaret Forrest who I last saw about 10 years ago. 

Now we're at the Aquatic Centre...... Kaylia is doing her floating zen time. 

#2024 Friday 1st October 2021

The second attempt to give Kaylia her first covid jab has failed.....  despite a strong dose of Valium, she couldn't overcome her needle phobia.  Once again she really wanted to have it..... but she cannot remain still and so it's just too dangerous to do any more.  The doctor's advice is to double the dose of sedative when we make the next attempt on Tuesday 12th.

On Sunday we will drive down to Albany fo a few days holiday.  We will be able to catch up with friends and relies.  It's the first time that Kaylia has been there. 

#2023 Tuesday 28th September

Today was supposed to be the first "jab day" for Kaylia..... but she failed.  Despite really wanting to have the jab..... and despite some huge "carrots" being dangled, she still couldn't accept the needle and we had to abort the attempt.  I'll try again on Thursday morning and this time we have some"happy drug" (Valium) to try. Hopefully this will reduce her distress and allow her to take the needle. 

#2022 Sunday 26th September

It's an "Ooopps" day today...... Kaylia loves her dvds and she makes huge stacks if them..... and sometimes the stack comes crashing down!

.....  and it just did. 

 She fills up a few shopping bags with dvds to take back to the op shop..... and the problem is fixed. 

Over the past few days I've been having a "shed fix" and I've begun work on an ambitious project that I've been mentally planning.  It's an attachment for the Kanga loader that allows the loader to operate as a grader. 

 This is the "bought one" version.... it costs over $20,000

My project is much less ambitious and since the material used to construct it will be almost entirely recycled, it will be a very low cost machine. 

First stage has been the basic frame.... that attaches to the Kanga. 

The next stage is the actual blade. 

The blade will mount under the frame with a coupling that allows it to swivel horizontally and vertically. 

The final stage will be fitting the blade to the frame and constructing "control arms" that will set the position of the blade when in use.  It will have no hydraulics at all..... which means that it is very simple. 

#2021 Monday 13th September

...... and we have ducks adopting us!

They've worked out where the chooks are being fed and they come and join in.  They're very welcome.  We just hope that when ducklings arrive that they will come too. 

#2020 Sunday 12th September 2021

Last week I had a follow up scan that would detect any remaining cancer cells after the removal of the thyroid.  Fortunately there was no sign of any cancer.  This scan did not give any information about the abnormal growth in the tongue.  I will see a specialist about this next Tuesday.    

Over the past couple of weeks I've been building a new chook pen to house our 3 chickens. It is built totally from recycled materials.... apart from the concrete foundations, the screws and the sand floor. 

The pen is now complete and we will move the chooks into their new home this week.

Today was DVD day at the op shops ..... Kaylia is still obsessed with her collection and the stack is huge.  Periodically she decides that the collection is too big and she fills a few bags with DVDs to return them to the op shops.

#2019 Wednesday 25th August

The increase in the dose of Lovan is working well.  Kaylia seems much more settled.

I had an ultrasound today in preparation for the CT scan of my thyroid on the 8th Sept.  This is a check on status to see if the cancer is still around.  At the session this morning, there was some serious behaviour from the doctor and sonographers..... I guess that is not a good sign.  I'd better get ready for more hospital time.