WEEKS END, WEEKS BEGIN (35 and 36 down)

(Here we are sharing/counting UP Forty Days and Forty Nights of our lives, our last on the inner-west side of town and, eventually, some of our first on the other (far) side of town, where we envisage some big changes coming our way. Thanks for joining us as we remember, celebrate and experience gratitude for our time here, and sometimes feel completely overwhelmed and exhausted by the changes underway!)

Elsa improvises on the nature table theme with treasure from the new garden

This past weekend was a good one, a good, busy one (!) featuring friends and family, chickens and eggs, half-painted rooms, crumbling ceilings, sunflower gardens, a school open day ('fete'), a bird's nest and other garden treasure, the relocation of a sandpit, chats with new neighbours, the cleaning of gutters, the climbing of trees, tea and more tea, meals on unfinished floors, watermelon in the garden, a visit from the fairies and so much more. I am gradually feeling less of a pull towards home/the 'old' place; we're finding ourselves loitering about our new place long after the chickens are fed and watered and other jobs have reached their natural conclusion for the day. As we loiter, we chat about our plans for the garden, the house and life in general post our move. Then we remind each other that we really should get ourselves home and the kids to bed!

at Ghilgai Open Day

Friday night with friends - the little ones (and one big Dada)

We're feeling the pinch of the final days and because there's so much more to do both here and at the new house, we've decided to delay our move by a few weeks. That's made possible by the fact that the new owners are not moving in until mid-December. Though we are feeling ever-so eager to be settled at the other end, we are also looking forward to enjoying more of the inner-west before the final move. So, in reality, the number fifity should have appeared in the title to this here celebration of ours! Perhaps we can celebrate the fact that, by day 40, about a third of the painting will be complete!

Rafa spent much time here this past weekend



A sandpit is relocated thanks to the help of friends - we shared a fantastic, big breakfast together before the work began and followed with a big lunch at the new house - we thank through FOOD!!!

So, while we hope these extra few weeks of living on this side of town will afford us the pleasure of more time with local friends, extra visits to the beach, more meals at our favourite restaurants, more chai teas at our favourite cafes...and much more in general, there's still much to do before we leave so liesure time will be minimal. We remind ourselves that this upcoming move is unparalled in our lives together, so far as moves are concerned; no airports or international flights are involved and we can speak the language at the other end! And most significantly, they'll be nothing stopping us from making many return visits!

This afternoon, after three  plus years of attending  our local Steiner playgroup/preschool, Elsa bid adieu with the promise of returning for visits. When we first joined this group, she was but a babe in arms, crawling about the room, splashing in the hand-washing basin and watching ever-so carefully every little thing that everyone around her did! She's always been a big observer. Today I realised that she's completely at home in the space having gained confidence in all the familiar faces and names, smells and sights and that she no longer observes only, she's also right in the thick of the play. She has many fond memories of her time there and I do hope to make it back for a visit now and then.

Some treats from Sedonia

On our way to playgroup today, after visiting Plump for our weekly food shop , we stoped here to collect a card for Elsa's teacher. This place gets better and better! We left with the card and a few other things (oops) and I tried not to drool on the wares as the kids dragged me out (not quite but, I like the imagery!). I'd like to squeeze in a child-free visit before the move!