Wednesday, April 30, 2014






Due to work commitments 'retired' Grandad departed for Perth just in time for the start of the school holidays! We loved having him around and perhaps it is our turn to head west. next time.



The first day of holidays is always a slow morning…everyone relishing the fact of not having to meet deadlines. With the girls happily playing in their pi's, I took advantage of the sunny weather to complete some outside jobs.



Eventually they came out to see what I was up to. Nothing exciting really - cleaning the chicken coop, transplanting a bush, trimming the spent crepe myrtle flowers… meanwhile the girls were inspired to collect worms which then turned into building their own worm farms.




By mid afternoon it was time to 'do' something and that something turned out to be do a lap of the block. Ella on her roller-skates who aspires to complete the lap without help and Katy who is improving her scooting abilities! Plus Pippa who was content to walk!

Halfway around there were a few tired girls who's motivation levels had plummeted! A short rest on the curb helped as did changing transport methods. It wasn't long before we were heading towards the house again.





Monday, April 28, 2014

Budding Speleologists

Located 36km northwest of Canberra as the crow flies is a small country village called Wee Jasper home of Careys Cave. To reach the cave we drove the circuitous 86kms via Uriarra crossing, along the Murrumbidgee River around the northern edge of the Brindabella Range to the Goodradigbee River. Although it took us over an hour negotiating the winding road the scenery was picturesque especially with all the recent rain making for lots of lush green rolling hills.

Initially we thought we'd join the 1.30pm tour after a picnic lunch, however we arrived at Careys Cave earlier than expected and in time for the tour starting at noon. Descending the 30 concrete steps we plunged into another world.

Our tour began in the first of 7 chambers and would uncover a wealth of underground secrets through to perfectly preserved graffiti dating back to the late 1800s. The cave was discovered by female explorers who would tuck their skirts into their bloomers and wriggle through tight spaces with nothing more than a candle or two to light the way!

So what exactly did we learn?  Well Careys Cave is a limestone cave. In simple terms (I'm sure Eoin will correct me on any mistakes!) most limestone is formed over millions of years, on ancient ocean floors. Being very soluble, limestone is easily dissolved especially by rainwater which picks up carbon dioxide from the air making it more acidic. The water enters crevices and joints in the limestone dissolving the rock as it progresses creating cavities which enlarge to become chambers. Underground water flow also carves and sculptures passageways connecting these chambers. 

Then when the water table drops, these chambers and passageways dry out ready to be decorated! The acidic rain trickles through the limestone it loses the carbon dioxide and deposits calcium carbonate with the resulting mineral being calcite. How the cave is decorated depends on the whether the water drips, seeps, flows or sits in pools. 

We learnt about straws and crystal formation; stalactites (grow down from the ceiling); stalagmites (grow up from the splashing drips of the stalactites); columns where stalactites meet stalagmites; shawls (commonly known as prosciutto where the water trickles down a sloping surface; cave coral or popcorn; flowstones and helictites.


For nearly 2 hours we were educated about the geology of this cave including one point where all lights were extinguish so we experienced complete darkness allowing our other senses to kick in. Candles were subsequently lit like the olden days and our perceptions challenged.

Touching any rock in the cave is a big no - no as the oil and dirt from ones hands permanently discolours the rocks. To encourage visitors not to touch, a table with specimens was set up. Again various pieces on the table were discussed and passed around. Of course the girls favourites were the sparkly ones!



I was very impressed that the guide was able to include Ella and Katy in his tour presentation. They remained captivated for pretty much the whole time becoming a little restless and tired in the last 10 minutes or so. All in all the day trip exceeded my expectations and has become a very special memory.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Yah for Grandad

As Andy flew out for a two week work trip to Germany, Sweden and Netherlands) Grandad impulsively booked a plane ticket and arrived two days later!  Landing on Sunday afternoon meant he was greeted at the gate by two very excited granddaughters.

As per normal we had a heap of things in store for Grandad. There was classrooms and teachers to be shown off, swimming and ballet lessons to attend with the usual chores in-between plus several fun last week of school activities!

Ella ran in the school cross country on Tuesday and seemed to enjoy it - particularly sprinting the last bit when you can see the finish line (advice given by one of the teachers!)

Wednesday saw Grandad pick up the girls from school on their bikes, treat them to an ice cream and ride home without too many problems. While I was working late, Nana took them back to her house for dinner.

Grandad successfully caught the bus to school with the girls on Thursday. However by mid morning he was struck down with a nasty gastro bug that saw him confined to bed for 24 hours. It was a miserable rainy day and so Katy's Teddy Bears Picnic planned by the preschool after school was cancelled.

A quite day on Friday for Grandad while everyone was at work and school ensured that he was back to health in time for our Saturday outing....

Friday, April 18, 2014

Latest Airport Discovery...

From the amount of time we spend at Canberra airport picking up or dropping off people (mostly Andy and my parents) you think we would know it like the back of our hand. However two weeks ago when we took Andy to the airport (conferences and meetings in Germany, Sweden and Netherlands) the girls made a startling discovery.

It wasn't the water vortexes that are outside the main entrance of the airport. These are very impressive and the water patterns and colour provide a talking point every time as we pass by. .Just beyond the security gates within the atrium area are two glass panels in the floor. Looking through these one is treated to a birds eye view of the baggage conveyor belt! The girls spent about 40 minutes running between these two windows which are about 15 metres apart spotting luggage! A great way to count down the time til Andy departed!


Prior to leaving the house Katy seemed a little sad. When Andy asked her what the problem was and did she need a cuddle she told him that her Daddy love was no longer up here (pointing to the top of her head) but was only to here (indicating to the stomach). Apparently the love for Daddy disappears when he is away but luckily on the way to the airport this morning to pick Andy up, it had been replenished all ready for Daddy's arrival! What a funny chicken!


Thursday, April 17, 2014

Cooking

With the temperature dropping as we head into autumn, the plants in the vegie garden were well past their best - time to get cooking! Picked all of the remaining green tomatoes and pulled up the plants, along with the zucchini's, eggplants and cucumbers. Now Andy and I aren't big chutney or pickle fans but luckily Dad is, so after a google search I found Retro Green Tomato Pickles recipe.

Adapted the recipe to use up the 2.8kg of tomatoes that I'd just picked. Scrapped together enough of the other ingredients and cooked up some pickles. Unfortunately I hadn't been very organised in saving jars and was hoping that the local food lovers shop would be open....was out of luck there. In the end found myself back at coles buying some relatively pricy jars. As a result, there are now numerous jars of pickles developing their flavours in the laundry waiting for Dad's next visit!

I've had several other recent successes in the kitchen that gained the girls approval (a very difficult feat in its self!) First a batch of melting moments. I was surprised at how easy these are to make these are sure to make another appearance soon.

Finally was Beef Bourguignon - which translates to beef in red wine done in the slow cooker accompanied by pasta (kids) and crusty bread (for us). A perfect recipe for the upcoming winter.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Open Day @ Ballet

Growing up with an older brother and street full of boys left no time for girlie stuff like dresses, ballet  or netball. In fact I tended to shy away from anything remotely girlie. So I was surprised when at the tender age of three, that Ella only wanted to wear dresses or skirts that were pink and twirly. And also at Susie's 40th when Katy, as a nearly three year old, first demonstrated her natural rhythm on the dance floor. This has all lead to where we are today (or actually a few weeks ago) - ballet open day!

Now I'm still learning all the rules and etiquette of ballet but I can't think of any other sport or activity where you are not allowed to watch your child. I mean I'm not really complaining as I do get to chat with friends. As a result for this lack of observation of said child's involvement and progress, the ballet school for one lesson each term encourages parents, grandparents, siblings or whoever....to come along.

Katy's lesson is first with 6 other girls including Mira. Led by Miss Kristina, the girls are encouraged to be creative and expressive through exploration of body movement and interpretation of music. They completed moves like tap the fairy and role play such as going ice skating. It was lovely to see how engaged Katy was in the class.

I missed the first 15 mins of Ella's class (as Katy's class overlaps), but was instantly taken by the significant contrast between the two. Where Katy's lesson is relaxed and creative, Ella's is formal and disciplined! Instructed by Miss Lorraine, the students are arranged in evenly spaced rows, with set positions/sequences being practices, repeated and mastered. Miss Lorraine, the Director of the school is a wonderful teacher who has very high expectations of the students delivered in a firm but positive manner and embellished with a sense of humour. In watching Ella's lesson I realise how great these lessons will be to develop her patience, self awareness, concentration, self control and discipline.

Both girls are loving ballet so much that we have signed up for another term! Now just waiting for Velvet Grounds to finally open!!