Moving a long

After spending Christmas and more time than originally intended at Rosie's and the farm in Hannam Vale, it was time for us to leave the place of rural peace and tranquility and start moving north to see some sites and visit friends. We’ve had a great time at Johns River and Hannam Vale.  I got to play at Rosie's Cafe just like in the old days when we had restaurants in Sydney, and Patricia helped to set up the Gallery with her donated photographs of the local birdlife, which look great and are very much admired by the visitors.

Part of the Gallery

 The Cafe is starting to pick up, and Luke and Lorri will make it a place for people to come and enjoy an hour of relaxing with great food and coffee and browsing through the Gallery and the gift-shop. 

Our first destination is Port Macquarie where we are staying with my aunt, Janet, and Eric.  Mal was generous enough to drive us here, which is about 30 miles north of Johns River.  Because we arrived a bit early and no one was home, we dropped our suitcases in the garage and walked to the beach. We just love the ocean, and the beaches here are so beautiful and seemingly endless.  At the beach, we encountered an unfamiliar site and wondered if we could get away with telling everyone that we made a quick stopover in Dubai.

What a great idea

After walking for a while along the beach, we found a coffee shop (Bitter Sweet) and treated ourselves to a cup of tea and some eggs for breakfast.

Back at the house, we spent the afternoon with Eric and his daughter, Sue.

After Sue left this morning, Eric took us to Ricardoes, a hydroponic farm with 2 acres of tomatoes under roof. Apparently, around here, every shop has tomatoes from Ricardoes, so what follows are pictures from our visit there. 

You don't have to bend down to pick the strawberry s

Eric & Patricia being good students 

Beehive is attached to the building for pollinating the strawberry's 

Great crop of  tomatoes 

I was exited to see the same products as we have at Roie's

My favorite display in the shop 

You can not get it any frescher than this

Patricia thinks she has gone to haven

Maximilian

Max has the right idea about everything and life.

Then there is Patricia working in the midday sun and loving it.

I think I know what I am coming back as next time around.
But things are getting done, and the courtyard is looking good.

Tomorrow the benches will go out, so keep tuned.

The garden is taking shape

The garden at Rosie's is taking shape.  Remember a while ago we liberated the water tank? Now Luke has to cut it into 3 parts, and we locate them strategically in the yard for the purpose of growing vegetables we can use in the restaurant.
First, we had some excitement; the truck delivering the dirt got stuck, and we had to bring Lorri's car in to pull it out.

Pulling out the truck

So Luke is prying and hoping that nothing else goes wrong.

Luke cutting the hose to be put on the rim

Then the cutting could start

Luke cutting the tank

Don't forget I am there taking pictures & responsibility.
Here I am punching holes into the bottom so the water has somewhere to go.

This is physical, & I do it with a smile.

Now it is Lorri's turn to put newspaper in the bottom.

Lorri putting newspaper in the bottom

Then it's my turn again to bring in the dirt.

Notice I am still smiling

Soon it will be Patricia's turn to plant stuff in there.

Another milestone

Another milestone in my life happened two days ago.  Tuesday was BINGO night at Johns River, and I went to the social occasion of the month. This was especially important, because it was the last one for this year, and after the game there was a social get-together.
So not to hold you any longer in suspense here are the pictures.

There was a big turnout this time

Game master Joe is handing out the game cards.

And then the game begins.

Everyone is riffited on the next number.

Then came the decisive game - I won a big price of a traveling bag and an umbrella.

Now the social part starts.

With a table full of great homemade goodies.

Me behind the camera making new friends.

The next BINGO night will be on the February the 14, so keep this date free.

Well, this morning on my way to the cafe, I ran into traffic, so I had to wait and slowly make my way.  It reminded me of driving on I5 into town, looks a bit the same.

Our first known destination

We have arrived, Malcolm gave us a lift to Johns River and Hannam Vale, and we had time last night to catch up with Lorrischka and Luke over a great dinner Luke prepared. I went and have a look at Rosies and was very impressed over the work that was done since we had left here around the beginning of January.

It really felt like coming home again. The night was not all that good for me, having eaten to much, (my stomach), but I take that, it was great sitting around the fireplace telling story's and hearing the latest gossip.

Today we got into the farm work and helping Malcolm to change brake-pads on Lorri's car.

More vegetables to plant

Luke had started making a few planter-boxes for planting vegetables, we knocked out about 3 of them and filled then with great compost before having lunch about 4PM prepared by Lorri and Patricia.

With great salad and a glass of Beer.

Patricia started taking pictures of birds again.
Tomorrow it will be shop time.