We kept our fingers crossed for a fine weekend, and headed off on Thursday morning to the CMCA (Caravan and Motorhome Club of Australia) State Rally in Beverley. The rain appeared to be holding off but as we drove through York, a town just outside Beverley there was a short, sharp shower but this blew away as we carried on into Beverley.
We arrived around 2.00pm and joined the throng. (around 110 vans). We were actually quite late arriving as most people seem to have been loitering around the town waiting for the gates to open at 8.00am. We were happy with our parked spot - at the front of what turned out to be the last line. Nice views all round and no close neighbours.
The Rally was well organised and there was the usual stuff - disc bowls, dog show, some craft workshops, some brand new motorhomes on display. There were also some talks by interesting people on ... fire safety, first aid, cardiac health, 'seniors issues' and there was a fashion show too.
The town of Beverley is quite small but has some lovely architecture, a couple of museums and enough shops to see us through the weekend. The sun came out on Friday morning and although there was a cool breeze, it was nice and sunny during the day, the nights were COLD though.
We, as usual, spent most of our time catching up with old friends.
The geodesic dome, erected in 1965. Designed by American architect Buckminster Fuller, it was thought to be the style of the future - now the petrol station
The aeronautical museum
The old Court House, built in 1897.
The style is 'Federation Free Classical and Federation Arts and Crafts'.
It served as the court house until 1980, it is now in use as a fitness centre.
Late on Sunday afternoon the rain came back and we decided to 'chicken out' and headed off for home, arriving around 7.00pm just after dark.
During the night a storm passed over and we were glad to be tucked up in our bed at home.
We learnt later that we drove into the storm, they only had a light shower in Beverley and then a couple more days of fine weather - oh well.
Now settled back in at home we have had the air conditioner fixed - a blown fuse. The fuse wasn't just blown it was smashed - totally disintegrated, luckily the a/c unit has a built in surge protector so the unit itself was undamaged. It was some thunder storm they had in July - one of our neighbours has apparently got a large crack in his lounge wall and he has lost most of his electrical equipment, seems like we got off lightly. (I'm glad that I unplugged our tv, computer and other electrical bits before we went on holiday. I didn't unplug the microwave because the plug is awkward to get to). The cost of a new fuse? $100.
Whilst we were away on holiday we had our olive trees pruned - they were long overdue but we had been away at the right time of year to prune.
Every year a lovely couple from Perth come up to pick the olives that we leave on the trees - they work really hard and strip the trees. We met when I put a notice on the board at work (years ago) saying that anyone who wanted olives could come and help themselves - no charge. This couple were the night cleaners and were the only takers, they have been coming regularly since. They commented that the trees needed pruning and we told them that we would be away in June when it's meant to be done - they offered to do the job for us in exchange for the olives that we let them have every year. We certainly didn't mind and even left the chainsaw and ladder out for them. They did a really good job, the trees are now a manageable size.
The dead branches were piled up and we have now managed to burn them and other dead wood but there is still a bit more to do. Luckily because of the wet weather the burning season has been extended a couple of weeks, we can now prune the WA Peppermint trees that line our driveway and burn the cut branches. That is if it stops raining long enough, we've had a few nice days but have been out doing other garden chores, now the rain has returned.The front areas of grass and the grass around the orchard has been cut and most of the weeds have been pulled up and burnt. It's starting to look as if someone who cares lives here!
When it's raining I haven't just been sitting around reading - I've emptied the office, moved everything out ready to clean and repaint. We are going to have a go at DIY because the stories about painting prices are scary - for a whole house around $10,000?!! We're starting in the office to practice as most of the walls in there are covered by bookcases, pictures etc as well as rows of car number plates around the top of the walls. We plan to do a room at a time, over summer. Then there's the outside to paint.....
Another reason that I wanted to start with the office is that once it's painted we're getting a new computer - I will get an imac and Michael will get an ipad. We are trying to get a decent internet / telephone package but things are not easy when you live out of the metro area, not every telco can provide a service. We are trying to get away from our $36 month Telstra monthly line rental. The options out there are mind boggling, when we get a new computer we'll have to pick one. Then the jobs will probably have to wait while we play!!!
Until the next 'post' .
