Year off around Australia

We arrive knowing that Colleen and her husband Bill, have already left for their Christmas family get together holiday. We have a nice chat with Tegan as she has called just as we pull up out front. We aren't expecting cars to still be in the double carport - Colleen had mentioned something about a couple of their grown up kids still being about sometimes (as they are living here too).... so not sure if someone still here....Colleen made mention - they'd come and go, and that we'd barely notice them...
Maybe they'll head to the family get together later, come back earlier - not sure???
Anyway, we proceed to park up our caravan - now making sure we don't block the carport exit, unhitch the ute and park it out of the way as well. Now proceed to settle ourselves into the house and keep reassuring the dogs we're meant to be here. Colleen has left us with good instructions - that back up/reinforce what she showed us on Thursday. The house is lovely and clean, and nicely set up for us to have a comfy stay. Colleen has welcomed us by leaving us a plate (in the fridge) of her lovely Florentine slice, and some bought Christmas biscuits on the table along with Christmas gifts for the dogs. We are looking after Jasper, a little terrier and Raylo a black and tan Cavalier - along with 3 chooks and an extensive garden to keep watered.
I'm abit concerned, on putting some of our stuff in the fridge - apart from the plate of slice left for us, there is a large home-made rocky road slice and a large container of Florentine slice in there as well - just hoping these haven't been left behind...? Message Colleen to find out - haven't received a response yet.
We have a supermarket pizza for our lunch (Rog got it as it was a special at $8) - cooked in the oven here nicely.
Spend the afternoon, settling in and calmly introducing ourselves to the dogs - they're being very good, though a little unsure of us, with some barking every now and again. Rog and I have afternoon tea so we can try the slice - mmmm very nice. By the time of the dogs tea time, and then later after taking them for a walk, think they're getting the idea they have to put up with us! Roger spends time outside watering the garden and checking the chooks.
Our tea tonight, chicken kievs with salad, then fresh fruit and yoghurt. Then we take the dogs for a short walk - the loop of this street.
We get back from this walk and watch a movie, Klaus, which Tegan and Lev recommended us to watch - it was good. Roger has a shower and heads to bed. I'm just writing this up and I'll follow to bed too.
22/12/24 Sunday Wake up around 6.30am and get up at 7am. Have our breakfast, porridge for me as I 've brought my Thermomix in (though this household has one - just the model before). Take the dogs for a walk around the block before it gets too warm. I tee up for some Nectarine & Gin sauce to be delivered to the carport here - as we'll be away later - we're going out for a Christmas get together lunch at a dear friend of Marilyn and Ray's.
I have a shower and get ready to go as Rog has been ready for a while. Leave the dogs inside as instructed and head out at 10am. We go to Marilyn and Ray's, then follow them to their lovely friend's place, also in Armadale. Lee and her family, son James and daughter Emily welcome us into their tidy, small home to join with their family and friends for a magnificent Christmas lunch. Could not be nicer, alot of effort made to be festive (appreciate this so much more knowing that Lee's husband Allan just recently passed away). Roger and I very spoilt and included in the gift giving - even though we were assured (so didn't) that we mustn't bring anything (we only took our own drinks). So lovely being with this family with a couple of babies and Rachel's and Nigel's 3 boys Bruce, Raymond and Nigel. The food provided by Lee, Emily and James (a chef) is so delicious! By mid afternoon, when others are starting to leave, Roger and I do too. Get back to the dogs and the garden - Roger looking after all today, Once garden is watered Roger gets our tea of chops and salad. We don't worry about dessert - eaten so much today, plus with receiving a lovely Christmas parcel from Raels and Troy - relishes, chocolates, roast peanuts in their shells and wrapped gifts I'll save for Christmas Day - I've overeaten on the chocolates. We watch another Christmas movie - a favourite - The Holiday. Roger has his shower, I tidy up and put on the dishwasher, to bed.
23/12/24 Monday Have a nice sleep in - Roger up earlier, I get up after 8am. No plans today - apart from doing our housesitting duties and getting our washing done (with some of the home owners- so 3 loads today). We do go to Roleystone shopping centre to get some groceries - then we go to a Armadale shopping centre that has the library - so we can get some printing done (my Canada flights itinerary- Roger a letter he wants to send to Vic Police). Get back and have lunch, sandwiches for Rog, yoghurt and banana for me. Roger watches a movie (too warm to be outside at this time) - I keep the washing happening - and messaging with friends and family. Stacy let's me know that Lexi (Robert's 1st dog of 3) has a nasty infection (pus coming from her vulva) - and on taking her to the vet, best option is to remove her uterus (desex). Is going to be quite an expense - proud that Robert and Stacy, have the savings to cover, and being responsible pet owners. Lexi is a beaut dog and devoted to Robert - so fingers are crossed that she'll be alright. Washing gets done and Roger does tea again - panfried chicken with hot spud and salad. Don't worry about dessert - chocolates and Florentine slice been nibbled throughout the day. Next relaxing, I'm catching this up, Roger watching another movie. My right eye is still very red - yesterday morning had a bleed in it that has made it abit sore and unattractive. Hopefully will clear up soon. Relaxing until bedtime.
24/12/24 Tuesday 7am out of bed for breakfast, then take Jasper and Raylo for a walk around the block. Roger goes down to the local shopping centre to get 2 cook chooks and pick up the bread roll order -24 dinner rolls. This is what we've been asked (we offered) to bring for Christmas lunch tomorrow. I happily catch up with some messaging to family and friends. When Roger gets back I go have a shower to get ready to go for a drive. We head off around 10am.
We get back after lunch 2.30pm. I make a jelly slice while Roger has a relax before getting into the garden and watering. We then relax together watching a Christmas movie "That Christmas". Tea tonight is a couple of gourmet pies that Rog got at the supermarket this morning. Roger goes has his shower, I'm just writing this up then I'll be off to bed too.
25/12/24 Wednesday Merry Christmas!! Rog and I get up 7am and have our usual breakfast. Open the dogs gifts for them - both got new toys, then exchange our gifts with each other. I've given Roger a coffee maker and coffee grinder so he can make fresh coffee while we're travelling and he's given me a good head torch (I needed!). Raels and Troy have gifted us a book each - wonderful as we're enjoying our reading when we relax. Now we spend some time sending and replying to Christmas best wishes from friends and family. Enjoy a lovely call from Tegan and Lev. I have a quick shower to get ready to head to Laurie and Toni Walker's home in Port Kennedy. Both Roger and I go in our bathers to be ready for Marilyn's traditional water fight, packing a change of clothes for afterwards. Only food we're taking is 2 cooked chooks (that Roger has pulled the meat off ready to be served) and 24 dinner rolls. We leave around 10am.
Get back from Laurie's around 4pm - after a wonderful time. We take Jasper and Raylo for a walk around the block, then Roger does some more watering in the garden. Then relax time, we don't worry about tea for us (so full from all the food we had at lunch), just feed the dogs their tea, watch a Christmas movie, then bed.
26/12/24 Thursday Boxing Day. We get up, knowing we're going to Liz (Ray's sister) and Jim's for brunch, due there at 9.30am, so Rog has a light breakfast (just weetbix) and I have orange juice. Roger makes sure the dogs, chooks and garden are all in order before we leave. Set off at 9.15am.
Return around 2pm - after going to the shops in Armadale on our way back - getting some groceries, and a microwave sandwich toaster from Kmart (which was recommended by Liz's family). We now relax, before heading off at 3.30pm to go to the speedway at Perth Motorplex Kwinana. Roger makes sure all is in order with our housesit before we go.
We get home around 10.45pm. Shower for Rog, and we're to bed.
27/12/24 Friday. Yay don't have plans until later today so I happily have a 'lie in' reading my book (a Dick Francis) until I finish it . Roger gets up around 7.30am and takes care of his breakie, the dogs, chooks and garden and has a relax too - reading in the lounge. I get up after 11am so have a shower to freshen up and then make an omelette for my brunch. Roger has already had a sandwich. Enjoy a relaxing time, then get ready to go to Marilyn and Ray's for a BBQ get together in our honour - as our 'send off'. We leave around 4pm.
Get back around 9.30pm. Happy to just make sure the dogs are settled and we head to bed.
28/12/24 Saturday No plans today apart from washing and preparing to be right to leave here tomorrow. So Rog up at 7.30am, I read until 8am then get up too. Have a good day doing what we need to and relaxing as well. Roger goes to the shops for grocery stock up and fuel, I just get going with 2 loads of washing. Lunch today, toasted sandwiches with our new toastie maker. I make a batch of Anzac biscuits, then some rum balls (something different). Roger doing a great job of thoroughly watering the garden throughout the afternoon. Roger cooks tea - chicken and roast vegetables with a carrot bake (Thermomix). Tidy up, feeling on top of things, so relaxing in front of TV, while I catch up on this, before bed.
29/12/24 Sunday. Leaving day today...so I get up before 6am and jump straight in the shower. Roger gets up as well and strips the bed ready for us to wash the sheets and other items we've used (bath mat, t-towels, clothes etc). While washing happening we have our breakfast and continue tidying up and packing away our stuff back to the caravan. We make sure we leave this home the way we'd like to find it if it was ours. We do well, after saying goodbye to the dogs Jasper and Raylo (and leaving them with a raw bone each to keep them happy), locking up the house and leaving the keys hidden in the BBQ, we're gone before 8.30am. Heading to Dwellingup.Lue lisää