We spent a lovely Easter week on the farm with my gorgeous cousins Dave, Leah and Mel and their awesome friends Dao and Eph. We met Dao and Eph and Dave and Mel’s wedding in Italy last year and it was great to spend time with them and the rest of my family again. As you can see, we had a fantastic time. Riley was still off skiing because of his broken arm. It was out of plaster but he wasn’t allowed to do a lot of things. It didn’t stop Finn and the rest of us though.
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The Vallances on the Great Barrier Reef
The weather cleared up perfectly for us to spend a day on the reef in the new boat. It was a glorious day, not a breath of wind and the water was oily calm. We got a few feeds of fish and, since the water was sooooo clear, we spent ages drifting over bommies, peering at all the fish and coral below. On the way back we stopped at Russell Island so the boys could have a swim.
Cross country
Cross country was last week and Finn won his age level. Riley came in 8th which is fantastic because he has a lot of strong runners in his age group. Finn came second last year, much to his surprise (but not mine!) and this year we did a bit of training. It certainy paid off for both of them. Riley’s training was interrupted by his broken arm but he managed a few runs in the 2 weeks before the race.
Finn will now compete with kids from other schools in the area in a race in May. If he places, he’ll then be in the Peninsula squad. He’s busting to get into a Peninsula squad so he can get one of their shirts. With that kind of motivation he might just do it!
I’ve also added a couple more photos of Harvey that missed the last posting.
Boats and breaks
My hard drive on my computer crashed and it’s taken me a while to get myself organised on the photo front. I didn’t lose too many photos but I’m now working from Riley’s old laptop…and I think is probably older than him.
The photos here are of Terry’s new boat and the boys skiing behind it on the day we picked it up. They enjoyed the extra speed and are looking forward to the first reef trip…no doubt the first of many. This was all before Riley fell down the stairs at school and broke his arm. He ended up in hospital in Cairns for the night. They took him in for surgery but were able to manipulate it back into place where it thankfully stayed, so no pins or wires were needed. He’s back to the specialist tomorrow and we’re all hoping the cast is coming off…it’s been a long 5 weeks for everyone.
I’ve also added a few photos of Finn on Lake Eacham. We paddle once a week before school. Riley hasn’t been able to come out because of the cast so it’s just been Finn and I for the last few weeks. We’ve also been training for the cross-country in the mornings…but more about that soon!
Our big boy turns 11!
Riley turned 11 on the 19th January. We celebrated over a couple of days — going to the movies, go karting and having lunch with a cupcake pile for a cake. Riley said the icing looked like dog poo and we decided they were from a blue heeler.
Christmas at the farm
We spent a few days between Christmas and New Year on the farm with Mum and Leah. The weather was gorgeous and Santa (on his second stop for the boys) bought them a blow up boat. Mum’s had the dam fixed and every afternoon, by the shade of the one remaining tree, and with beves and snacks, we sat while the kids (and dogs) swam and played for a few hours in the water. Very civilised. Terry also gave the kids a shooting lesson, which they absolutely loved. The plan was to let the experience the power and strength of a firearm but it kinda went over their heads. Mum’s gun is very friendly. Also a couple of shots of Mum’s fantastic gecko collection. The herpetologist at my work is sooooo jealous.
Christmas 2012
A couple of photos of Christmas morning in our house and with the cousins, and cousin’s cousins in Innisfail! We spent Christmas night in Rydges Townsville and Terry organised some treats on our arrival. Champagne for the big kids and well-dressed strawberries for the little kids.
Kids, flowers and critters
This is a random collection of stuff from the last few months. Riley’s orchid has flowered very well this year. Mum, Paul, Nan and Pa gave it to him when he was born and it has flowered most years since, always around his birthday. Finn has one too. There’s other flower pictures, some interesting insects, and then a couple of photos from Riley and Finn’s concert at school. Riley had a lead role in his class’ performance and Finn was in a play and also played a ukulele. There’s also a shot of the champion male beginner golfer for 2012…and some photos of one of our chooks being eaten by a small amethystine python. Our friends locked the snake ‘in’ with the chickens one night, without realising. It’s a shame it didn’t eat the old chook that doesn’t lay eggs any more.
Goldfield Trail – our first overnight walk
So this is going back a few months…I’m trying to drag up those memory cells!
We’d been working towards overnight walks for a while. Christmas and birthday presents and money had gone towards getting equipment (thanks to everyone) and eventually, with a bit of equipment loaned from friends, we were ready. We were pushing our luck, walking so late in the year as the wet season was imminent, but we spent all the “good” months tripping around overseas. Terry studied the weather and we decided it was worth the risk…and off we went onto the Goldfield Trail.
It was fantastic. The kids loved it and we loved it. We have the longest list of walks we need to do now…and that’s just in our immediate area.
It was only 8km walk on the first day and, although we started late, we were at the camp site by lunch time. The “official” camp site was pretty ordinary, so we waded across the river with our packs over our heads and found the most beautiful and seculded site. It was quite lucky actually because, a few hours after we arrived, a big group of teenagers turned up and took over the official camp site. After we set up camp, we did a bit of exploring and the boys had a go at the rope swing. Terry and I eyed off the bottle of green ginger wine that I had snuck into my pack…knowing it wouldn’t last long after the seal was cracked.
It rained a few drops during the night, but nothing to really bother us. By the time we got up to shut the tents and drag our stuff under cover, it had stopped.
Next day it was 11km for the boys…but I left my camera at one of the stops and had to go back to get it. It was an extra 2km in the steepest section of the walk for me. That’ll learn me.
We couldn’t have done this walk if Pat and Graham hadn’t picked up our car from one end and dropped at the other. Thanks so much.
The land of Finns
An option on our return journey was a stop in Helsinki and, with a son named Finn, who could say no to the chance to see a country full of them? Helsinki was freezing and it poured rain but our accommodation was toasty and there were markets close by. We did a (warm and dry) bus trip around the city and learned about the Russian influence on the city’s architecture. Basically all the boring buildings that look like government offices were designed by the Russians. All the cool stuff with elaborate shapes, materials and decorations were designed by the Finns. We also went to the Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church) that was pretty cool. Riley was taken by the copper domed roof that is made of a 22km coil of copper…according to Riley, none of us can remember the exact length. I’d be keen to go back and spend a bit more time in Finland, especially in the Lapland region.
I’ve also included a rather risquè photo of Finn taken in a Nepalese restaurant. We were there for 20 minutes before we noticed the interesting interior design.
Life and Times of the Vallance Family 