Rescue Required!

Another school holiday adventure! Ella, Katy, Mira and I booked into a session at Treetop Adventures at Majura. It's a relatively new high ropes course in central Canberra.

We rocked up, checked in and then were required to wait for our turn to be harnessed up and briefed. This course uses body harnesses rather than the usual waist harness as well as a slightly different clip in system so we payed attention to these new instructions.

Once let loose we tore around the two blue courses before embarking on the advanced red course. Happy to continue we all climb the tall ladder up the start of the black 'expert' course! The three girls were in front of me and fairly easily (or that is how it looked from my perspective) crossed the hanging obstacles.

Meanwhile I almost wobbled myself off the first zigzag single log crossing but managed to hang on. The next few were ok until I got the an obstacle that had you stand on rolling small logs. Here I fell! Unable to haul myself back up into a standing position due to the rolling logs, I scooted across on my bum before pulling up onto the platform. Phew surviving ...just!

Again the next few obstacles were fine but my upper body was starting to suffer as was the girls who were taking longer breaks on each platform! I really came unstuck though on the horse stirrup one as I had trouble getting my foot out of each stirrup! I fell and couldn't get back up. Help was summoned (how embarrassing!) Before he arrived though I'd managed to get myself across to and up onto the platform. However my arms were cactus and I decided it was time to bale from the course. I was detached from the line and lowered to the ground. A friend who I happened to bump into (and I held up with my rescue!)  told me that he didn't finish the black course the first time he did it either! That made me feel a little better! 

The girls meanwhile finished the course and all got ice cream while they waited for me. They all found the course to be physically challenging too but managed to finish just fine!

Filling the gaps

A visit to the nursery with Andy resulted in a few purchases - Flannel flower, pincushion hakea, banksia and a couple of limelight all for the front garden. Hoping to fill the gaps! Planting session required a bit of violet removal and reticulation repairs.

Happy New Year!

 Indi and I easing into 2025!

Hotel

Summer holiday tradition is to do an escape room. This year we went back to the Riddle Room in Mitchell to do the Hotel. Our team included Ella, Katy, Ryan, Mira and newbie Al!

The room was pretty fun and unlike all the previous riddle rooms we have done this one did not have a single key or combination lock in sight! The puzzles were mostly interactive requiring at least four people to participate. We required a few clues and managed to get out under an hour!

Post Christmas

Post Christmas, Bolt and Bekele came to stay while Cathy was off on a mountain bike adventure. 

Katy got sick with a virus which meant we had to postpone Mira's overnight birthday bsuhwalk.

We visited the shops to pick up some bargains. We all got new snow boots for Japan!

The garden received some attention. The struggling melaleuca out the front finally got removed. Various other trees were trimmed and the green bin was soon overflowing. The rest of the potatoes were harvested. A large quantity of rhubarb was stewed.

Indi got a new handmade bed to replace the one falling apart outside.

Ella and Andy went to the BBL #14 at Manuka to watch the Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars. The game was ok with the Thunder easily wining by 18 runs.

Christmas Day

Back home, our morning was quite busy getting ready for our guests - the Hogg family minus Maki and Luca who were with their Dad.

Ella was really under the pump - cooking last minute Christmas presents - a flourless chocolate cake; chocolate bark and gingerbread for various people. She went over for a quick visit and to drop off presents to Ryan (her boyfriend) who was celebrating Christmas at his mum's.

Then back home she decorated the table which has become her Christmas tradition. This year was a palate of silver and blue with eycalyptus leaves as the flora of choice. After picking some many leaves, she made a wreath for the front door.

Thankfully the family was late, which meant we were able to open a few Christmas presents. Katy received a digital camera while Ella opened the Instax (a polaroid typer mini printer). Both were very happy.

Once the family did arrive it was food, present opening, food prep, lots of chatting, lunch on the deck, a sneaky late arvo snooze (for some) and finished off with more food!  Funnily we took photos of the table decorations prior to everyone arriving but forgot to take one of the whole group...hopeless!

Xmas family Run

A first to go all out together...well sort of...Indi and I began earlier than Andy, Ella and Katy. We made it to the top of Mt Painter before them enjoying the gorgeous morning. After they arrived we all jogged together for about 500m before Ella and Andy peeled off to do a longer loop. Katy, Indi and I made our way home.