Monday, October 22, 2007

Tanunda



Saturday was spent relaxing, catching up on sleep and sipping coffee. The Tanunda Wurst Haus makes the best beinenstich. Yum! We ate way too much and all the wrong things - and that was after visiting the farmers' market where we just could not resist the pastries or the chocolates.

The diet definitely went downhill with a thud over the weekend.

Naimanya Cottage





The best time of day is the still of the early morning and what better way to spend it than watching the sun rise above the hills.
So close to civilisation and yet so far from the hustle and bustle of town life. Thanks Christa, Leon, Tom and Henri.

Naimanya Cottage






Our friends Christa and Leon kindly allowed us to stay in their B & B, situated between Eden Valley and Angaston over the weekend. Naimanya Cottage is quiet and highly recommended to anyone seeking peace, solitude and great country hospitality.

Hampel Reunion








166 years ago this Saturday, October 27th the first German settlers landed at Port Adelaide to start a new life in South Australia - with the help of George Fife Angas. Amongst them were our forefathers, the Hampels (Mum's maiden name).

On Sunday we attended the reunion of the Hampel family - over 400 descendants from all over Australia came together in Tanunda.

It was good to catch up with relatives and to meet new people.
From top:
My youngest sister Anne with me
Part of the huge group
Elyssa (Anne's youngest), Jessie, Me, and Anne
Lorna and Eileen (Mum's youngest sisters)
Kerran


Saturday, October 06, 2007

School Holidays

Unfortunately I contracted a nasty virus just as the school holidays were about to begin. The symptoms change daily, and have caused fatigue, loss of appetite and almost total lack of motivation for over a week! Rick says he had peace when I lost my voice, which is returning intermittently.
So, the jobs I had planned to complete during the holidays have barely had a look in, apart from the essentials.
This has been a rather ordinary year to say the least from a health point of view in our household.
Jessie had her first Infliximab infusion three weeks ago - so we hope to see the effects soon. The good news is that it is now on the PBS since October 1st, but our gastroenterologist worked tirelessly until Jessie could have it administered free of charge before that date. The drug itself costs $3000 for one dose!!!!!!! Let alone the hospital fees.
Rick continues to make good progress, is back at work full time and looks forward to retirement next year. He still has some side effects from the radio and hormone therapies, which continue to affect the body for some months. February is our next date to learn how effective it has all been.
Kerran is well and seems to have recovered from all his football injuries just in time to start cricket today.