August - Melbourne Pettys

Holiday at Torquay, the Christchurch Pettys arrive, Carmen sees Annie and goes on a school camp, we make a room in the garage and Ellen holidays in Queensland.   

The kids - Torquay 1st August

On the first day of the month we all headed down to Janet’s house in Torquay for a bit of a holiday. After we got there we all went for a walk down to the beach, then Vern cooked us a lovely dinner and we watched some of the Olympics.

The next day we headed over to Pt Lonsdale and checked out the lighthouse then onto Queenscliff for a quick look around and lunch since Carmen wanted to play some tennis before her and Ellen had to head back to Melbourne for Carmen’s production and Ellen had to teach mission prep class.

Lorne foreshore

Friday after Ellen and Carmen came back we headed down to Lorne. We were going top to some mini golf but that was closed to I took them up to Teddy’s lookout and got them to walk down to the St George river from there. We had a picnic lunch and Austin and I went for a walk to the point. Nan, Ellen and I then walked back to Lorne via the tramway track then we headed back to Torquay while the others drove back and waited for us at the pier.

Carmen in the Production

Saturday the fourth we played tennis then cleaned up the house and headed home. That evening we all went to Carmen’s production of Captain Stirrick. She sang beautifully and like always the school put on a great production. The students acted and sang well with the material they had however that play wasn’t a good choice.

Sunday the fifth Austin and I went home teaching a man called Shane that we haven’t visited before. He told just that that he hadn’t prayed for ages but that morning he prayed for direction and then we turned up. That evening we had a Stake Fireside at Epping Dylan and the Whites spoke about their missions. They both did a good job.

It was back to work for me on Monday the sixth. Not something I was looking forward to but I am working with some nice people so that helps. Thursday we had the first night on the Stake Volleyball and we had a good turnout, I played for Fairfield mens and had a great time. We even had our Stake Patriarch playing for us. The next week when the women played Marion was in the team.  

Friday the tenth we had Dylan’s welcome home party at the house, or should I say in the garage. It was a cold wet night but it didn’t seem to stop anyone. Dylan had lots of his friends from school and church show up including the oldies, Tempany, Dudfield, Folau and Foster. The Christchurch Petty were also in town for a conference and made their way over by train which was pretty impressive. Jonathan played us a medley of Australian tunes which was very nice.

Werribee

The next morning I had booked a Rally Driving day out on a track near Werribee (Janet had bought me the voucher for my birthday). The boys came along to watch however they had to reschedule since the track was too wet. They had sent me a text however they had the wrong number so I didn’t get it. Anyway after seeing the cars and track I am even more excited now. On the way out I was slipping and sliding in the mud and managed to puncture one of my tires so we had to change that in the rain and mud, all part of the adventure.

Gwyneth's place

That evening we went over to Gwyneth’s place for a late lunch. The Christchurch Pettys, Janet and Glyn and Margaret Jones were all there. We had a great visit and lovely soup and roles. Nan went back to Kyneton with Margaret for the rest of her stay.  It has been nice having her around the house and I enjoyed the walks we had. I know the kids like her to stay since she always does the dishes. We dropped Carmen off in the City to watch the show ‘Annie’ at the Regent Theatre with Renee. They had good seats and loved it. Dylan had rented the Super Hero movies he missed while on his mission and they had a movie marathon.

Sunday the twelve Dylan and Vernice came down to our early morning Stake Council meeting and Dylan made is report. The Whites were also there and reported since they have just returned from PNG. I took the younger three with me to Eltham Ward since without the Kombi and everyone home we are having logistical issues. It was nice to have them come with me. The Christchurch Pettys came over for lunch and we had a nice visit before they headed back to Janet’s place.

Since Dylan and Calvin were still living out of their suitcases we decided to make up a room in the garage. They both helped moving the junk around to make a wall and clean, paint and plaster. We got an extra bed and mattress and it looks ok.

At the end of the month Ellen went up to Queensland for a bit of a holiday. Mum and the Christchurch Petty’s headed back to New Zealand and Jordan came down from Dubbo to visit and Dylan was called as a mission Prep class teacher with Ellen.