June 2024 

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June started with a move around South Australia from Clare, to the Adelaide Hills, then Victor Harbor and the McLaren Vale wine region (both on the Fleurieu Peninsula) to look for potential home relocations. From Adelaide the team flew to England and in early July to France. 2nd June - After leaving the Adelaide hills, Paulie and Stephen visited the Martlock Chamber of the State Library of South Australia Light reading done, they visited pals in Leebrook The guys spend the night with pals David and Jane. They housesat their home and dog after a stint in Victor Harbor when David and Jane went trekking in Canada.
4th - Paulie and Stephen headed to Victor Harbor and camp outside of Greg and Rosie Egan's holiday pad. They stuck by their guns and turned down an offer of staying in the main house and instead sleep & cook in the van. Let's call it hybrid camping or "glamping" Greg and Rosie were heading down from Adelaide so lunch was prepared. They all met up again in Guildford in July. A walk out to Granite Island where the guys watch a dolphin play (see "AthoCinema")
. The guys used the cottage next to the main house for watching stuff, knitting, bathroom, and laundry. But they returned to the van to sleep and cook .
5th - The van also took them to explore potential future bases. They checked out Port Willunga, once a busy wheat export port starting in the 1850s The remains of the jetty that was used to send wheat back to the Mother Country The hand-made caves were used to store fishing lines and nets .
The McLaren Vale wine region is on the penninsular and some vineyards required the duo's attention . . Back at Rosie & Greg's Victor Harbor pad, some chores needed attention
And daily tasks were carried out . . .
The lovely beach was a 1 minute walk from the house. 7th - out to explore some more. Strathalbyn and Willunga were two places to explore. Like Clare up north, Strathalbyn was struck off the relocation short list for various reasons. Willunga, near McLaren Vale, was appealing. 9th - Back in Victor Harbor the guys went on a walk. Olivia visited with friend Andy. But first, more chores. .
The tourist train passed the house regularly. The Adelaide guys arrived. . A busy day and various tourist opportunities brought in other visitors from the city .
. 10th - Paulie and Stephen circumnavigate Granite Island. . .
Wind worn granite takes various forms. A bull? 13th - time to head back to Adelaide to care for David and Jane's place, but not before a last look at McLaren Vale . A lunch at "Red Poles"
14th -A few nights at a motel. They stopped in at the Adelaide covered market . And in the evening after her work, Olivia met the guys at Henley Beach for a walk .
. . 15th - whilst Olivia had lunch with pals at Eden Hills (the Adelaide foothills), the guys had a picnic at Wittunga Botanic Gadens and met some locals
In closeby Blackwood, Paulie discovered a sewing shop. But then it was time to housesit in Leebrook for David and Jane. And importantly Micky. Olivia was ready for her winter reading list The van was no longer needed as Paulie & Stephen had a house to mind, so it was time to clean and return it. David and Jane generously offered one of their vehicles whilst the guys were in residence.
. Time to start walking Micky and do some house chores Checking on the lovely man made creek.
Daily housecall on the chickens Magically eggs appear each day Old Dog grooming And a walk for geriatric canine, Micky
Who loved a smell... .. which was worth rolling in 23rd- The guys made a 30 minute trip up to the Adelaide Hills to visit a new vineyard to them - "Between the Vines". .
They even had distractions for Stephen 24th - boarding a flight to the UK, the duo arrived on the 25th at Heathrow And made their way to Oxford to stay with Keno and James. Keno was in the Canary Islands for work Memory lane - looking at Jame's copy of the book of Paulie & Stephen's elopement in Scotland that day in 2009
. Worth toasting to with alcohol free "Nosecco". 25th - breakfast time 27th - time to head to the River Cherwell to punt.
. . Time for the official handing of the pole to... ...the new Punt Master
. A quick stop at the Victoria Arms . And back they went
with company . 28th - a walk to Iffley Village .
29th - someone enjoyed a morning balloon ride over Thames Valley. We enjoyed watching them. Paulie and Stephen bused into town A picnic was followed by some downtime in University Parks .
Heading back to South Park Rd to the Pitt River Museum One has to pass through the Oxford University Museum of Natural History where Paulie met up with her pal who she catches up with each time we are in town Time to make dinner And to do some chores. The lads reseal the bath
and receive some furniture James bidded for in an auction - a late 17th /early 18th century coffer 30th - And although the delivery guys couldn't get it up to the second level because of the narrow stairs (and damaged a wall trying), the next day James and Stephen removed doors & shelves and were directed upstairs by supervisor Paulie Lovely. And no more clothes on the floor! Keno returned that morning at 4:00am
Stephen wasn't sure what strange creature was in the guest bedroom when wondering in. It was just an example of the a yoga yogi species. Given James moved some clothes, the lads spotted stuff that was originally Stephen's. This Moroccan shirt was given to Stephen when he was 16 by his mother's (and later his) pal Kaida. And this Ghanaian shirt was worn back in 1978 Both shirts looked much better on the younger model. It was time for Stephen and Paulie to tidy up and pack - on July 4th they headed to their pad in France.