January 2025

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The month starts with some new born wildlife. 4th - Stephen was out on a cycle and stopped off to meet Paulie for coffee At home the new kid on the block, Harry, wanted to chill with Stephen He has some growing to do - for perspective, this adult Water Dragon is standing on railway sleepers (image care of Chris Hosking, Australian Museum)
In Oxford, James & Keno are findingg that it is starting to get colder 7th - Paulie is ready to pedal care of sister Jan's bike. VIDEO- getting colder still in Oxford On the way to work at Oxfam...
8th - VIDEO- In sub-tropical Brisbane Paulie & Stephen don't get snow, but instead heat and heavy rain 10th - Olivia takes time out to watch tennis at the Adelaide Open in the dry heat. James attends Oxford's "Real Farming" conference 11th - Paulie finishes sewing floral scrubs for Olivia's work.
15th - on their bikes again and 10km into the ride the guys take a pitstop for coffee at the converted London bus. 17th - Paulie & Stephen accept Shari & Pete's invitation to spend a few nights at "The WIlderness" - their property near Woodford. There is work to do. Burning off some of the weeds and invasive species that Pete has removed over the months. When purchased in 2024, the property was overrun and had literally tons of rubbish including a number of caravans hidden under lantana.
In the lower section is a cool escape from the hard work. Being off the grid, candles and torches illuminated the two chefs and their workspaces. . Time to crawl under the mosquito net for the night.
Paulie and Stephen returned to the lower paddock that Pete has cleared. The old shack remains hidden on the ridge. Time to meditate .
And rest. Jumping in Pete's 4 X 4, the guys head into the National Park up a ridge-hugging path that few vehicles could endure. . Heading home, a nearby property is home to deer.
It's back to work on other piles of rubbish . Skillfully watched over by fire warden Turnbull. Shari arrived in the afternoon After working, the team headed back to the creek. Unfortunately loose sandals and rocky creek beds do not mix. Paulie fractured a rib (10th) :-(
But Paulie soldiered on A lovely evening and an early night after Chef Pete whipped up his South African stew "potjiekos". 20th - in Adelaide Olivia puts a shelf together. 21st - Pete and Shari came out of "The Wilderness" to the dry heat of Adelaide and joined Olivia for dinner. They were in town for a cycle event with friends that coincided with the international "Santos Tour Down Under".
22nd - Stephen and Paulie dropped in for a night at Noosaville at Jan and Jim's . Time to rest the rib (not yet diagnosed, but getting painful). .
Watching some of the Adelaide tennis 23rd - A coffee after a walk at Noosa. And that afternoon, back to Brisbane to catch up with pals Jacko and Anne-Louise .
. VIDEO - 25th - on one of Shari & Pete's mountain cycles around Adelaide they met a local. Stephen's cycle was more sedate than the 50 -100km sections Shari & Pete were on. He pedalled to Akim & Rebecca's for lunch. Paulie's rib was becoming an issue so she rested at home. That afternoon Paulie's South African/New Zealand pal from her London days dropped in for a night with his daughter Izzy.
26th - Stephen gave a tour of UQ. Whilst Olivia enjoyed an escape to the Riverland region on the Murray River during the long weekend Staying with her running group pal. 27th - more sewing. This time cushion covers using material Olivia purchased in the Pacific (see April 2024)
. 28th - scrubs received care of Australia Post. Time to continue chores as the duo are getting serious about selling the family home and making a change. Much better. Will be much improved by the end of next month. Yet to be done - painters will repair and paint the storm damaged ceiling and walls, roof cleaners will remove lichen and stains, a chap will sand and stain the front veranda, and the storm damaged carpet in the lounge will be replaced.