2009 - Start of a new Year

2009 – A new year living in Paradise.

We finally got the inflatable up and after New Year it was launched for a run to the fish market and out to a coral cay offshore. After a run around Mulinou Point we came back to see a rather large storm cell descending on us. So it was a scramble to beat the rain and wind as we stuffed it into the tray of the ute. It now resides on a pulley system in the rafters under the house.

I caught my first taxi (Why run in rain when you can cheat!! ) at Hash last Monday as I found myself a lonesome dove jogging in rain squalls a long way from the keg. The leaders finally got back after visiting the Royal Samoan Golf Course some great distance from the keg. (What had not been explained to us, was that there was no return run as a truck had been dispatched to pick us up, the few who made it to the truck were so cold waiting that they elected to run all the way back). There was lots of fine food and the numbers doubled after the run had started (who likes running in puddles and rain squalls).
The run was at a house reminiscent of a “canal residence” with wide covered verandahs behind an island with stunning views of the reef and the island. The keg was gone and floating by 8.00 and I was offered a lift home after only one down down for supposed-oddly chatting up a “mare”.

It has been a “torrid” social week for me, last Friday I met a new arrival in town for lunch a walk around town and quick shop. Saturday was a Dinner Party with expat friends from the Sunshine Coast followed by a Dance Party with Hash people. Of the 20 odd dancers there were 8 nationalities, a mini UN. Tuesday was Ladies Morning Tea and another drive around and a shopping expedition for some new arrivals.
Wednesday I launched the inflatable early and took two boys trolling along the coast inside the reef on a full tide. They enjoyed their experience manning the O/B tiller as I monitored the lures. We stopped at a coral cay for morning tea and left with a gecko to add to one of the boy’s captive breeding program at home.

Thursday was Art Group and we had one extra and had a great time. I finished my beach scene of Lalomanu Beach and sealed some small scenes from a popular children’s picture book to give to grandchildren and friends. At afternoon tea “we” (F actually got home for a few minutes) gave the painting and a copy of the book to “S” who is two and her dad had to read it four times that evening before bedtime. A tribute to children’s love of repetition of a good story.
Friday was a ladies farewell lunch at Paddles and I was not the only male but only one of three. I was also able to get a disc of the Christmas Hash and you can check out some pics of my naming ceremony. Friday night we invited some local friends for our first BBQ on the deck. It was an easy social evening as we chatted as the marinated steaks bubbled away on the BBQ. We cheated a bit as the tropical salad was from Giordano’s Pizzeria. An excellent end to a hectic week.

We are packing for a short sojourn to Brisbane and I am having a week in Perth with the grandkids. No post next week.

All our best
R&F

Pics from the Christmas Hash – Non-regulation Elf headgear (Cost of one Down Down) – Let the Naming begin – Egg, beer and flour – The Vodka concoction – Clean up next to the fire engine – post clean-up – Mr Whippy back-chats the GM - Confused AC/DC, beer:vodka;champagne –The Maestro looks on. - My second painting effort (Lalomanu Beach, alias the Gold Coast) - Pipe repairs Samoan style - Group at waterfall - D,H,R&F,I.