Happy 50th Birthday Gordon

Gordon celebrates his 50th birthday with a party in the house with all our neighbours. He is now officially 'Older than Dirt'.

Here are some of our neighbours and friends enjoying the night. Believe it or not there were also 18 kids - all under 14 - thank goodness for the pool!!!!!.

We've been 'Iked'

This was taken at the tail end of the storm and is nothing compared to what it was through the night. We consider ourselves very lucky in that we did not have any major damage to the house. The inconvenience of no power for 5 days is nothing compared to the suffering of those hit worse than us. We now have power, food,water, petrol and refrigeration others don't and face up to another month at least before they get all their services back. We are safe and well and we thank you all for your concern over the past week.

Debris around the house and in the street.

This tree fell between the two houses at the bottom of the street. Luckily only the fences got smashed and the tree missed the second house and landed in their pool.







This one was at the top of the street totally blocking the road.











The Fire Brigade promptly came out on Sunday and cleared the road.




This one was first thing Saturday morning when we opened the front door.






The front garden looking rather sorry for itself.







This was the only damage we had. The fence that shelters the pool heater got kinda bent.

Surveying the damage

On Sunday the day after Ike we took our 'usual' walk, the one we take Brogan on everyday. Here is what we found.


Blocked path this way





Blocked path that way









Oh yes, another blocked path.






Coming back into the neighbourhood trees are down in most gardens.





Not too bad here, just a lot of water

and finally no way through this path!!!

Lakeside Park

Here is the path at Lakeside Park that leads to the reservoir. As you can see, as you go along it suddenly becomes impossible to see the path. We think it may have been hit by a Tornado. The park is only a 10 minute walk from the house.

Yes, if you look closely (double click on the picture to enlarge)you can see the play equipment underneath the trees.

J & S surveying the damage.

If I knew you were coming I would have baked a cake!!!!

Sarah and friends Jill & Kirhyn decided to bake a cake!!!!




First of all the 'mixing' add a splash of colour and
hey presto a purple surprise













Pop it into the oven and a
lovely heart appears

Decorate with green icing and add a little fudge

and there it is a perfect cake!!!!

Back to School

All set and ready to go. School started 25th August

Sarah is now in 6th Grade (Primary 7).