I've been very happy at the job I started early this year. They've been happy too after having difficulty finding the right staff. It was difficult today to have to tell them I'll be leaving in a few months! I didn't resign but I did tell them we had our tickets booked and we'll be going. They were disappointed but supportive. Lovely people.
My one day a week in Melbourne is something we're planning with that employer that I'll continue with. We're sorting out a method at the moment.
Every dollar of income we can earn while we're away will preserve our funds to stay longer if we want.
We are two Australians who lived the dream and spent 20 months as liveaboards on narrowboat Parisien Star. Life before.... during.... and after.
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Walking on sunshine
Some days just feel good from start to finish and yesterday was one of those.
The day before, on my day off, I did the social rounds. I drove to Healesville to visit my sister in law and little nephew, Declan. He's such a happy little chap. There's a new baby on the way (a girl this time) so that's something else to look forward to before we go away.
Next was coffee with Vic, my old school friend. It was a boisterous hour of 3 excited kids and a dose of puppy love from Fee the guide dog puppy. Fee is proving to be a star performer at just 4 months old. She's great on a lead, does all the right things with ignoring food, other dogs etc and the toilet training has been a breeze. A happy family.
Finally dinner with a friend I used to work with long ago. Cathy's always good for a pep talk and dose of positive thinking. It was relaxing after a couple of hours of Declan's showing off, and the after school noise at Vic's.
So.... I started yesterday on a positive note. My Tuesday employer is happy for us making such exciting plans. Of course she'd rather I stay and keep working in the office but it's nice that she's being supportive and wants to work towards setting up for me to do this work from our narrowboat.
I finished a little earlier and set off for the 1 1/2 hr trip home well ahead of the peak traffic time. I've always loved the feeling of driving home from Melbourne. I work right on the edge of the city so there's a lot of traffic in the area. Once I'm on the freeway just down from the office there is no traffic lights for the rest of the trip. Slowly the cars turn off the highway and there is less and less on the road. It's a nice wind down as I head further from the city. Yesterday was a lovely sunny Autumn day and driving home was a pleasure with the sun filtering through the gums, Garth Brooks on CD, and a positive frame of mind.
The day was even topped off by a Facebook "chat" with Diane from nb Ferndale. I got to ask some of our endless questions and she even kindly added to my "to do list".
A great day all round!
The day before, on my day off, I did the social rounds. I drove to Healesville to visit my sister in law and little nephew, Declan. He's such a happy little chap. There's a new baby on the way (a girl this time) so that's something else to look forward to before we go away.
Next was coffee with Vic, my old school friend. It was a boisterous hour of 3 excited kids and a dose of puppy love from Fee the guide dog puppy. Fee is proving to be a star performer at just 4 months old. She's great on a lead, does all the right things with ignoring food, other dogs etc and the toilet training has been a breeze. A happy family.
Finally dinner with a friend I used to work with long ago. Cathy's always good for a pep talk and dose of positive thinking. It was relaxing after a couple of hours of Declan's showing off, and the after school noise at Vic's.
So.... I started yesterday on a positive note. My Tuesday employer is happy for us making such exciting plans. Of course she'd rather I stay and keep working in the office but it's nice that she's being supportive and wants to work towards setting up for me to do this work from our narrowboat.
I finished a little earlier and set off for the 1 1/2 hr trip home well ahead of the peak traffic time. I've always loved the feeling of driving home from Melbourne. I work right on the edge of the city so there's a lot of traffic in the area. Once I'm on the freeway just down from the office there is no traffic lights for the rest of the trip. Slowly the cars turn off the highway and there is less and less on the road. It's a nice wind down as I head further from the city. Yesterday was a lovely sunny Autumn day and driving home was a pleasure with the sun filtering through the gums, Garth Brooks on CD, and a positive frame of mind.
The day was even topped off by a Facebook "chat" with Diane from nb Ferndale. I got to ask some of our endless questions and she even kindly added to my "to do list".
A great day all round!
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Recipe - Roast Vegetable Salad
My version
of Recipe from 4 Week Energy Diet (ABC Books 2012)
Ingredients
1 beetroot
2 carrots, scrubbed
1 red capsicum
8 cloves garlic, unpeeled
1 tablespoons pine nuts
2 cups baby spinach leaves and/or rocket
1 spring onion, finely chopped
1 cup cooked chickpeas (or cannellini beans)
1⁄4 cup chopped curly parsley
1 teaspoon finely shredded mint
1 red capsicum
8 cloves garlic, unpeeled
1 tablespoons pine nuts
2 cups baby spinach leaves and/or rocket
1 spring onion, finely chopped
1 cup cooked chickpeas (or cannellini beans)
1⁄4 cup chopped curly parsley
1 teaspoon finely shredded mint
Dressing : 4 tbsps
balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp virgin olive oil, 1⁄2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Method
• Preheat oven to
180°C
• Line a baking tray with baking paper.
• Cut the leaves from the beetroot, leaving around 2–3cm of stem attached. Wrap the beetroot in baking paper and tie with kitchen string (to prevent the juice leaking out).
• Place the beetroot, carrots and capsicum on the baking tray and roast for 20 minutes. Turn and roast for a further 10 minutes.
• Place the garlic in the oven with the vegetables and roast for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the garlic is soft and caramelised. In total, it should take 35–45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, to make the dressing, combine the vinegar, oil and mustard in a glass jar, screw on the lid and shake vigorously. Set aside.
• Transfer the roasted vegetables to a plate and cool slightly.
• Place the pine nuts on the baking tray and lightly toast in the oven for 2–3 minutes.
• Using a knife, peel the beetroot and carrots and remove the outer skin from the capsicum. Chop the vegetables into chunks.
• Place the spinach, spring onion, pine nuts, chickpeas or cannellini beans, parsley and mint in a large bowl and add the chopped vegetables. Pour over the dressing and toss to combine.
• Line a baking tray with baking paper.
• Cut the leaves from the beetroot, leaving around 2–3cm of stem attached. Wrap the beetroot in baking paper and tie with kitchen string (to prevent the juice leaking out).
• Place the beetroot, carrots and capsicum on the baking tray and roast for 20 minutes. Turn and roast for a further 10 minutes.
• Place the garlic in the oven with the vegetables and roast for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the garlic is soft and caramelised. In total, it should take 35–45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, to make the dressing, combine the vinegar, oil and mustard in a glass jar, screw on the lid and shake vigorously. Set aside.
• Transfer the roasted vegetables to a plate and cool slightly.
• Place the pine nuts on the baking tray and lightly toast in the oven for 2–3 minutes.
• Using a knife, peel the beetroot and carrots and remove the outer skin from the capsicum. Chop the vegetables into chunks.
• Place the spinach, spring onion, pine nuts, chickpeas or cannellini beans, parsley and mint in a large bowl and add the chopped vegetables. Pour over the dressing and toss to combine.
• Serve immediately.
Monday, 7 May 2012
Pick of the week - Imagine
This one would put pressure on the budget but we really like it. Great Haywood have it listed : nb Imagine
I see someone else really liked it too because it's sold.
It has lovely timber work and with one owner since new it's been blacked regularly. We love the paint job, the name, we like having the wood burner in the centre of the saloon rather than a corner, the radiator covers, side hatch over the cooker, and especially the side hatch in the cabin, it looks like a great little bathroom and I love the galley tiles. The only thing negative is that there's no inverter so there'll be money to spent on that.
HOT WATER AND HEATING SYSTEM
ENGINE SPECIFICATION AND COMPONENTS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS
BATHROOM SPECIFICATION
BERTHS - 4
KITCHEN SPECIFICATION
VESSEL HISTORY
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Front cratch cover, spray foam insulation, solid oak flooring with tiles in bathroom and galley, 2 side hatches, one owner from new.
I see someone else really liked it too because it's sold.
It has lovely timber work and with one owner since new it's been blacked regularly. We love the paint job, the name, we like having the wood burner in the centre of the saloon rather than a corner, the radiator covers, side hatch over the cooker, and especially the side hatch in the cabin, it looks like a great little bathroom and I love the galley tiles. The only thing negative is that there's no inverter so there'll be money to spent on that.
Length : 60ft
Stern : Trad
Built by : Barry Hawkins
Year : 2004
Price : £59,950.00
Construction : 10/6/4 Steel,Flat
hull
HOT WATER AND HEATING SYSTEM
Source of Hot Water: Calorifier/ Eberspacher/Immersion heater
Central Heating: Eberspacher
Solid fuel stove: Yes
Water tank capacity: 100 gallon approximately
Additional Systems:
Stainless steel
water tank
ENGINE SPECIFICATION AND COMPONENTS
Engine make: Beta 43hp
No of cylinders: 4
Keel, water, air cooled: Keel
Gear box make: PRM
Bow Thruster: Tube fitted
Diesel tank capacity: 60 gallon approximately
Additional Notes: Twin alternators
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS
12 Volt: Yes
240V landline: Yes
Inverter: n/a
Generator: n/a
Batteries: 1 starter, 3 leisure
Media: TV & CD player
BATHROOM SPECIFICATION
Type of toilet: Pump out
Bath/Shower fitted: Shower
Vanity Basin: Yes
Additional systems:
Walk through
bathroom
BERTHS - 4
Fixed Berths: Fixed double at the stern
Extra berths: Dinette converts into a double
KITCHEN SPECIFICATION
Cooker: Vanette eye level cooker with separate
hob
Fridge: Yes
Gas, 12 Volt or 240 volt: 12v
Additional systems: Zanussi washing machine, side hatch,
houdini hatch.
VESSEL HISTORY
BSS: 2012
Maintenance: Blacked every 2 years since new
Recent Survey: n/a
Mooring Available: Yes
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Front cratch cover, spray foam insulation, solid oak flooring with tiles in bathroom and galley, 2 side hatches, one owner from new.
Sunday, 6 May 2012
The first weekend
It's been a huge weekend of passing cars tooting their horns in acknowledgement of our "Sold" sign, neighbours calling in unexpectedly to offer congratulations (and ending up staying for dinner), and us just trying to get our heads around the huge task ahead.
2 weeks to have the house up the road ready for the tenants.
5 weeks to have all our stuff packed up and moved out.
20 weeks to be ready to get on that plane.
It's all rather daunting really. Telling people we've booked a one way ticket to the UK seems to be getting the appropriate response. Mostly stunned silence! We have been very selective with who we have told of our plans over the last couple of years. We still had to continue working and living in a relative small community and decided to avoid the gossip and only share our plans with close friends. So now... the locals know the tenants that are moving into the other house, and are asking where we are going to live! This week will bring a flurry of gossip around town I'm sure.
Meanwhile, I've started on the boxes again.
2 weeks to have the house up the road ready for the tenants.
5 weeks to have all our stuff packed up and moved out.
20 weeks to be ready to get on that plane.
It's all rather daunting really. Telling people we've booked a one way ticket to the UK seems to be getting the appropriate response. Mostly stunned silence! We have been very selective with who we have told of our plans over the last couple of years. We still had to continue working and living in a relative small community and decided to avoid the gossip and only share our plans with close friends. So now... the locals know the tenants that are moving into the other house, and are asking where we are going to live! This week will bring a flurry of gossip around town I'm sure.
Meanwhile, I've started on the boxes again.
One way tickets
The last month or so we had a surge of people looking at the house. I've been watching the flights available for September on frequent flyers with trepidation. Every day there was less and less of them available. I had enough points for two one-way fares and really wanted to save the money and use the points. This last week the available flights were dropping off like flies and last night when we looked there was only 2 days in September that we could get the usual 2 leg flight to London. There were a few other dates available but all via somewhere else first making the trip well over 24 hours. We looked at each other and said "just do it!". We booked our flights for Tuesday 18th September. Wooohoooo!!!!
Saturday, 5 May 2012
All systems go
Well, it's over... we did it... the house is sold. It's been a long time in the making! It's like a huge weight lifted off our shoulders and now we can throw ourselves into making our dream a reality.
We have a rather short settlement with less than 6 weeks now. There is a lot to do in that time but it will keep us busy and focused. There's very little left to do up the road before the tenants move in. Mick's fixed up the fences, I have to hem all the curtains we bought and the heater/air conditioner has to be installed.
The next focus will be our temporary living arrangements. Mick will set up a shower and we have to buy a caravan. He also wants to paint and set up our living room in one of the offices but that doesn't have to be finished before we move there.
And finally the packing. Again. I've already packed so many boxes but that was a year ago and now it will start all over. How did we accumulate so much stuff? I'm starting this weekend!
There will be some negotiating with the new owner of our house - they want to buy some of the things we have on display in the yard and also some items in the house. We're happy to do that as it will be less for us to move. In fact when we were discussing this with the real estate agent late yesterday she said as she walked out the door "Would you sell me your kitchen dresser?".
We have a rather short settlement with less than 6 weeks now. There is a lot to do in that time but it will keep us busy and focused. There's very little left to do up the road before the tenants move in. Mick's fixed up the fences, I have to hem all the curtains we bought and the heater/air conditioner has to be installed.
The next focus will be our temporary living arrangements. Mick will set up a shower and we have to buy a caravan. He also wants to paint and set up our living room in one of the offices but that doesn't have to be finished before we move there.
And finally the packing. Again. I've already packed so many boxes but that was a year ago and now it will start all over. How did we accumulate so much stuff? I'm starting this weekend!
There will be some negotiating with the new owner of our house - they want to buy some of the things we have on display in the yard and also some items in the house. We're happy to do that as it will be less for us to move. In fact when we were discussing this with the real estate agent late yesterday she said as she walked out the door "Would you sell me your kitchen dresser?".
Lavender
I've always had a fondness for lavender and we're lucky to live not too far from a fantastic lavender farm called Lavandula. It's a wonderful place to visit on a nice day - to wander the gardens, have some lunch and browse their little shop.
http://www.lavandula.com.au/
Tonight we watched a tv show called Bill's Tasty Weekends. It has Bill Granger touring around England and showing some amazing places to visit. Tonight he was in Norfolk and went to a lavender farm. I wanted to remember this place so we could visit it one day. The website says they have 100 acres under cultivation. I'll look forward to it. We will have to look out for other lavender farms along the way. Does anybody know of any worth a visit?
http://www.norfolk-lavender.co.uk/
http://www.lavandula.com.au/
Tonight we watched a tv show called Bill's Tasty Weekends. It has Bill Granger touring around England and showing some amazing places to visit. Tonight he was in Norfolk and went to a lavender farm. I wanted to remember this place so we could visit it one day. The website says they have 100 acres under cultivation. I'll look forward to it. We will have to look out for other lavender farms along the way. Does anybody know of any worth a visit?
http://www.norfolk-lavender.co.uk/
Friday, 4 May 2012
SOLD ! ! !
Wooohooo.... yippeeeeee... hoooooray.........
The deposit is in the bank and the contract is signed.
No cooling off period so there's no going back!
The deposit is in the bank and the contract is signed.
No cooling off period so there's no going back!
Thursday, 3 May 2012
House rented out - tick!
We're very happy to have ticked off another big item from our "to do" list. Today we have a confirmed tenant for the house up the road.
The carpet went in on Friday, the shower screen today, the septic tank's been pumped out and next week the split system heater/air conditioner will be installed. Mick's got the fencing to finish off and it will all be done. The tenants will move in the last week of May. Perfect!
As for our house... tomorrow's the day we'll be sure. It feels like the stars are aligning.....
The carpet went in on Friday, the shower screen today, the septic tank's been pumped out and next week the split system heater/air conditioner will be installed. Mick's got the fencing to finish off and it will all be done. The tenants will move in the last week of May. Perfect!
As for our house... tomorrow's the day we'll be sure. It feels like the stars are aligning.....
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