Well here it is June and so much has happened. We have just been to Melbourne for 6 days and we had a marvelous time filled with so many adventures. I looked at the photos and realised that I hardly took any photos and only have one of Laura and Scott. Hopefully Sue will have some other photos of our time in Melbourne. We met Scott's lovely brother and his wife and their son. We saw where the wedding is going to be held up in the Yarra Valley which is a very beautiful place. We ooed and arrred over potential wedding dresses, saw two games of football at two wonderful venues, had a trip up and down the Yarra river, drove along the Mornington Penninsular and shopped till we dropped. Such a wonderful holiday and now we are  back at work. On our day trip we also went to Dromana where we visited Heronswood and the home of the Diggers club. see below, a beautiful old home. We had magnificent weather while we were in Melbourne, only a little overcast on our final day.

A few photos of some busy times. We visited Alissa and Hammos on Friday night. Had a great time, great food, company and the guitar came out so great music.

   

 Henry came with us and had a good time Alissa's brother Todd was there (he plays guitar well too)

          

Off to the Footy and saw the best team in the world play and win!!!!! (See how close our new seats are Laura!)

Elliot is 21 this week...hard to believe really. So the next photos will be of the birthday party.

 

Our prime minister Kevin Rudd is a true statesman  and he deserves our full support not like the weazle opposition leader who had to go on to qualify the apology and make a goose of himself.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology motion has been tabled in Parliament:

Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our nation’s history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.

For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.

We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.

A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.

A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.

A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.

A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.

A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.

Well some friends have gone away and we are looking after their farm stay and cafe which is their home as well as their business. There are 7 chalets , a vineyard and a large restaurant  which is being used as a cafe on weekends. (We wont be holding any weddings while they are away...thank goodness) Wow they work hard and so are we. It is a lovely spot, such beautiful scenery, I will post a photo of the view next time. Elliot is living there and doing the bulk of the work, especially in the cafe but he has co-opted all his family to help: bed making, cleaning, table clearing, toilet cleaning, coffee making and waiting on tables. We are all exhausted as this weekend was a long weekend so instead of open for 2 days  the cafe was open for 3. I always thought a cafe would be my sort of thing but after one week I am convinced it isnt!!! Food and some of the public!!!! Cant work out which is worse.At least the chef is pleasant and doesn't throw tantys.

Other News:
David had a birthday and all the family were together here is a pic.