Andy Still has Sore Foot

Well another week at work goes by, my foot is slowly getting better and we think it may be Metatarsal injury but what exactly is not known. Anyway as many would say “Toughen up Princess”.
Finished my first course this week Microsoft Project which I have used for years but never been taught properly, now for my Diploma in Project Management. We have had a bit of rain but nothing serious yet.
I finally got around to adjusting the handbrake on the weekend which is not a nice job on an 80 series cruiser. Found out the rear pad for the brake shad seen better days so I decided to swap them over. Not a big job but it is funny how you lose interest in working on cars as you get older.

Melbourne Cup week

It’s November and that means Melbourne Cup, I try to embrace it but I just can’t get to like it. It’s wet in Melbourne and Darwin, and In fact it was the coldest November day on record in Darwin, a chilly 26˚, how we had to suffer.
Another Car repair this week new rear wheel bearings, nothing has happened but Jo told there was nothing wrong with them and that they had never been replaced. Oh no never? Anyway it is all good driving around Australia with water crossing beach drives and mud adventures but it really does wear out your car. Nothing has actually broken but I still want to ensure all this stuff is in good condition before we tackle WA. (When ever that may be)
Tina and I are famous now for changing our plans not quit weekly but we certainly move the goal posts a bit. Take our latest venture, we are trying to buy some land in North Queensland are flying to Cairns soon to look at some properties. ( I can’t have enough projects on  ) Stay poste for an update of how that goes.
I have been promising for quite some time now that I would post some photos of the Townhouse and gardens Tina and I made so here they are.

Halloween

Off to Dundee

Off to Dundee its has been so long since we have been out there. Got some new handlines and stuff with the BCF voucher Carol gave me for my birthday. I have been telling everyone all week that these are lucky handlines and we will catch heaps of fish. Saturday morning is beautiful so we load up and head down to the lodge.
Anyone who knows Brian is well aware there is no fishing trip without some drama and today was well one of those special days. Firstly when we get down launching the jockey wheel has fallen off. No big deal just have to lift the trailer onto the tractor. In the water and the steering is seized, we hover around the shore using an oar for steering while we try to fix it. It is seized well but some tools and gear oil finally get it working. We did point out there are grease nipples on the steering that could do with the occasional loving.
We head out to the first spot and we drop in the new handlines, bang we get instant hits but Tina gets in a beautiful Salmon. We are collecting some fish but lots of Sharks around as well.
We move on out to another spot where we are assured of catching some Snapper, but we leave after Jan lands some of the biggest Catfish I have ever seen.





Off to the next spot and we try some luring on the way with my new shiny lure. It doesn’t take long before we get a hit and I work hard to get him in, lost that one trying to tighten the drag. Bang and we are off again this one we get right alongside the boat before he got off. Some of them swim towards us faster than I can reel them in and they get off that way. Anyway didn’t get one onboard but got some really good practice trying.
We arrive at a new spot and its Snapper city I get 3 in about 5 minutes and I’m not alone. The rush only last 10 minutes but we get a few fish into the boat. Brian picks up a large Cod about time he has spent most of the day losing his hooks to sharks.
Ah back to the fishing dramas, Jan notices the petrol tank is floating which means 1 there is water in the back of the boat and 2 there isn’t much fuel left.
So we decide to head back Brian pulls the bung out so the water can drain. He tells us he isn’t worried about the fuel but we head straight for the shore and motor in along the coast (shorter distance to row to shore). We stop about 1.5km from Dundee and tip the dregs in from the other tank, about 3 litres so we are laughing.
On shore we fill the back of the boat with water again and we find the hole, Brian says a big rivet will fix it. We end up with a good catch on a beautiful day on the water and that lucky new gear worked a treat.

Hosptials, Movies & School

Off to the hospital for X-rays & Ultrasound but no luck no one can tell what it is. Must be tome for my best friend Google to find the answers.
Tina and I head off to the movies (yes believe it or not) to see “Tomorrow after the war began.” Tina and Jason read the entire series of 7 books. It was pretty good bit of a rush though with the Dominos stuffing up our order.
I have started some courses to try to get some qualifications in Project Management so have to get my brain tuned to learn stuff again.

What a Second AFL Grand final?

Well its October already, boy I love saying that and time flies. The AFL Grand Final is on again this weekend wow how cool two weeks in a row. But it is all bad with the Pies winning the flag.
Brian & Jan went to Bali and brought back some gifts, the kids visited Carol and Mel, Sam & James were there to. We finally finished the garden off this weekend (well the front one at least) we got a good down pour which will settle them all of nicely. We went to Ralphy’s for the Bathurst which although was one by Holden I do follow Lowndes so it was OK. We will be back in the groove now and will provide some more regular updates again. Although working really takes all the excitement out of Blogging.
I have developed a nasty foot injury and no one can work out what it is. They are suggesting a Stress Fracture but X-rays and Ultrasound have not revealed anything. Just rest at this stage. So its been pretty quiet for me go to work go home rest on the couch. We have been watching the Commonwealth games a bit, not much choice in Darwin 7 channels 3 with the games on. We got 2 new channels now 90 & 99 Gem & GO so more channels of nothing to chose form as well as a new channel 7 starting on the 24th.

September Working and oops forgot to Blog

Well it is September already and what a month this turns out to be Cricket finals, AFL finals, House finding and back at work.
Let’s start with the house finding, September is the best time in Darwin to go rental property hunting. A lot of transients start to leave now so there are plenty of places going. Just like buying a car though it is painfully annoying. Look on the Web the paper drive around to 20 different locations etc I'm sure you all get the drift. We miss out on one practically next door to Brian’s however after only 1 week we get a town house in Stuart Park just out of the city.
A nice 2 storey place in a block of 5 town houses. It has a gas stove which is a rarity in Darwin a nice back yard and undercover parking which is important. The Darwin sun is relentless and just destroys cars not to mention the wet season. The only drawback is the stairs are carpeted in cream. Hope they come up clean enough when we leave. So we move in the next Friday and Saturday morning it’s off to the Lawn Sales as we have no furniture. We borrow some stuff from Jan and with the aid of a trailer drive around in search of stuff. We go pretty well and end up with a nice dining table some kitchen stuff and a couple of cabinets. Wow it is really cool eating off of china and not plastic plates.
A cabinet I got from CSG makes a great entertainment unit and a lounge we got from Jan gets us going. Now as September is AFL finals month we are off to WOW to get a TV. We have been doing a fair bit of research into this and end up with a 32” LCD, It looks so big it is awesome. The antenna at the house is no good so we are off to get one, Installed and crystal clear no problems. As expected Carlton bombed out the first week although having many chances to win. The only real upset was St Kilda knocking off Geelong so now they are on the same side of the draw as Collingwood. A pies premiership looks on the cards this year but we can only hope the Collywoobles arrive soon.
The pies make it through and St Kilda as well. Rob comes up from Adelaide for the weekend to watch which is great cause I hadn’t seen him for a long time. Scrutts couldn’t make it due to work commitments. Its a great game with the Pies out early but St Kilda coming back strong and looking like they are going to run over the top of them but then it happens it’s a draw, and everyone needs to come back next week. Rob and I head out for a night on the town and Rob is pleased with the scenery. We wake up pretty sore and sorry and have a quiet day. Monday I have lunch with Rob and we head down the wharf for tea. It was only a short trip but really good to him again.
Well now on to cricket finals the NCC “D” made it through the year undefeated 16 wins. So that only leaves 2 matches the semi and grand final which we were victorious giving me my first ever Cricket premiership in 20 years of trying. 4 of our 5 teams made the grand final with the “A”s winning as well making it 3 from 3 they won the 20Twenty & One day cup as well. Unfortunately the “B’s & “C’s didn’t win. It was a big night of celebrations at the club.
Well that was one hell of busy month, the weather has been sticky a bit of rain around but all in all a nice month.
Got some more repairs done to the Tojo which sort of seams like it never ends but I like to keep it in tip top shape. We got a bed from Christhol which is really nice and some more CSG cabinets for bedside tables. We have made a garden which needs a bit of work but we are getting on to it.