Week 41 The Passion Flower

Week 41 The Passion Flower

Walking

Bad week, too much bookkeeping! (End of 3rd Quarter)

Around The Farm

Haven't done much this week - mostly due to the bookkeeping. I've had to learn some new entries so that we can claim some of the GST back. This has changed since we have had the apartments. All too complicated for me (doubly so in Double Dutch) but all I have to do is present it in a form useable by the accountant.

With the warmer weather, the "passiebloem" (Passion Flower) has been thriving.

The Chook shed.....

has never looked so good. With Passion Flowers and new spouting. The roofing sheets were too long and I was quite happy to let the water just run off without spouting. But Janny's Dad kept asking me when was I "going to do the spouting?". It required more thinking about "how?" rather than the actual doing... and I finally came up with this solution..

Our Syrians have a new "home" or house, at least.

They'll probably be like me and always "Call Australia  Syria Home".

I did ask them about their house in Damascus - they said it was bigger than their new house but it was "damaged". I'm slowly getting little bits of information, but only if they want to talk about it - and still only with "hands and feet" talking.

To my mind, the house is fairly typical of a normal but old-style (Dutch) house. One of a row of houses with 3 bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. Living/dining room, kitchen, laundry and toilet downstairs. I remember now that one of the very first things we did at our place was to put an extra bathroom and toilet upstairs - but we had the room for it.

They have already knocked out a section of a wall from the hallway entrance into the living room - so that they can close the opening that goes directly from the kitchen. This is to prevent the cooking smells from going into the living/lounge room. The previous owner had done the reverse, and so they are only restoring it to it's original layout. I have to close up the opening on Sunday morning, so that it is ready for them to move in on Wednesday. A few of their "countrymen" knocked the wall out and did a pretty good job of it. They borrowed my tools and we all had a good laugh later on. I have to say that I felt really moved by how open and friendly they all were.

Back to Work

Janny and I had to work with some kids again - first time in quite a while. Saturday and our normal personnel had other things to do. So, I cooked my standard fare - lasagne - which the kids love, by the way!

Just 3 kids. one new girl who is 20 but sadly so much younger in capabilities. And our twins who have been with us for 6 or so years - they're getting older now - 15 in November - and I struggle to think what the future might hold. Tough on the parents, of course, but so gratifying to know we are helping in some way.

More on Ben

Another Boat Party......

Nice quiet place for studying..........

And finally, 

On Boating........