Bike Ride Sunday 28 July 2013

Saturday was a nice day, but we were busy with other things to do. Ken had booked Evan to help him hang curtains, and I had to go pick up my glasses, so we arranged to go bike riding on Sunday, hoping the day would be just as nice as Saturday.

No plans as to where or when, but thought we'd ride to Rhodes for yum cha. Told Kaylene the night before, so she'd be up by 10am on Sunday.

Evan swung by just before 10am, when Kaylene was having her breakfast. I had already finished my bowl of porridge and egg.

Got the car loaded with our bikes and drove to Olympic Park, Powells Creek Reserve and parked there. Because we were early, the car park was quite empty.

Rode towards Rhodes and along the waterfront.  They have made a few changes since we last were there and now we could continue riding all the way around to the base of the railway bridge, probably could have kept going and ridden over the bridge, but had yum cha in mind, but it was still early, so decided we'd ride to Newinton Armoury and have lunch there. So rode through the wetlands to Wentworth Common, following the trail to Kronos Hill and came out at the water fountains at the end of the Stadiums, followed the trail to Newington until we got to the Armoury around 1pm. Then it was decision time, sit down expensive service meal or cheap no frills meal. Saved my money and we went to the food kiosk up the hill near the play area. Although $18 for 3 pies and a serving of chips, is not that cheap, it was enough to keep us going. Sat there and ate our pies, watching the kids frolic in the water area ( don't they feel the cold) and playground.

 

After lunch, we headed back through the Armoury, to Newington and Haslems Marker, then back to the Stadiums and McDonalds. Evan treated us to soft serve ice creams, which we ate watching the birds and people.  Pretty busy that afternoon. Looks like a cheerleading competition was on. Then back on the bikes, by this time our bums were feeling sore and Evan was having problems with his inner thigh muscles. Rode back to the Olymic Park tower and back to the car. Only 2pm when we finished.  If our bums and legs weren't so sore we probably could have kept riding.

Optometrist visit 20 and 27 July 2013

20 July 2013

Lily made an appointment for Justin and Darren to go see the optometrist, Michael Kimber at Hurstville on Saturday morning, but Darren didn't want to go, plus he had footy practice on later and didn't want to be late for that, so I took Darren's place instead.  Justin's appointment was for 10am, followed by Darren's. But when we got their, Kimber was busy, and then Justin had to go use the toilet, and so I ended up going in to be seen first.

Routine questions were asked: does the family have a history of diabetes, have I had any eye surgery or treatment, am I on any medication, what's my blood pressure like, have I had any problems since my last visit.  Then the series of tests on the wall - not quite as good, and then the close up tests. Then he tested the pressure - puff of wind into the eyes and took photos of the back of the eye.  Everything looks ok - photos same as last time - blood vessels all good, some yellow spots in my left eye - which was like last time - haven't grown bigger, so that's good. But I do need a change in my script, so while I was picking out my glasses, Justin was getting his eyes checked - he turned out to have perfect vision.  I picked out a pair of sunnies $130 and a pair for normal $130 and ordered some contacts as well. Both were the same brand, but one had tortoiseshell/leopard spot print and the other was a greeny teal colour - need a change and was not picking anything black. By the time we finished, it was around 11.30am, time to head back home, as Justin had ice hockey practice.

Then on Sat 27 July, I went to pick up my glasses. Lily came along to pick up Darren's order of contacts. Got to Hurstville around 10am. Michael wasn't in, but Melissa was, so ended up having her fit me out for the new pairs. The 2 pairs of glasses and contacts came to around $750 - wow. The frames were cheap, but the lens weren't. Anyway tried to claim the gap, but my Medibank card wasn't working - couldn't be swiped (I've ordered a replacement), so I had to pay the full amount - on debit card. Then I also needed to have my old pair adjusted - the handles were loose, but she was busy and asked if we could come back in an hour, so we went shopping. Checked out Millers, then went up to the Supacenter, checked out the fruit shop. Lily bought some mushrooms. Then went to the chinese grocery store and bought some stuff. On the way out, Lily spied a fast food outlet, new to me called Lamb & Cumin, run by asians selling lamb and chicken kebabs with leb bread. Ummed and erred before Lily ordered 10 sticks for $15. She waited and I went to get my glasses. Still not quite ready, but after a wait, finally got them fixed so they don't fall off. Then it was time to go home.

Stopped off at Belfield to buy some leb bread and dips to go with the lamb kebabs and that's what we had for lunch.

Mark's Birthday

We helped Mark celebrate birthday at Hurstville RSL with the Seeto's and some of the Chan's.

Newington Armory Revisted

Saturday 6 July 2013

The sun was shining, but it was a bit on the cool side and there was a breeze. But at least it was not raining.

Picannini's in the Park met up again this Saturday. Although not everyone could make it.  Only Dan, Mandi and Josh, Casey, Shirley, Matty and Izzy, Linda, Tony and Jordan, Evan, Kaylene and I.  Linda and Jordan's childcare friend "Jaikai" also turned up.

Seemed everyone else had the same idea - plus it was school holidays - so many kids.

Although I hadn't prepared anything, I was prepared to buy our lunch from the kiosk, Shirley arranged for Casey to cook a pot of fried rice and had more than enough to go around.

The kids played in the park, Izzy played with "Uncle E-van" and I caught up on some gossip.

After eating, Casey, Matty, Jordan and Tony scootered and biked to the "mini dam" and back. Then they had to go.

Once we saw them off, Evan, Kaylene and I cycled to Haslem's Marker, then to Olympic Stadium and Maccas. 

The Lion's versus Wallaby's game was on that night, so there were british and irish supporters out and about. Evan shouted us to nuggets and fries. Then on the way back, Kaylene and I lost Evan. 

Seems he went to take photos of the lion, and when he looked for us, we weren't there. We in the meantime, thinking he was following had gone to check out some bagpipers playing near the railway station. We both couldn't find each other in the sea of supporters, and the sun was going down and it was getting cooler, so we made our  way back to the car.  Evan got there before us and had loaded his bike and driven it down to the first car park. Lucky for us, we arrived later to spy him waiting to intercept us, otherwise if we had been earlier, we might have ridden to the car park to find the car missing.


Email Transcripts:

Hi "Pips"!

There's been a request for us to move the day to the first saturday of every month, which I have no objection to, and I know that some of the golfer men actually have something planned on the upcoming proposed bikescooter weekend of Saturday 22nd June so I think this change has come quite timely. 

So may I propose the next bikescoot day to be Saturday 6th July?
This should hopefully also give some of you some time to pump up some tyres...! Much apologies to those who have fixed the previous dates into their diaries. Hopefully this suits most of us, let me know if it doesn't.

Linda.

Unfortunately, all these people sent their apologies:

Marion - "Maybe next time, as I'll be away this weekend." (Marion went to Perth)
Wendy and Quan - "Hi All Quan and I won't be able to make it, hopefully see you at the next one. We're off to NZ next Mon also for about 10 days. Have a good one fellow Pikininis."
Jacq and Richard - "Sorry we can't make it on saturday, have fun, it's going to be great weather for it"
Marisa and Steve - "Sorry all, we're out for today also. Have fun!"
Ken and Angel - "Sorry guys, Angel and I can't make it to the Picinini (Tennis) Fun Day... May be next time..."
Bindy -  "I am in quarantine. All snotty. Have fun!"

Those who did go:

Casey and Shirley - "We can make it earlier this sat, about 10am.......would anyone like to come earlier and have a play/ride before lunch? It's school holidays and Matty and I are free in the morning :)  Lets all pray for good weather :)

Shirl "

Megan - "I'll be there with bells on...my bike that is. Hoping the sun is out. Like it has been all week and like today...I want to be out in it and not stuck inside at my work desk."

Shirley - "Yay, aunty megs is coming :)

Evan, just wanted to let you know that ever since the last pikinini in the park.......Izzie has been calling your name at random times of the day and every time we mention 'park', 'slide' or 'swing' .......she looks at me and says 'eh van?'

And Matty has been asking to play with Jordan again :)

Hope to see lots of you this sat, thanks Linda for organising!

We will be there from 10am and will bring our lunch."

Evan - "Awww, so sweet. I'll be there. Will try and get there early. See you all on Sat."

Linda - "Unfortunately I've got some tooth problems (yes, Shirley!) and the next earliest appointment is at 2.30pm tomorrow, but we should be there to soak up some sun and have lunch around midday which I am very much looking forward to after my first week back at full-time work!"