Canada trip and other stuff.

I didn’t realise it had been so long since I did an entry on OD. So many things have been going on.
Our new windows were finally installed and what a difference they make. It only took them a day to do the lot. Much quicker than I thought it would be.
Next was to get a painter in to do all the woodwork around the windows. Husband used to do all the painting and maintenance but now we have to get tradesmen in do do most things as he’s not fit enough to do any of that stuff now. It took ages to get the guy to come and even look at the job. When he finally came to do it, he filled in the nail holes, then went away for 20 mins while it dried and was coming back to do the painting. But the weather was so humid the filler didn’t dry so he’s coming again on Thursday. He better turn up. We are getting new drapes and can’t install them until the painting is finished.
Then we bought a mulcher lawn mower, as husband couldn’t cut the grass unless I was around to empty the catcher. His back won’t allow him to bend down. We received 2 phone calls to pick up the mower but when we drove over to get it, the guy said he meant to ring and tell us the battery for the keystart wasn’t working. Couldn’t he have done that before we drove over there? He told us it would be there in a couple of days, but nearly 10 days later, we called them to ask what was going on. The company had sent the wrong battery. The guy said to husband, I’ll call you back in 1 minute. That was 3 weeks ago. In the meantime we bought the mower from another shop. I’m waiting on the 1st place to call and ask when we’re coming to get the mower.
Then we had a trip to Melbourne for 2 days to catch up with Evan. He said he had planned things for us to do. First we went to the detention centre for illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in Melbourne. Listened to some of the stories from 3 Tamils from Sri Lanka who were there. Sad to hear what they have gone through. People get up in arms about the boat people who arrive on our shores, but most of the illegal immigrants come by plane and simply overstay their visas. While at the centre we also saw the American guy whose wife drowned on their honeymoon in Queensland. He was convicted of manslaughter and got a measly 18 months sentence. However he has been sent back to Alabama where it looks like he’ll be tried again. I didn’t think he could be tried twice.
Next was a trip to the centre of Melbourne for a Gay Rights demonstration! It was interesting listening to people and their stories. I support gay rights and can’t see how them having equal rights would do any harm to society.
Then Evan showed us an award he had received from the Victorian Government. It was a Tourism Award and he promised he would send me a copy of it. But I can’t see that happening. I’ll have to go down to Melbourne and get it myself. He got the award for doing the events at the backpackers hostel where he works. He runs comedy nights, takes guests to comedy shows, does talent and karaoke nights at the hostel. He obviously does a good job.
We have changed our plans for going to UK and decided on Canada instead as Melissa got us a good flight deal. So we’re going to Vancouver, doing the Rocky Mountaineer trip, then visiting Lake Louise and Jasper. I have a Canadian friend who visits her son in Jasper and we are going to meet up at last. We’ve corresponded for years on the net.
Then we are taking an Alaska cruise. As far as husband knows that it it. But Melissa has organised a flight from NYC to Cairo to see the pyramids. She and Evan will meet us there for 4 days of touring. Won’t husband be surprised! In between Vancouver and NY we have 5 or 6 days and I know he has always wanted to visit the museums in Washington DC, so that’s what we’re doing, although he doesn’t know that either! Then a few nights in NYC before we leave for Cairo. Husband and I may also get to see Petra in Jordan. But that part isn’t finalised yet. I plan on just telling him as we leave for the airport in Vancouver. The only problem is trying to stop from mentioning anything about the parts of the trip he isn’t aware of. I’ve caught myself a few times nearly saying something about it.
After the years of drought and the Hume dam being nearly empty, we’ve had enough rain lately to actually fill it up. There have also been floods in lots of towns. Not in mine thank goodness. But it’s heartbreaking to see people trying to sweep mud from their houses after the flooding has receded. It goes from famine to feast in this country. Fires then floods.
Well that’s enough for now. I may do another entry later. For now I will catch up with some favs.
I just realised it’s Nov 30th, so Happy St. Andrew’s Day to all you Scots out there in OD land.

Bye……