Day 32: Sat 27 Jun - Canberra

-1(-5) - 3(9), a frosty start to the day, and cold all day with lovely sunshine for a bit

After a quick breakfast we headed off to Tuggeranong to watch our niece Carla play in the quarter finals of the NSW/ACT Basketball Comp. Her team won by at least 10 points so made it into the semi final that was being played at 3pm. With Mum and Jojo, we went to Maccas for mornos. Our first visit in Canberra for this trip; Wendy went for a month without Maccas - amazing! What used to be a decent feed at a decent price has morphed into almost 'need to take a loan out' visit. However, we all enjoyed our mornos, so that's the main thing.

After lunch, Greg took the bike for an outing on a very cold and overcast afternoon. He initially intended to go further than 25km, but as the cold crept into his bones he ended up heading home for a nice hot shower. After visiting Dad, he had a ride around The National Arboretum then part of the lake, before heading home. Meanwhile, Wendy had a little rest then went with Mum back to Tuggeranong  to watch Carla play in the semis, and they won that game quite convincingly in the end so are now into the finals, being played tomorrow sometime around midday'ish. Fortunately, this game will be at Belconnen, about 2km from home.

On Greg's return, he got down to making dinner with whatever leftovers he could find in the fridge. We ended up with rice, veggies, cheese and egg fritters with smashed sweet/potato. Not bad for a 'part-time chef'. Thank you Gregory!

One lonely hot air balloon aloft on a frosty Canberran morn

It is so cold in Canberra, even the trees need blankies!

The roos looked a lot fluffier than ours at home due to the extra layers of fur required to keep the cold out

No leaves = winter in Canberra

A new sculpture at the National Arboretum - a bird that has multiple moving parts

Action shot of Carla

The look on Carla's face - 'seriously, you're taking another picture of me'

After Carla's semi-final win with Mum

Sunset was ruined by rain

Day 31: Fri 26 Jun - Canberra

2(-2) - 13(9), another frigid day

Wendy worked and Greg relaxed in the morning. After lunch and a little rest, Wendy and Mum went to visit Dad. Dinner was leftovers from last night at Kev and Sam's.

Day 30: Thu 25 Jun - Canberra

-1(-5) - 13(8) deg C, cold, even by Canberran standards

Wendy worked and Greg finished off levelling the soil from the outside garden, and took all the railway scenery to the train mob that happen to be adjacent the Church he attends. Thank you Greg, for all the hard work you have done over the past 4 weeks or so, your efforts are truly appreciated.

We had a lovely chicken/rice dinner at Kev and Sammy's, with James arriving a bit later. Karen (a work co-director and friend of Sammy's) turned up after dinner to deliver a chair her husband had forgotten to pack for the boys trip this week. We had a real good catch up and it was great to see the 'kids' coming into, and being able to, hold their own in the conversation. The night ended a bit earlier than usual as Kev and Ben have an early start in the morning for a big drive to catch up with their mates.

BeeBee with Ben's new hat, not an Acubra

The diners: Greg, (Wendy), Jem, Kev, BeeBee, Ben, Sammy, Karen (not sure where James was)

Day 29: Wen 24 Jun - Canberra

2(-2) - 11(8), while not quite as icy, still jolly cold

Greg took a walk to Belconnen Mall to find the NAB branch to conduct some checks as EPA for a lady that used to attend the Howard Uniting Church. We're not sure if the submission will be successful, as both EPAs had to be present, in person, at the same time. Not long after returning, Greg was notified that the lovely lady had been admitted into palliative care, so not looking good.

After lunch and a little rest, Wendy helped Greg deconstruct Dad's vegie garden outside the fence from the patio area. The hardest part was extracting the six star pickets that had been driven in half way to China! we removed the chicken wire from the frame, then the frame (reo), then the star pickets. The beds deconstruction will happen sometime in the next few days.

Wednesday pub night was takeaways from Lahori Gate Restaurant about 300m from us. It is Pakistani and serves many of the same dishes you would find in an Indian Restaurant. Mum had curry prawns, Greg had mixed seafood curry, and Wendy had an allegedly mild chicken korma. We also ordered a Gulab Jamun which is an Indian sweet consisting of a ball of deep-fried paneer boiled in a sugar syrup. It was very sweet indeed, and a nice follow-up for Wendy's spicy chicken korma, but is not something she would order again. In fact, none of us would probably eat from there again when there are better restaurants in the area. Mum said the restaurant sets up a food van on the Weetangera oval on a school sports day and the takeaways have been ok. The meals were not awful, and if there were no other restaurants open, and we did not want to cook, we would definitely consider them, with different dishes perhaps.

Trying to extract the star pickets. Forgot to take a photo of the entire enclosure.

What's left to deconstruct

What has already been removed

Bird life at Weetangera Gardens. We also get the Eastern rosella, but they are very hard to photograph as they are very nervous!

Day 28: Tue 23 Jun - Canberra

-1(-5) - 12 (8), another icy day in Canberra

While Wendy worked, Greg took the electrical wiring waste to the recycling centre and came home with $110 in his pocket; paid for three of the four rubbish dump runs he's done.

Not sure what we did in the afternoon, but it was still jolly cold so there wouldn't have been any outdoor activities!

Day 27: Mon 22 Jun - Canberra

3(1) - 14(10), a lovely sunny day; the sun was quite warm when sitting directly in it

While Wendy worked in the morning, Greg set about clearing out the carport by taking stuff to the tip - four trailer loads, and we think we are finally done. There may be another run if we can't get the metal recycling centre to buy the metal stuff from us. 

A quick visit to see Dad in the afternoon was followed by leftovers from last night. 

Day 26: Sun 21 Jun - Canberra

2(1) - 13(8), cool and dry

Greg (rode) and Mum (drove) to Church in the morning and only returned about 1200h. After lunch we had a little rest and then donned the lycra over many layers of warm clothing and went for a ride. It was only 24km, band it was good to get the legs cycling again. 

Mum had made slow cooked beef cheeks on Fri(cooked outside overnight) in anticipation of having Dale, Suz and the not so little ones for dinner this evening. We decided to accompany the beef cheeks with creamy mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, and peas and corn. So, not long after getting back from the ride, Wendy got stuck into peeling and chopping 2kg of potatoes, and put them onto boil. Drained them, then added butter and Greek yoghurt to make it light and creamy. We forgot the peas & corn, but the meal went over a treat with everyone until Carla learned we were eating the face of a cow! Suz made a ricotta, pistachio and lemon mousse, sprinkled with crushed pistachios and grated chocolate - delicious! They didn't stay long as it is a school night and the kids had all had a long day playing various sports.

We were all in bed not long after 2130h.

Day 25: Sat 20 Jun - Canberra

9(4) - 13(8) deg C, foggy and drizzly to start, sunny, drizzly, sunny

As Greg had completed his duties (for the time being), he decided to go for a ride. Learning from his failed attempt the other day, he donned an increased number of clothes, and 62km and half a day later, he was home. He said he didn't feel cold at any time, so he just kept riding.

Wendy did a lot of nothing today, and really enjoyed it. 

Nun is slowly getting her strength back and even managed to tidy the pantry this afternoon. Yesterday she did slow cooked beef-cheeks and left it on outside under the patio so the house did not smell. When she brought it inside this morning, it smelled delicious. Hopefully it will be consumed with family in the next day or so. We will have creamy mashed potatoes and some other veg.

Greg's chicken sandwich lunch

No prizes for guessing what this is!

National Capital Exhibition building under pretty ordinary weather conditions in Canberra today

Day 24: Fri 19 Jun - Canberra

12(8) - 18(15) deg C, not a very nice day at all, with rain all day

While Wendy did some more work in the morning, Greg made the finishing touches to the train room. Wendy helped clean up a little after her work.

We visited Dad in the afternoon and he was firing on all cylinders and quite with it.

Dinner was leftovers from last night.

Going .....

Going .....

Gone! Greg has claimed this as his computer room now. One day, when the place needs to be sold, it will be marketed as a home office. It was once part of a double garage. The other space is on the left of pic on the other side of the wall. There is also a 1.5 car carport on the other side of the roller doors.

Day 23: Thu 18 Jun - Canberra

7-18(15), overcast and drizzly

At the risk of sounding repetitively boring, Greg spent another day cleaning out the train room, packing various bits in boxes, and creating a lot of junk for the tip; Wendy did some work.

Dinner was mango/sweet chilli chicken with quinoa/rice and vege.

We are missing our babies!

Day 22: Wed 17 Jun - Canberra

8(6) - 17(14) deg C, with a fresh breeze all day

Not a lot to tell for today: no visit to Dad, but plenty of work at home. Wendy completed a half day's paid work and the rest was unpaid. Greg spent the majority of the day in the train room again sorting trains, carriages and buildings into two trunks - one for each of the boys - Kevin and Dale, to do with what they please. Wendy had already chosen her three 'vehicles'. 

Chinese left overs for dinner went down a treat.

GO QUEENSLAND!

Day 21 - Tue 16 Jun - Canberra

4(2) - 17(14), cold to a little more pleasant in the afternoon

Greg was in the train room again, selecting, wrapping and packing locos into trunks for Kev and Dale. Wendy did some paid work until it was time to attend a meeting at Arcare for a way forward for Dad after the initial two week into period. We all agreed on the best way forward and that is what we told the Client Services Manager. We also met with the Clinical Services Manager, a turban-wearing shortish man, with a good sense of humour but spoke 'velly velly wast'. We both understood that he was about creating the best environment for the client (or so he said) so we left happy in the knowledge Dad would be well looked after. 

Delicious Chinese takeaways dishes ended the day nicely.

Day 20: Mon 15 Jun - Canberra

10(7) - 15(12) deg C, another warmish day for Canberra

Greg decided he should go for a ride, while Wendy said she was too busy and had to work! Greg was back about 30 minutes after he left as it was still quite fresh outside and he was really not enjoying it at all; can't blame him really. After getting warm on his return, he went straight back into the train room for more sorting. He had arranged with K&D for them to visit after work and kid sport commitments to see for themselves what was available, did they want anything, and what to do with the rest. A suggested way forward was agreed to. 

Wendy did a half-days work, then some more office sorting.

It was a later than usual night after K&Ds visit.

Day 19: Sun 14 Jun - Canberra

13(11) - 16(14) downright tropical for Canberra in winter! A little bit cloudy, but no rain

A little bit of train sorting and lots more office sorting. Wendy thought she had finished her affair with the shredder, but wait, there is more! A couple of folders has escaped detection in the first round, and had a heap more documents that needed destruction via a shredder. Papers were sorted but not destroyed. Greg managed to go to Church today, which was good for him.

Today was a family lunch (late) at Dale and Suz's just down the road. Mum made the apple crumble dessert to go with the slow cooked lamb, couscous, and vege for main. Unfortunately, no-one thought to take photos. Dad was not there as it was too soon to take him out of the centre, so, the photo would have been incomplete anyway. We were required to be there at 1pm; we predicted we wouldn't be eating until at least 2-2:30pm, and we were pretty much spot on. The delay was due to a faulty slow cooker - allegedly! After the wait, the food (both courses) were par excellence! 

We only got home after dinner time, but as we did not need any, we teeth-cleaned, showered and went to bed. 

Day 18: Sat 13 Jun - Canberra

2-16(13) deg C, cold to not so cold

Greg spent the majority of the day in the train room and cleared a lot more stuff, and sorted other stuff into more piles. Wendy spent most of the day going through the files and folders in the office and sorting stuff into 'keep' and 'not keep' piles. The 'keep' pile was filed appropriately, or put aside for a file to be created. The stuff in the 'not keep' pile got fed into the shredder, and the office looked like a streetscape after a ticker-tape parade! There are a few more bin bags in the car port to go to the tip. Not to self and other readers - don't hoard!!  There is no need to keep every piece of medical/surgical/pathology you've ever had; you treating GP will/should have a copy. Bin it!

Day 17: Fri 12 Jun - Canberra

(1) - 18(17) deg C; a glorious winters day in Canberra

While Wendy took Mum to see Dad, Greg went for a ride with Rick, a guy from the Church. Rick is a few years younger than Greg and does not have a dicky heart so has a manual bike, almost the same as Greg's red Giant drop bar carbon fibre. Greg said he had a little trouble keeping up with Rick on the flat, but the e-bike came into its own on the hills. Wendy did the morning taxi to the Centre and back again. After which Mum was on the phone to the vehicle insurance company to ask for their concurrence to drive. Long story short, insurance company says talk to GP, and GP says talk to insurance company. Mum decided she was right to drive to did just that to visit Dad at lunch time with Jojo who brought Zambrero lunch with her. Jojo and her Pops get on like a house on fire, and she is so comfortable with the 'old age' thing, so everyone was in awe. We love you Jojo. 

Wendy completed a half-days real work, for real money while Greg completed two dump runs and nothing is for free in Canberra. We think we have at least one more. Greg spent the majority of the day in the train room and cleared out a lot of stuff. Because Dad grew up with not much of anything, he hoarded anything and everything he thought might be useful in constructing his train network, from empty lip balm tubes, dead flowers and leaves that he dried and ground into powder to make into the exact shade of paint he wanted, anything and everything, he had it. Anyway, it all went into the 'tip' pile. 

Day 16: Thu 11 Jun - Canberra

12(10) - 17(15) deg C, almost summer in Canberra again!

More sorting of the stuff in the train room and office. One trip to the tip, with another required in the morning. Wendy played taxi driver again for mum, very willingly.

Pan fried chicken thighs with bone in, steamed potato and broccoli for dinner.

Day 15: Wed 10 Jun - Canberra

5(3) - 15(11) deg C, a drizzly day all day

Both Greg and Wendy got stuck into sorting duties before Wendy took mum to see Dad to prepare for their visitors. Greg joined them for Holy Communion with a few Baptist Church members. Mum had organised the visit with the Centre and they had their own Worship area.

Greg and Mum were back just after midday as Wendy was preparing her lunch. We had lunch together then a rest. Greg then got back into the train room to continue cleaning out the cupboards. He also found a few boxes of  'trains' still in bubble wrap. 

Wendy ferried Mum to and from the Centre for another visit before a green pumpkin soup dinner. Wendy wanted to make a roast pumpkin and onion soup for dinner, however, the pumpkin was green so the soup was "green" too. Never mind, it tasted quite ok with a white sauce behind it.

Day 14: Tue 9 Jun - Canberra

0(-3) - 13(11), down-right tropical this morning, not! Rain in the late morning and afternoon

After breaky, Wendy took Mum to visit Dad, then a trip to the blood suckers. Greg got stuck into tidying up Dad's train room with a view to selling the stock. A really nice train enthusiast couple came to provide guidance on how to go about selling such a vast amount of stuff. While Dad's setup is a miniature railway, this couple's is a tiny railway. We have been invited to see it, but have yet to make an appointment. It will have to be pretty special to beat the trains at Miniature World in Hamburg, Germany.

Mum had a meeting scheduled with her Aged Care Provider's Care Partner, Sadia, to discuss the way forward now that Dad is no longer eligible for the system. She spoke very fast and it was all a little difficult to understand at times, but Sadia was very patient with us and took the time to re-explain everything we did not at first understand. Bottom line is that because Mum is on Level 2, she does not have enough funding to keep all the services she was getting under the Mum and Dad combined plans. We worked out a solution that was agreeable to Mum, until she has another assessment with a view to moving to the next care plan level. Wendy has a bit of homework to do to send a few docs to Sadia.

The overall look, forgot to take a 'before deconstruction' pic

Some of the engines (L) and various carriages (R)

More carriages

Vehicles you would usually see at a train station and working yard

All the different types of buildings and structures

Even a Church

Day 13: Mon 8 Jun - Canberra

-2 (-4) - 13(9) deg C, freezing to cold!

King's Birthday holiday in ACT. 

Cleaning, tidying and sorting day at Mum and Dad's. Greg sorted the garden shed today and managed to identify a lot of stuff for the tip and the recycle store adjacent the tip. Wendy sorted a lot of papers in the home office, but there is more to do tomorrow. 

Greg also took a drive to a Retreat facility near Murrumbateman to meet up with long time ex-Army Padre Phil. They had a great few hours catching up.

They found the Crosses, a tourist attraction adjacent the Warrambui Retreat & Conference Centre

Just as Greg parked the car at home, this beautiful Spotted Pardalote paid him a visit 

Day 12: Sun 7 Jun - Canberra

-1(-4) - 13(10), clear to start, foggy mid-morning, clear afternoon and evening

While Greg and Mum went to Church, Wendy went to Kev and Sam's to feed the chooks and cats. Lucky she took her beanie as it was a tad cold! She spent the rest of the morning sorting through the stuff in the cupboard in the office. Dad was VERY much into model trains, and has lots of books, magazines, computer print-outs, etc, etc. We don't want to get rid of everything just yet, so Wendy just consolidated all the piles and re-arranged the shelves.

Church was really good, but Greg does miss the Howard UC format. The Evatt Baptists tend to be very modern, but the people are so lovely that he won't going looking for an alternative. 

After lunch and a short rest, Wendy dropped Mum off to see Dad, than attacked the office again. Greg braved the cold and went for a ride. He came back with a cold, runny nose and very cold hands, despite having a thick pair of gloves on. 

Dinner was Chinese from Dumpling Inn again and it was just as good as it was last week.

Views over Lake Ginninderra of Belconnen Town Centre on Greg's ride 

Reflections

Day 11: Sat 6 Jun - Canberra

2(-2) - 14(11),  cold!

We all went in to see Dad and have mornos with him at the centre's in-house cafe. Unfortunately, we had to cut it short as Dad had a 1030h appointment with the exercise class. Greg accompanied him and it must have worked as he was keen to try all the different exercises. Back in his room, we had some more chats until it was time for him to go to lunch, so we left. 

Greg, Dale and Henry went back in the afternoon with Dad's whiz-bang chair. While the solid one in his room is quite comfortable, the electrically adjusted chair is far more comfortable. He was, by all accounts, very happy and thankful for the effort taken.

Left over mango-chilli chicken with potatoes and onion/cabbage filled the tummies nicely for dinner.

Day 10: Fri 5 Jun - Canberra

3(1) - 15(11) deg C, foggy until midday

Wendy did another half day's work while Greg took Mum to see Dad. After lunch, Wendy took Mum back to see Dad and stayed and chatted for a while.

Not much else to tell for the day. Wendy cooked one of those butterflied chickens, this one having been marinated in mango and sweet chilli. A warm potato salad, and fried onion & red cabbage dish accompanied the chicken. This flavour of chicken is the best by far.

Day 9: Thu 4 Jun - Canberra

5(0) - 11(5) deg C, not very much rain, but freezingly cold!

Wendy had to catch up on some work this morning, so Greg took Mum to her post-pacemaker surgery appointment with her GP. Mainly to assess the wound and reinforce what she can and can't do for the next 5 weeks. Mum is 'not happy Jan', because she is not allowed to do stuff, but that's why we are here!

After lunch, we all went in to visit Dad who was awake and pleased to see us, although his "eyelids just close automatically"! He does open them a few seconds after hearing our voices though. We spent about an hour and half with him chatting in between.

More "Nice 'n' easy" for dinner tonight. No one felt like cooking.

Day 8: Wed 3 Jun - Canberra

11(5) - 13(9), not as cold today, but still rainy and horrible

The BIG move day. We were advised that a 10am arrival would enable a smooth transition with all the available services (physio, nursing, pharmacy, etc) able to come and see Dad and check him over. His first visitor was from the physio who gave him a good going over and took him for a walk around the lower level of the centre to try and orient him to all the available spaces - dining room, physio/gym, hair salon, cafe, lounge areas, etc. Also to check his mobility. After that, we do not think he remembered much as he was quite buggered! We also had enough by lunch time, so left Dad to settle, have lunch, and maybe meet some of his fellow "in-mates".

After lunch at home, and a little rest, we went back to visit Dad, but had to leave early to pick up Carla and take her to the allergy clinic near the Australian Mint. We waited nearby instead of driving all the way home. We dropped her at home, then went home ourselves. Greg and Mum had pre-cooked oxtail stew with left over potatoes, and mixed veggies. Wendy had a Lite 'n' Easy rissoles with mash and gravy. No room for dessert. 

Dad's suite, #4. Ensuite to the back of Mum's chair. Has direct access to his own private space outside his room. Too jolly cold at this time of year though.

The little lounge nearest Dad's suite

If you want to have a private special family function, they will cater for it

The Cafe - $5 for a large flat white!

One of the lounges in the foyer area

The dining room for Dad's community - Belconnen

Day 7: Tue 2 Jun - Canberra

7 (3) - 13(8) deg C, an even more miserable day

Didn't do a lot today other than sort clothes for Dad to take to Arcare, wash what needed washing, print cloth labels then iron them all on. It is amazing how long it all takes, and it was completed by mid-afternoon.

For a special 'last dinner at home for a while', Greg cooked Dad a salmon with prawns dish, served with warm, while Wendy cooked a pork scotch fillet for her and Mum. Both dishes were served with boiled potatoes with dried parsley and rosemary, and crumbled feta, and steamed broccoli. No-one went away from the table dissatisfied. 

Day 6: Mon 1 Jun - Canberra

0 (-1) - 13 (7)!! deg C, jolly cold with on/off rain

Happy Birthday Suzanne and Leandra

Today, we had a family discussion with our dear father about placing him in an Aged Care Facility. Wendy's youngest brother had engaged the services of a Consultant in Aged Care who was determined to find us a place close to home so mum does not have to travel too far. For those of who have been through the process, you know what is involved. Dale has done all this while working fulltime and taking three kids here, there and everywhere for sporting events. We are incredibly grateful for his efforts.

While the family conference was taking place, Greg took a walk to the Belconnen Mall and back.

We knew there was a newly opened aged care centre just down the road from where mum and dad live - Arcare Aranda (Arcare Aranda | Premium Aged Care in Canberra, ACT) if anyone is interested. It looks and feels like a 5* hotel. After we had explained to Dad why we were putting him permanent care, he said he understood, however, we are not too sure. Dad has always been a very quiet person, so we do not know how he really feels about it.

After lunch, we had a really quick rest before Wendy had to make a quick visit to the shops before all going over to Dale and Suz's for some bubbles and birthday cake the Birthday Girl had to make herself!

Left over Chinese for dinner.