The Year that was.....

What a year we have had. The family is getting busier and busier. As it has been such a busy year, dot points have been called in to list the happenings.

Stephen and Fran at Nelson, New Zealand, July 2012

• Stephen dropped down to 4 days of work and  had a change of year level after 2 years at the top (Year 6/7) and plummeted to the realms of Year 1/2. This was a welcome relief and he is happy to be with the little ones again as the hormones were just too much. His class last year was terrific so it was a good last class to have.
• Fran also works 4 days now and continues to work hard in the Tax office working on the mining tax which is oh so popular with the mining industry. Fran was hit hard by the Flu this year, we have never her seen her so sick. She was so sick she had to cancel a work trip to Melbourne. 
• Kayla has been Kayla. This year she started with a new dance school. She is with Kalamunda Performers and she is studying jazz, ballet and singing which she loves. She completes Year 4 this year and with only 2 remaining years at Sawyers, we are now starting to say, "Where did those years go?". Kayla also continued with her piano lessons.

  

  Kayla getting ready for her Dance Concert 2012

• Caleb has had a very big year. He has completed Year 2 this year and is making great progress with his reading which has been a challenge for him. His most impressive work has been with his gymnastics. He started the year in high performance at Swan Districts. He worked and competed at Level 3 International Levels (We think, gymnastic levels confuse us) and managed to be good enough to badge and be allowed to compete at States in September  The family even got to go to New Zealand in July for 2 weeks so that Caleb could compete for his club. He didn't win anything but we all had a brilliant experience and can't wait for the next one!



Caleb warming up at the State Gymnastics Competition on P-Bars with coach Teagen.

• So the first six months was really work, training for Caleb, taxi service for the kids, lessons for Kayla, more taxi service and saving up to go to New Zealand as this was not on our plan for the year until we were told in February. Well, actually we were told that Caleb will be going to Queensland however due to the Olympics, Gymnastics Australia didn't really get the dates ready and so the club decided it was New Zealand. So it was many sausage sizzles and Krispy Kremes sold to try and reduce the cost, not a lot was raised, but every cent counts, so we are not complaining. 



Caleb on High Bar at Top of the South Competition - Nelson, New Zealand.



Number 6950!

• Our journey to New Zealand started in Nelson where we had the 3 days of competition. We loved Nelson and were so glad we decided to go. Once the competition was over and all the team events over, we headed in the car down south to Greymouth, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, Waneka and Queenstown.



The view from our room in Queenstown. The Remarkables.

•  It was high on the list for us to see snow and on our last day we all went to The Remarkables for skiing lessons. When we arrived, it started snowing lightly, then it got heavier and heavier and colder and colder. It was perfect for the kids to see real snow and not just the lumps on the side of the road. It was a day they won't forget. New Zealand was amazing and we would love to go back again.



Al l rugged up and having something warm - Kayla and Stephen at The Remarkables.

• Our house continues to provide us with all we need to be comfortable, we are slowly improving areas that needed redefining and we have added a new path. 
• We were very sad to say goodbye this May to our beautiful cat Emma. The awful decision was made to have Emma put to sleep as her health was deteriorating and she was so sick, it was the kindest but most difficult choice. She had a wonderful 18 years of life, so sad to say goodbye. We spent a long time without a cat in the house and in October, Kayla and Stephen went looking for the newest member of our family. We found the beautiful Peppa at the RSPCA. As soon as Kayla and Stephen saw her, it was love at first sight. She is now 5 month old and runs the house as if she has been here all along. A very clever and well behaved cat.



Hello Peppa!

• The caravan (VANessa) hasn't been out and about too much due to the New Zealand trip but she had a quick trip to Manjimup earlier in the year and we hope to take her out again over the Summer break.

The Family - Cardrona New Zealand (Non ski gear - first time at a ski resort)

I think that is enough about us for this year. We worked hard and tried and stay sane for as much of it as possible. Please have a wonderful break this Summer (or Winter) and we wonder what 2013 brings us all.  Merry Christmas and happy new year from the Powell Family!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Merry Christmas! Another Year Over....

Another year has flown by and if you are in regular contact you would be aware that we had an adventure this year, the Powells went global. Our flight plan was Singapore, Frankfurt, Budapest, Split (Stay in Croatia 2 months and visit Venice, Dubrovnik and Zagreb) then back to Budapest, London, New York, LA (only after we had a flight cancelled and ended up going to LA via Boston), drive around California, Arizona and Nevada, Tokyo, Phuket, Hong Kong and home. The blog was only kept up to date with posts in Croatia however Stephen managed to keep the posts up to date on his class website http://misterpowell.edublogs.org/ . We had a fantastic adventure and the children were really really good considering what we parents put them through.

It was wonderful spending 2 months with Fran's family with Stephen, Kayla and Caleb finally having some understanding as to what makes Fran and her family tick! We swam everyday, and we ate way too much food and Stephen drank way too much beer. The weather was hot and humid which was unusual by Croatian standards. We could write about Croatia forever, but you can go to the older posts to read about our thoughts and observations.

London was great, Stephen finally enjoyed it as last time he was run off his feet looking for visas! Our accommodation was great (Think Apartments in Earls Court) and we managed to navigate our way around with seeing Wicked as a highlight and the natural History Museum. Harrods - overrated and way too expensive!

Off to New York and we were amazed at it's size and feeling of safety, we did not feel at any time at risk from the wonderful people of New York. Our hotel was amazing (The Beacon) and we were lucky to have a room on the 23rd floor overlooking Central Park. The kids enjoyed seeing Mary Poppins on Broadway but jet lag caught up with Caleb with him sleeping through. We navigated the subways and walked and walked and walked doing the usual touristy things. Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Rockerfella Centre, Central Park, Park Avenue, Time Square, New York Museum of Natural History, New York Zoo, Maceys, Bloomingdales, Tiffanys....we saw a lot in 4 days.

After a somewhat disappointing flight change at JFK Airport we observed Boston from the terminal before heading on 'shonky' airlines (American Airlines) to LA. The children were so tired but lucky for us Disneyland doesn't open to 10am, so the kids could sleep in a little before 2 days at the Happiest Place On Earth! We had a blast and were amazed when we bumped into and Education Assistant from Sawyers Valley at California Adventure Park (Part of Disneyland). Two days was enough at Disneyland and it was time for us to hit the road with some trepidation. Driving on the wrong side of the road on the wrong side of the car was enough to strike terror in the hearts of Stephen and Fran. To make things worse we had to navigate 6 lane freeways straight away! We had a very comfortable Chrysler Town & Country and a GPS! We drove to Palm Springs, Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale, Sedona (Amazing - we all want to live there) Meteorite Crater, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas then back to Aneheim. LA was dirty and busy and we were glad we had only one night before flying out to Tokyo.

We landed late afternoon in Tokyo and went straight to our Ryokan. We had a walk and found Stephen's apartment where he use to live. The next day we met up with Harumi and visited the Sumo Museum, Edo Museum, a beautiful 400 year old park, Fish market sushi restaurant, Imperial Palace and Asakusa. We needed to have an early night as we were required to be up early for our flight to Phuket via Hong Kong. We were getting tired now.

We landed in a very wet and soggy Phuket. Thialand floods were bad and the day before there were land slides. We tried to rest as much as possible, swimming and doing very little sight seeing. We rode elephants and went to a show, and that was enough. We were well and truly ready to go home. Just one more stop.

We headed back to Hong Kong for 2 nights and had a half day tour of the island. It was very wet and crowded, again, we had had enough and couldn't wait until our final, number 13, flight.

Highlights were  Croatia ~ Beautiful, Sedona ~ Beautiful, Grand Canyon ~ Amazing, New York ~ Friendly, Tokyo ~ Clean and friendly - we were disappointed that we couldn't stay longer but with the radiation risk, it wasn't wise. London ~ helpful and cheaper than expected.

Apart from the 3 months away, Stephen had a great Year 6/7 class, Fran was busy working 3 days a week, Kayla completed Year 3 and Caleb Year 1.

This week we had our car broken into and we lost many items including the brilliant camera we had whilst away. A very sad end to a wonderful year, but we are all safe and well. We are looking forward to more adventures in VANessa in the holidays and hope to go away lots in 2012. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year! With love from the Powell Famliy xxxx ~O~

Venice and back…

"Lost tourists in Venice....NOT US!"

Well our time in Croatia is slowly coming to an end and before we leave we managed to sneak in a few more things. It all started when we decided to go to Venice for a few days. After the complicated booking process, we managed to board a bus to Split in order to catch the ferry to Ancona in order to catch a train to Venice. Sounded easy. How hard could a 2 hour bus trip, 5 hour fast ferry and 4 hour train trip be? We flew from Perth to Singapore to Frankfurt to Budapest to Split, we could easily manage this…

Caleb with Roman Guards in Split

The trip started off fabulously with us being collected from the house by Petar then as we arrived at the bus station, a bus arrived heading to Split. Awesome. The weather was a tad on the hot side reaching 38 degrees when we arrived in Split, a city that has a large port and ancient city. We explored the ancient city after checking in (all good so far) and we placed our bags at the left luggage. Excellent progress. The kids were getting hungry and hot so we found a place to eat in the shade and then we still had time to explore the city. We then made our way to the SNAV terminal and we passed through passport control ready for the Italian adventure.

SNAV Croazia Jet in Split

The SNAV boat – Croatzia Jet was impressive. It was sleek and big and only running about 20 minutes late. The majority of the passengers were Italians returning from their Summer holiday or a religious pilgrimage to Medjigore (Spell check?). The crossing was smooth and the transition from Kuna to Euros was relatively painless although the girl at the counter was disgusted that Stephen produced a 100€ note as that is all that he got at the bank.

We arrived at Ancona to be dumped on the dock at nearly midnight with not a clue as to where to find a taxi. After some clever scanning of the area by we managed to get a very friendly taxi to take us to our hotel. A speedy 5 minute ride cost us 25€ ($1.00 AU is about 0.75€)…okay, it is worth it, getting to the hotel safely and we were tired and ready for bed.

Waiting at Ancona Train Station

Day 2, after a pre-packaged continental breakfast (didn’t know they existed really) we left for the train station (22€) and only 3 minutes away. We happily waited for our train and boarded the first class carriage to find people in our seats! How could this be!? We planned everything so well, well it turned out that the computer changed our ticket. Stephen marched up to the conductor and said “People are in our seats!” and the conductor looked at the ticket then said calmly “You have the wrong day, you have no ticket.” Well, Stephen went pale then was told” Ah, it is hot, there are many seats, just sit anywhere”. So for 4 hours we had to change seats at every station until it got so annoying that we ended up sitting in the carriage that had no air conditioning working. It was about 38 degrees and the conductors were so distracted by the heat they never asked us once to show our ticket. They kept saying “It is so hot, please move up to the next carriage …” but we just said that it was easier to stay put rather than keep moving. We gladly jumped off the train once we arrived in Venice to start the exploration.

Stephen, Kayla and Caleb in St Marcs Square Venice

Venice is beautiful and it is somewhere you must visit at some point in time at least once. Stephen was fortunate to visit once before however this time he really felt he saw Venice as we stayed for nearly 4 days. And boy, an expensive 4 days they were! We walked the streets after finding our gorgeous apartments. The Venitians obviously hate tourists as they are rude and don’t try very hard at all to make your stay easy. When we arrived we were given no real information about where the local shop was or how to get about. Luckily we knew about the bus pass which was expensive and the discounted price was only for children aged 14 to 26….go figure, so at 33€ each, we made very good use of the pass as well as a museum pass that we eventually found. St Marcs square and the palaces are amazing. Caleb loved spotting gondolas (he called them canoes for 2 of the 4 days) and Kayla was obsessed with Gypsies. We looked at masks and glass and we did a trip across to Murano in the hope of seeing glass blowing but it never eventuated as it was way too hot. Fran and Stephen were keen to get some clothing which was good for Fran but not for Stephen. The kids were excellent with walking in the heat everyday.

Nice dinner in Venice

Our first real cost shock was when we were desperate to have a cold drink. We had a coke, a tonic water, 2 juices and a bottle of water. Stephen nearly had a stroke when he had to pay 26€. Highway robbery. After the first day we found the local shop tucked away so tourist can not find and got food and water etc…to reduce our cost of living. The kids were stoked as they were allowed to have cocoa pops for breakfast as it was cheaper than everything else. We rode the gondola knowing we paid too much but it was worth every cent. We saw Marco Polo’s home and Cassanova’s Venice hangout which would have been missed if we didn’t do it. Caleb loved seeing real dinosaur bone and sabre tooth tiger teeth at the museum and Kayla loved being in Venice. We were happy with our navigation and Fran was actually exceptionally pleased with her map reading skills.

Gondola ride in Venice

So we said goodbye with a little bit of relief to Venice and we headed back on the train with the correct ticket to Ancona. We had a cabin to ourselves which was great however the kids had been struck by cabin fever as there is no where for them to run and jump and play. We hoped that they would sleep due to exhaustion however they seemed to have more energy. So 4 and a half hours was spent saying “Sh” and “This is your last warning” and “There are other people on the train” and “How many times have we…” and with great relief we arrived in Ancona. Again, off to the hotel, only 15€ this time…keh? How come it was 22 and 25 last time? On arrival we asked the reception to point us in the direction of a park which we found and said “Run wild!”.

Kayla mesmorised by Monks and Priests

The boat crossing back to Croatia wasn’t as smooth and there was a delegation of Italians going to Medgegore where they gathered around our area in order to hold mass. Well, Kayla thought she had died and gone to heaven, there were 3 priests and a monk. She sat through the entire hour of mass in Italian and at the end the monk gave her a silver crucifix which she now wears proudly. On arriving home Kayla built her own wooden crucifix and she prays every night. Don’t ask us where this all comes from…we are just as confused.

The golden challis and Kayla

So we are back in a Croatia and starting to look towards the holiday destinations starting on the 9th of September. We have managed to set Petar and Stana up on Skype which has been a great achievement and they already been chatting to family in Australia. Today we went to Krka on a cruise and swam in a lagoon at the base of a waterfall…absolute bliss and we could have swam for hours, but the boat had to leave some time.

Where we swam in Krka National Park

There will be one more entry before we head to London and the entries will be shorter as we won’t have to luxury of time as we have had in Croatia. Now to upload a videos and picks for Venice and Krka.

Krka

*Unable to upload videos due to seriously weak internet*

Sea Urchins and Sibenik

A quieter week this week with us spending more time visiting relatives and going to Sibenik. Caleb became unwell with the same virus Kayla had and visited the doctors and was placed on a course of antibiotics. But as this is written it can be said we are nearly all well!

Buttons in Sibenik

On Monday we went to Sibenik again in the search of shoes for walking and keeping away from the stairs as it was enough last time and we didn’t want to subject the kids to the many stairs again. We enjoyed a hamburger (so not Croatian) and icecream whilst wandering through the beautiful streets that have been cleaned up a lot according to Fran since the refinery closed in recent years. A lady on the bus there told us it was blown up with dynamite! Fran also managed to get her hair cut and she said it made her feel a whole lot better. She did try and find a hair dresser in Tribunj however the hair cuts on the hair dressers worried her so she thought she would wait until the big city….well, bigger than Tribunj.

Kids in Sibenik

Visiting relatives was the order of the week with us visiting Fran’s cousin Nada in Vodice (she owns apartments and only works 5 months of the year) and she lives next door to her mother Aunty Stoya (Stana’s sister) and her brother. We enjoyed cake and coffee and good conversation.

Petar, Carlos, Stoya and Nada

We then went to Fran’s Aunty Kate’s place up the road and we saw Fran’s cousin Anita and Fran’s cousin Sanja’s daughter Martina (15)….very confusing for us non Croatians. We enjoyed conversation and wine and we must state here that the kids have been amazing. This time has really been Fran speaking Croatian for up to 2 hours straight and the apartments are very small with very little room for the kids to play. The odd game of Uno can pass the time but they have done really well as there are not many kids there age around when we have been visiting. We then walked all the way back to Tribunj along the coast.

Aunty Kate, Fran and Kayla

The following day we went to visit Fran’s cousin Marijana and brother Sime , children and lovely very frail mother. Again more food and wine was had (mostly by Stephen) and Fran once again spoke for up to 2 hours. This time there was room for the kids to play however they were getting a little tired of the visiting at this stage.

Marijana, Matija, Sime

We then went to Vodice to make one last visit on the to do list and it was to meet up with Fran’s cousin Sanja and she lives close to the ocean in Vodice and a beach that is more pebbles than rock.

Kayla wasn’t keen to go in but after reassurances that there is nothing dangerous in the water she went out deeper than advised and of course stepped on the first sea urchin in the area. This resulted in Fran and Sanja (an exnurse) trying to get out the spines (2 tiny spines) from her foot. Whilst screaming like a banshee, one was removed and the other a cream was added so Fran could remove it the following day…which she did and Kayla once again screamed like a banshee and declared never to swim again in the ocean without shoes.

Pebble beach pre-urchin

So we are now booked for a busy few weeks. Next week we have the Donkey races on Monday, not sure why a Monday, then we are off to cruise around the islands of Konate. We have also booked Dubrovnik for the following week then we plan to go to Zagreb and Venice the week after that. We have managed to secure some apartments in Dubrovnik and Zagreb and hope to do the same for Venice, that’s if the travel agent in Vodice can get on the internet! If not, we will be doing it from the tepid hotspot in Tribunj! Dovedenja!

The Wedding Part 2

Christmas 2009

Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season. As per last year we have created a little movie for you all to enjoy. Love from the Powells xxxxo

Wanneroo Show 2009

The Powells had a big day out at the Wanneroo Show. It included Camel rides, Balloon rides and Swing Chair rides. It finished with a fireworks display they could watch from the comfort of the Babun's front lawn.Balloon Ride Fireworks

Magical Merry Go Round

Baba and Stephen on the Swing!

Stephen, Kayla and Caleb on the Camel Ride.

Trek the Trail 2009

Today the Powells and the Mitcheners walked all the way from Mundaring to Darlington - a whole 9kms. It rained then it was fine then it drizzled then it was fine and so on until they got on the bus to go back to the start. Fran did some art work that was displayed on the way. Some photos to record the artwork are below. Aunty Vicki came along for the walk too! Aunty Vicki and Kayla

Fran's NutFran's Leaf The whole installation

Happy Birthday Fran!

It is never any fun having to work on your birthday so Stephen tried to make the most of a dinner with the family. Photographic evidence below. The cake didn't taste too bad. Kayla made us wear the pointy hats.

Mothers' Day 2009

Tina and Clints' Wedding 25/4/2009

Some pictures from yesterday's wedding where Kayla was flowergirl.The wedding was held at Mulberry on Swan in the Swan Valley. Caleb and Fran Mr and Mrs Nutter
Flower Girl Kayla
Butterflies released stayed with us for a while:-)
The Girls
Kayla and Jayde

Dancing Dad and Kayla and Caleb

More Broome Pics

Cable Beach - April 5th 2009 - Magnificent.

Balls of sand left by little crabs...Cable Beach
Stephen standing at Cable Beach April 5th 2009

Broome Beach Resort where we stayed...very nice!