iSonto #68

 Way back in late April we went on a wonderful autumn ramble to the Salmon Ponds! Here are the pictures. We had a rare take away lunch of pies from "The Cheeky Little Place" in New Norfolk which has lovely quality food.

A huge highlight of our visit to the Salmon Ponds was the appearance of a platypus who delighted in swimming up and down by the side of one of the ponds. Incredible! My best ever platypus sighting and we stood and looked at him/her for a long time.

This was the day before negotiations finished on Dave's job offer at the University of Stellenbosch. This was a challenging time for us with lots of decisions to make, so it was a great time to take a few hours off and get some perspective.

 Dave emded up getting an appropriate offer so we are now off to Stellenbosch in South Africa next week, only nine weeks after accepting the offer! Its been a super quick move to organise. This will be my last iSonto from our little house in Southern Tasmania. Our removals occur this week and then we fly out the following week. Interspersed with the following photos are thanksgivings I've jotted down over the past month and more. We have heaps to praise God for as we've already overcome so many hurdles, including visas, air flights, removals date, the sale of our car, and home maintenace.

Pausing longer to look at insects due to my fascinated company!

Lying in sun on our bed

Autumn sunny house bliss

Mercy curled up listening to Curious George on headphones

Perfect way to remember our Kingston home

Weeding sunny garden beds

Raised garden beds

Ability to read

Picking fresh lettuce

Panadol!

Nate compliance with school work today

60 percent of our family have South African citizenship therefore no immigration issues for them!

Dave vacuums for me

Walking the beach at sunrise

A beach driving distance of where we are moving

Relaxing "date" evening with Dave and no interruptions

Mercy and Nate making their own friends

Able to read a long story without sore throat

Old silicon removed from bath tub

Time to do this

Driving amongst autumn colour in sandy bay

Shopping in quiet on my own

Children behaved while I got moving quotes plus helped someone catch our chickens

Happy new home for chickens

Nate adjusting well to gym

Good physio session despite being in lots of pain beforehand

Watching sunrise

Have medical certificates

Money for Canberra flight

iPod to listen to Anne of the island

Gym sooooo much easier than last year!

Mercy playing confidently a whole gym distance away

Moments to calm down

Waves crashing on shore

Positive party for Nate

Managed to shop, prepare cake, wrap pass the parcel, make pin tail on dog game, tidy house 

Dave helped prepare food

Cherished last cousin party before we go

Mercy said children aren't trouble they are a joy they give cuddles and they play, when told robbers didn't want children as they thought they would be trouble!

Greek salad to see me through paper work

Warm restaurant to work in

Slept all night 9/05

Home made muesli

Friends and family  to celebrate with and who carefully select gifts

Nate delighted with remote control car

Broom to clean floor!

Dave cooked beautiful curry dinner 

New perfectly working lock on front door

Warm car to drive in

Early morning cuddles in front of heat pump. 

Mercy recounting our faith stories: You cried out to God for a husband and children and he gave them, I will pray for children when I am a lady

Mild day for party

Hot bath

Children played happily outside for hours!

Sunshine on washing

Nate learning addition from iPod game

Made lunch peacefully

Did washing peacefully

Played balloon ball with both m and e

Seeing war memorial from taxi at least!

Packed my own delicious lunch

Cloakrooms for back pack

Being on parliament roof and seeing Canberra layout

Privilege of exploring old and new Parliament House 

Looking at books, shops and exhibits in my own time!

Wandering to my own pace!

Found Perfect picture books for children as we move

Stack of certified documents and finance documents for visa applications equals incredible privilege

Able to share nibbles for after church

Dave made hommus

Children played well with others after church