Having survived Perth’s hottest Christmas interval on report, in a home with out aircon, we all know we are able to survive something. It was a loopy finish to a different loopy yr. Who would have thought we might nonetheless be sporting masks, although we’ve missed many of the lockdowns being protected by the WA border wall. You’ll be able to think about we’re getting itchy ft as we’re unable to fly anyplace, though we’ve once more had a yr making good use of our caravan, travelling extra domestically round WA and elements of Australia.
Our main journey this yr was a few months exploring the Prime Finish, beginning with per week in Darwin staying with our attractive buddies and their youngsters. Chris so kindly provided his skilled cricket teaching to each our boys, which kick-started their cricket season again house. After Darwin and surrounds, we wound our means down the Stuart freeway. It was all incredible, with highlights being cruising on a houseboat, paddling the Katherine gorge, being mesmerised at Uluru, and staying underground in Coober Pedy. We fortunately prevented a few lockdowns, and on our final leg sprinted throughout the WA border to keep away from being locked out! Our different journeys away have been to the WA south (Wave Rock, Esperance, Porongurups and Denmark) in January, and some days at a Scout bush campsite in October.
The youngsters are rising up quick as they have a tendency to do, having two in highschool subsequent yr. We had thought-about transferring nearer to the excessive colleges, however have determined to remain in our rental in Mount Hawthorn as it’s so handy to the first faculty and there’s a fantastic little group round us.
Olive is sort of as tall as her mum now (though Clare doesn’t need to measure her to verify this), wanting and performing extra like an grownup every single day. She has taken her gown type to the subsequent degree, at all times wanting fabulous. She is midway by way of highschool and getting higher research habits and outcomes to point out for it. She was ecstatic about getting an A in English, together with distinctive outcomes throughout most topics. The yr culminated together with her group profitable the prize for one of the best main mission through which they recreated a TV present. Though not sports-crazy like her brothers, she nonetheless performed a season of netball (to help her pal), continued her weekly judo classes (now an orange belt), and has lately began going to the fitness center together with her mum. She nonetheless loves Scouts and solely has 3 months left earlier than she strikes as much as Venturers.
Jetson has had an epic yr, graduating from Yr 6 at Mount Hawthorn Major! We’re very proud to say that he obtained the highest maths award for his cohort of 120+ youngsters, in addition to the tear-jerking Anzac Spirit award for “persistence, exhausting work, and that never-give-up perspective”. He was elected by his friends as sports activities faction captain for the second semester, a recognition of his sporting passions. He made the interschool group for the ball sports activities, and competed within the WA disabled sports activities swimming and athletics championships. He continues with indoor soccer, performed a season of modcrosse, and is now again into his favorite sport, cricket. He has aspirations to compete on the Paralympics, however he wants to decide on a sport first! He begins at Bob Hawke Faculty subsequent yr.
Casper completed yr 4 this yr, with a superb trainer, and a tremendous report card. He’s loving his cricket and apparently bowls like a younger Brett Lee. He performed out of doors soccer for the primary time final winter. He was a champion utilizing his pace operating down the wings, the spotlight being his one and solely aim spectacularly scored within the final minute of the final sport of the season for a draw! He has continued with indoor soccer which he performs together with his buddies from out of doors soccer. He made the groups for interschool athletics and cross-country. Following the trail of his siblings, he was additionally chosen into PEAC (the first extension educational problem) program for subsequent yr, a lot to his aid. He was additionally accepted into the music program subsequent yr, so we can be listening to the flute performed round the home. Together with his ardour for artwork, Casper is a superb all-rounder.
Rob’s web sites have continued on steadily all through the pandemic, and with Clare at house extra (till now) he has been capable of put in additional hours, which he enjoys. The spotlight of his yr was driving the van to Darwin solo to start out our journey within the Prime Finish. His new yr’s resolutions are to get fitter and more healthy, to cease the niggles of previous age which are beginning to seem.
After 18 months with out substantial paid work (aside from writing for Rob), Clare has landed a job lecturing at Murdoch College, serving to to arrange and ship a brand new undergraduate vitamin diploma. It’s an thrilling change from working with athletes and brings with it some extra regular and family-friendly working hours, although she nonetheless has occasional work consulting with AFL and Rugby.
Clare’s mum Nina turned 80 in Could, and after a false begin attributable to a covid lockdown, we lastly had a giant social gathering with many buddies and family. She has settled in nicely and is blissful in her new house at Juniper nursing house. Rob’s mum in Melbourne has had a tough time totally on her personal in lockdown this yr, we hope we are able to make it over there quickly to go to her (and Leanne in fact).
We hope you and your loved ones have had a fantastic yr and have stayed secure and wholesome, regardless of all the pieces taking place round us. With the potential of journey on the horizon, we’re wanting ahead to an thrilling 2022.
Clare, Rob, Olive, Jetson and Casper
