New Car

Well last Wednesday night we went looking at a couple of cars, namely Mitsubishi Pajero's and we bought one. We go back there tomorrow evening to pay for it and take it home.

A 2007 NS Pajero GLX, diesel, long wheelbase, it has only don 24000kms, is in very good nick as well, and runs pretty good. The very back seats also fold down into the floor.

So I spent most of the weekend wishing I could have got it earlier, so we could go out and test it 4wdriving. I have to admit it will b fun having a 4wd again and going across Australia in this one and being able to visit a few extra places with it.

Now it is time to kit it out. This weekend I will be going to ARB to order the bullbar, spotties, UHF radio, possibly tow bar, dual battery set up, air compressor and cargo barrier. I must also get the stone protectors for the bonnet and headlights and 2 weather shields for the front windows. Then all that will left to do for it is dark tinting and a car fridge for the trip, which could also be used for a bar fridge when not travelling. Luckily my brother will set up the dual battery system, spotties and install the air compressor if it comes with ready made brackets.

We have also started checking maps and the routes we want to take as well, since we will be going the long way round, via Melbourne, but there will be lots of friends to visit on the way. We are starting to get an idea of the itinerary, and it will include at least a couple of Hawks games along the way, v Adelaide at AAMI stadium on the 31st of may and v Sydney at the MCG on the 7th of June.

Ang has also looked into removalists as well, to get all our stuff over there as well, a couple of people have been around already with a few more to come this week, then we will have to seriously start packing and sorting out what we need to take with us in the car for the trip.

Ciara is also going ahead in leaps and bounds, she will be 9 months tomorrow. She hasn't started to walk yet, but she is not far off. She will put both hands up if you ask "hands up if you are beautiful". She can now climb up the first 2 steps of our stairs and we are trying to teach her how to get down backwards after 1 fall backwards already, she is getting the hang of climbing down as well. We are hoping she will be OK sitting in a car for about 3 weeks.

The Apartment is Sold

Yay the Apartment is now sold with an unconditional contract and settlement is about 5th of June, maybe a touch earlier if they can get out of their lease.

I have also given in my date I will be leaving work as well, 15th of May and we hope to be on our way to Brisbane about a week later. If we time it right I will get to watch Hawthorn in Perth on the 15th, then in Adelaide on the 31st and then in Melbourne on the 7th of June, playing Sydney. If I can Ang into it we can then take the car across to Tasmania and watch them play against Brisbane so I might get a chance that is her team.

Meaning our next job is to get this new 4wd we want to have for the drive to Brisbane. We are very Keen on a Landcruiser Prado, but for the money we are thinking of spending we can get a newer Pajero, even if it does mean wanker in spanish. I am finding it hard to decide, but either way it will be a diesel, I still like the Peugeot 307 diesel that I owned whilst living in london.

Little Peanut is still progressing, she can now climb a step, but can't get down and can also stand without holding on to anything for about 15 seconds.

One final thing for me to say is that today is my birthday, 40 years old today!!
Sometimes I don't feel that old but every now and then it seems to catch up with me. We are having a party at mum's house on Saturday for me, but it is also mums birthday tomorrow, 3rd. So hopefully people will remember her birthday as well.

Will report bck soon as well, maybe even a picture from the party.

New Years Day

Well it is now 2009 but it doesn't seem like I will be 40 in 3 months.

We had a quiet night with a couple of friends over for a bbq, but their little one was getting a bit tired so they left early to get her home and to bed.

2008 was a good year for us, after all we did get Ciara on 15th of July and although there was some late nights in the first few weeks, that is all sorted and she is in bed by about 8pm and has been sleeping through the night since 10 weeks old. Ciara has now been commando crawling on her tummy since before she was 5 months old and first rolled over by 7 weeks. Solid foods have also been started at about 4 and a half months. So there seems to be progression pretty quickly.

We also renovted our bathroom though it wasn't cheap, it really adds alot to the place and will hopefully make it easier to sell the apartment. We are both very happy with how it turned out, with colours neutral enough not to put anyone off.

We also had a couple of trips to the eastern states as well, I went to Qld once and to NSW once, though Ang went Qld 3 times and NSW once. We also have another trip to Qld coming up in February which should be good and a precursor to moving over in April.

Back to Ciara
Ciara is already taking over our life and dictating what we can and can't do and when we can do it. Since she needs regular naps and is tired by 8pm and in bed we pretty much have to home by then. There is also the matter of regular feeding about 6 or 7 times a day, which is more of a chore for Ang than it is for me, but it means we have to carry enough food and supplies (nappies) for longer than we anticpate being out, in case we are delayed or I get talked into another beer :). It does seem to be a bit of work, but each day it is all worthwhile, Especially in the morning when I go get her from her cott and she has a huge smile just me or the same smile i get from making stupid noises for her, or even just getting in the front door after work.

Today we will be going to my mums'house for dinner, usual thursday outing, and Ciara will get a bath instead of her nightly showers with me, since our apartment only a double size shower and no bath.

Will be back in soon.