Having survived Perth’s hottest Christmas interval on report, in a home with out aircon, we all know we will survive something. It was a loopy finish to a different loopy 12 months. Who would have thought we’d nonetheless be carrying masks, although we have now missed many of the lockdowns being protected by the WA border wall. You may think about we’re getting itchy ft as we’re unable to fly wherever, though we have now once more had a 12 months making good use of our caravan, travelling extra regionally round WA and elements of Australia.
Our main journey this 12 months was a few months exploring the Prime Finish, beginning with per week in Darwin staying with our beautiful associates and their children. Chris so kindly provided his skilled cricket teaching to each our boys, which kick-started their cricket season again dwelling. After Darwin and surrounds, we wound our method down the Stuart freeway. It was all unbelievable, 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 an inclination to do, having two in highschool subsequent 12 months. We had thought-about transferring nearer to the excessive faculties, however have determined to remain in our rental in Mount Hawthorn as it’s so handy to the first faculty and there’s a terrific little group round us.
Olive is almost as tall as her mum now (though Clare doesn’t wish to measure her to substantiate this), trying and appearing extra like an grownup on daily basis. She has taken her gown fashion to the subsequent degree, at all times trying fabulous. She is midway by way of highschool and getting higher examine habits and outcomes to indicate for it. She was ecstatic about getting an A in English, together with distinctive outcomes throughout most topics. The 12 months culminated together with her staff profitable the prize for the most effective main venture wherein 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 just lately began going to the gymnasium 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 12 months, graduating from 12 months 6 at Mount Hawthorn Major! We’re very proud to say that he obtained the highest maths award for his cohort of 120+ children, in addition to the tear-jerking Anzac Spirit award for “persistence, arduous 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 staff 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 School subsequent 12 months.
Casper completed 12 months 4 this 12 months, with a wonderful 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 velocity operating down the wings, the spotlight being his one and solely objective spectacularly scored within the final minute of the final recreation of the season for a draw! He has continued with indoor soccer which he performs along with his associates 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 tutorial problem) program for subsequent 12 months, a lot to his reduction. He was additionally accepted into the music program subsequent 12 months, 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 dwelling extra (till now) he has been capable of put in additional hours, which he enjoys. The spotlight of his 12 months was driving the van to Darwin solo to start out our journey within the Prime Finish. His new 12 months’s resolutions are to get fitter and more healthy, to cease the niggles of previous age which can be 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 Might, and after a false begin on account of a covid lockdown, we lastly had a giant celebration with many associates and kin. She has settled in nicely and is completely happy in her new dwelling at Juniper nursing dwelling. Rob’s mum in Melbourne has had a tough time totally on her personal in lockdown this 12 months, we hope we will make it over there quickly to go to her (and Leanne after all).
We hope you and your loved ones have had a terrific 12 months and have stayed secure and wholesome, regardless of all the things occurring round us. With the opportunity of journey on the horizon, we’re trying ahead to an thrilling 2022.
Clare, Rob, Olive, Jetson and Casper
