Having survived Perth’s hottest Christmas interval on document, in a home with out aircon, we all know we will 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 got 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 anyplace, though we’ve got once more had a yr making good use of our caravan, travelling extra regionally 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 children. Chris so kindly provided his professional cricket teaching to each our boys, which kick-started their cricket season again house. After Darwin and surrounds, we wound our approach 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 averted 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 shifting nearer to the excessive faculties, however have determined to remain in our rental in Mount Hawthorn as it’s so handy to the first college and there’s an amazing 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), trying and appearing extra like an grownup day-after-day. She has taken her gown model to the following degree, at all times trying fabulous. She is midway by way of highschool and getting higher research habits and outcomes to indicate for it. She was ecstatic about getting an A in English, together with distinctive outcomes throughout most topics. The yr culminated along with her crew successful the prize for the perfect main challenge by which they recreated a TV present. Though not sports-crazy like her brothers, she nonetheless performed a season of netball (to assist her pal), continued her weekly judo classes (now an orange belt), and has lately began going to the gymnasium along 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 acquired the highest maths award for his cohort of 120+ children, in addition to the tear-jerking Anzac Spirit award for “persistence, onerous work, and that never-give-up angle”. 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 crew 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 yr.
Casper completed yr 4 this yr, with a superb instructor, and a tremendous report card. He’s loving his cricket and apparently bowls like a younger Brett Lee. He performed outside soccer for the primary time final winter. He was a champion utilizing his velocity working 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 together with his buddies from outside 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 yr, a lot to his aid. He was additionally accepted into the music program subsequent yr, so we shall be listening to the flute performed round the home. Along with his ardour for artwork, Casper is a good 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 in a position to 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 outdated 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 attributable to a covid lockdown, we lastly had an enormous occasion with many buddies and relations. She has settled in effectively and is joyful 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 will make it over there quickly to go to her (and Leanne in fact).
We hope you and your loved ones have had an amazing yr and have stayed secure and wholesome, regardless of every part taking place round us. With the opportunity of journey on the horizon, we’re trying ahead to an thrilling 2022.
Clare, Rob, Olive, Jetson and Casper