Coloured Houses

Shepparton- home of ‘mooo-ving art’ and our friends Terri, Richard and 5 year old Jay. I originally met Terri about 15 years ago working at The Mosman Daily. She was the Editor, me the up and coming Advertising Exec. Being on opposite sides (advertising and editorial are traditional newspaper enemies) we never really formed a relationship. However, at various functions over the years, and a mutual friend being her sister- Nat, those ‘ice’ barriers have broken down. Terri and her husband Richard are both very interesting and indeed hospitable people (not like Editors at all............ hee hee, just had to get one dig in).
So, we found ourselves enjoying good food, wine and laughs until the wee hours. Mind you- this was all well deserved. Having arrived at the ‘White House’

Terri, Richard and Jay's home, Shepparton

(as their new home is known)- I was soon roped into the ‘bring a friend night’ at Boot Camp. I was keen (Dave not so), but it would be my first Boot Camp session since June this year- was I still fit??
The session was rejuvenating and a little different to the City style I am used too. We used the moving art cows as props

Mooving art, Shepparton

and then swam in a heated pool- mmm perhaps more civilised than the ocean at Balmoral.
After 2 nights, and enlightenments from Jay (Santa can hear you when you speak, so only say good things), it was time to move to ‘our apartment’ in Melbourne. We love this apartment (thanks Jo & Jamie) , well who wouldn’t, the bedroom alone is twice the size of our entire camper, and comes complete with a dreamy king size bed. I almost need to call for a taxi each morn to see if Dave is awake on his side of the bed.
After putting up the Christmas decorations (our little Xmas tree, and a few cards we have collected along the way), we set off for the local Farmers Markets. With a complete kitchen at our disposal, the cooking possibilities are endless, we were ready to stock the fridge! Alas, we are used to real Farmers Markets, located on a farm, with prices reflective of the 1930’s warm greetings received. We were now in Middle Park, where the focus is on ‘organic dahhh-ling’ the more expensive the more ‘genuine’. However, we did buy some yoghurt and an Apple & Rhubarb Crumble, before setting off for IGA.
St Kilda Markets and Acland Street better deserved our attention, and we managed to spend a penny or two on a few little items to put under our tree for each other. I am eagerly awaiting Santa to arrive down the real chimney here!
A visit to Melbourne is not complete without catching up with my relos. Our first port of call, was the ‘Purple House’. The ‘Purple House’ is multi toned shades of purple, and the new purchase of Cousin Natalie, Iain and 10 month old Oliver.

Oliver in his new house

They are mid renovations and as we arrived Iain was attempting to tame the garden (did he mention he has a new lawn mower....

'Iain now owns a lawnmower'

and Nat was attempting to assemble an Ikea Kitchen. Hopefully she does a better job than Iain, who put the back of a cupboard on back to front.... (too busy dreaming of his new lawn mower). I was impressed with Nat’s organisation (she produced beer and champagne for us), but we made our escape, before we were kitted out with tools and Ikea instructions.
Only 3 sleeps until Santa, I hope you have all being good boys and girls, and enjoy the Chrissy break!