January 2026

- RETURN TO HOMEPAGE-
Easing into 2026, James and Keno found there was little happening in St Antonin Noble Val as they chilled in the family French pad after Christmas 1st - unlike the calm in France, it was all go-go-go for Paulie and Stephen as they headed to Brisbane before their house purchase in Adelaide settled. The duo headed over the Blue Mountains towards Sydney en route to their pit stop in Woolgoolga (Woopi) .
2nd- James and Keno locked up the family pad, left € for the changeover, and headed back to their Oxford home Paulie & Stephen arrived in Woopi and headed to a dinner with Kirsten, Toni and the kids. Out of focus? Shouln't have had that 4th rose 3rd - waking up to new day Olivia and Cam out for a walk
4th - The duo made the 6 hour drive from Woopi to Noosaville in Queensland to see Jan & Jim 5th - And to relax. But... an emergency back in Woopi! Toni had an accident mountain biking 32km into state forest. So it was back to Woopi to keep an eye on the kids and help out. A quick pit stop Genevieve had hours of a long ride and was only one of two kids on the ride.
As the sun set further south 6th - The girls kept calm and busy whilst Kirsten spent time at the Coffs Harbour Hospital Where Toni spent three nights mending & getting a chest drain, before returning to Brisbane for orthopaedic surgery (clavicle repair) late afternoon at the Woopi beach
And early evening at the lovely Dunlop beach abode Chef Atherton dished up paella for the gals 7th - the kids spent time with Dad, Time for a Disney movie
8th - Genevieve shows Paulie her secret recipe A play with Fletch in the vacant block. Stephen being beaten in snakes and Ladders. 9th - the guys headed to Brisbane. Paulie had a dental appointment but brother Chris claimed he could do it better.
Paulie escaped Doctor Death Stephen was impressed with where his old canine pal's ashes were housed. Very spiritual 10th - time to catch up with other family. Shari was at home before she headed to Austria to ski a few days later. Chris and Stephen did some garden maintenance cutting bamboo palm
11th - resting before work recommenced. Paulie had taken the 2 hour (50c) train to Eumundi to be with Jan and Jim in Noosaville given the last visit was cut short Another overcrowded cane palm comes down And the boys fitted a new umbrella cover that Louise inspected and approved 12th - pal Owen was in Brisbane for a few days so the lads caught up for dinner. Denise videos in to say hi.
13th - The trio enjoyed the rive side cafe . In Adelaide's Rose Park (near Norwood) Olivia & Cam ran and performed with friends 14th - Stephen drove up to Noosaville to collect Paulie & spend a night
. A dutiful son, Stef, came to install a handrail into the pool 15th - back to the St Lucia Atherton's And the house purchase is getting real. The duo signed the paperwork to transfer funds to the Adelaide conveyancer.
Spending that much money had to be worth celebrating 17th - time to head the 2000+ km back to Adelaide. Passengers were buckled in 4 hours in they zipped past the hospital where Toni spent some days. We thought he would like the reminder :-)
First night in Taree 19th - In Victoria en route to Jon Outridge's 20th - whilst John and his pal John Goopy worked on the irrigation, Paulie and Stephen headed across the road. And then up
The 5km circuit around the hills was interesting There was even a snack half way And interesting beasts to chat to 20th - John G (aka Dr G) dressed up for an outing to Daylesford
Walking around the lake in the town, Paulie followed the directions of official signage. And the lads followed her lead Designated calm viewing area And after lunch in town, the guys visited Jon's neighbours to meet some Harlequin sheep. Paulie was transported back to her NZ sheep farming youth.
Jon took Paulie and Stephen on a study tour of his vineyard . After two nights at Jon's, the duo were back in Adelaide. They dropped in on Olivia and Cam for a glass of something before they went camping. 23rd - Settlement Day! The guys took possession of their new home. But they had to wait until the next day when their possessions were delivered.
The guys had a quick inspection outside... ....and inside Back at Olivia's apartment where the guys were staying, they toasted Olivia and Cam who were camping near the Murray River. Early in the morning, the relocation team arrived
24th - MOVIE - Two half size shipping containers. Stephen starts the move slowly Unpacking took weeks, but started straight away. Paulie was lost amongst the boxes .
Cam and Olivia had to abandon camping - it was just too hot. Stephen & Paulie suffered as well - the evaporative airconditioning wasn't working! The previous owner rarely serviced it it seemed. Fixed a few days later. 26th - Stephen put the warehouse shelves together to make storage easier. Things started to take shape. At night (the highest night temperature on record - 40 degree+) Stephen tried anything to get some cool air. Ice in an icebox, a metal pot to put a fan in. Worked a while until the ice melted and water flowed into the pot!
27th - Stephen walked to Olivia's flat early in the morning to collect his bike. The Adelaide Hills in the background. 28th - Pal Michael updated the guys on how the paving and work in their village was progressing . Also progressing was the water level after a week of rain. Despite a warning from the local council (Mairie), they escaped a flood
30th - the first BBQ at the new home . 31st - the unpacking was getting exhausting, so an escape to lunch at Grange Beach was in order. Windy! A nice way to end the month. More unpacking to come ....