Newell Family website: Christmas 2024

Newell Christmas Blog 2024

Christmas 2024

Christmas brings our cherished time to celebrate our many connections with friends and family throughout the world, as Bob and I have been able to do through our Christmas cards for the 56 years we have been married. We especially want to share our gratitude for yet another year of peace, comfort and many joys. We very aware that much of the world is troubled by and coping within increasing climatic, political, economic, and social chaos. This, as well as our increasing challenges of living with ageing bodies and minds and decreasing energy makes each day much more precious to us as we consciously work to accept the increasing uncertainty of the future.

Thank you for enriching our lives in so many ways.

First, a quick family update:

Bob and I have happily lived on Bribie Island for over 20 years. As you will see from the blog, we have decided our travelling days are over as we have been very fortunate to have been able to have quality time in many parts of the world over the years, and have decided that it is now time to enjoy our remaining days closer to home.

Craig, now 49, is happily living in downtown Toronto, Canada, on the 17th floor of an apartment building and enjoying a very simple lifestyle with his partner Karen that seems to suit them very well. One of his pet projects is to get his light plane pilots license - a much more complex goal these days than it was when his uncle Alan Davidson flew many years ago in Calgary.

Janet, now 44, is just completing her 6th year in St Arnaud's New Zealand where she is enjoying working as a Biodiversity Ranger for their Department of Conservation.

And Zac, our 29 year old neurodiverse friend and boarder who has lived with us now for over a year and a half has become a valued, if very quiet, member of our family. He lives very independently, and regularly plays recorder, flute - and ping pong- with Joyce and enthusiastically joins us on walks in nature, sharing his keen eye and love of little creatures.

December 2023

This month was marked by the loss of Joyce's much-loved electric bicycle (which had travelled over 15,000 km, a fair bit on beaches) when it was stolen from where it was parked locked next to an inner-city church - and the purchase of a very similar, but in much better condition, replacement under our insurance policy.

Joyce's old bike that was stolen

Joyce's new bike

Another addition to our 'family' was with a combined Xmas present - a folding two-person kayak that easily fits in the back of our car and can be easily carried by two (less easily but possible by one).

Our folding kayak (a Haven TT) made of 'plastic cardboard'

Joyce with kayak in our wagon

Took a while (15 min to half an hour) to get this far :-).

We did fly to New Zealand a week before Christmas to be with daughter Janet. We flew into Blenhiem at the north of the South Island where Janet was waiting in her car for a roundabout tour through the mountains back to her house in St Arnaud.

Earthquake beach elevated from under the water.

Into the mountains we went.

We enjoyed Christmas in the peace of the hut in the distance.

Then we continued into the gorge between ranges.

Finally out of the gorge.

January 2024

The first week of January we spent with Janet in St Arnaud (Nelson Lakes National Park) helping around the house and a bit of walking and kayaking.

Lake Rotoiti is within easy walking distance of Janet's home

Lake Rotoroa is the other major lake in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

On our return home to Australia we quickly resumed our often almost too busy lives.

Bob worked in the garage or at the Butterfly House (President 5%, Hydroponics 95%) along with playing golf (dawn 9-holes Mondays and Fridays) and enjoying a day out with Joyce and Zac on Thursdays taking Joyce about 80 km N to Bli Bli where Joyce and Zac play recorder with a group of 3-6 friends while Bob just enjoys a quiet day out, or helps our hostess Anna with odd jobs around the house.

Joyce is active in several groups on Bribie: laughing, yoga, a weekly meditation group, the Bribie Orchestra (with Zac), and a group at the Art Centre labyrinth. Over the year she has enjoyed frequent trips to Brisbane to sing in sessional choirs and Scratch choral events, and visit friends travelling mostly by train, and often with her bicycle. She also cycles 20 km up the ocean beach to camp overnight with the full moon weather permitting - a very special experience.

Sadly, the general busyness of life, plus decreasing energy has meant we have mostly stopped cycling with The Bribie BUG (Bicycle Users Group) which we have been active members of for many years. We both still use our e-bikes to cycle extensively on Bribie whenever we can and enjoy the many friends that we met through the group.

Water iris in backyard pool.

Butterfly House hydroponic benches to grow food for the hungry caterpillars.

May 2024

We had an enjoyable 3-day camping trip to Joyce’s friend Christine Currie on her property Mandala near Cunningham’s Gap exploring the surrounding country and their house built from two containers with added veranda with a view. We also explored their creek not far away.

Mandala's local creek.

July 2024

Janet made a quick visit from NZ close to her birthday and the three of us enjoyed a special trip to Binna Burra (mountains near NSW border) staying in a luxury unit. The first picture is sunrise from the bed in the main bedroom. We hiked and lazed and celebrated her birthday with dinner at their restaurant.

A view to wakeup to at sunrise.

Walking in the mixed rain and Eucalyptus forest.

Janet's not-so-little friend.

August 2024

Besides our wedding anniversary (56 yrs), Bob's birthday (81 yrs) and son's (Craig) birthday (49 yrs) the other notable event was Bob resigning as President of the Butterfly House after 8 years of volunteer service as bit-of-everything worker, treasurer, and president from the start of construction. He will continue constructing and commissioning the seven hydroponics benches (two months more). Meanwhile we have been at home catching up on maintenance and upgrades for the elderly (us :-)).

September 2024

A dentist caught up to Bob’s long time absence. Two molars were removed and two teeth had fillings upgraded. Chewing now has a somewhat reduced efficiency.

To add insult to injury the doctor diagnosed Dupuytren's disease in Bob’s right hand fingers 3 & 4. It seems there is no known cure. Surgery and drugs give a period of relief but the disease wins in the end. Bob's decided try one will be frequent massage and a degree of tolerance.

October 2024

Tax time again. Home processing with help from the taxation authority's MyTax app always leads to some success but with 3-4 days of hugely stressful labour. We are getting older and can do without this stress. Next year will be off to a tax agent – more expensive but at least tax deductible and largely stress free.

We had a welcome visit from one of Janet's New Zealand friends Robbie Thompson, who as a builder generously offered to do any small jobs we needed help with. After repairing our back yard pergola, and stabilising one of our rainwater tanks, Robbie suggested we should increase the safety of our stairs by adding another railing and non-slip safety tape. This has led to us thinking seriously about potential hazards in our bathroom - and adding a railing to the bath tub and a fold -down chair to the toilet. Joyce couldn't resist the artistic possibilities of these improvements - which certainly enrich our lives every day.

A second handrail to help us up-and-down.

The text reads 'Simplicity' - an important goal in our lives.

Another major event in October for Joyce was an exhibition of Ephemeral (not made to last) art in the Labyrinth in conjunction with the Bribie Nature Festival. This exhibition built on several other artworks that we had created in the Labyrinth over the past few months. The shiny veils which brought us much joy had to be taken down as their manufactured commercial glitter (which makes them so attractive) didn't fit the theme of the exhibition which was Nature and Art - but the large veil was replaced by our Celebration Tree.