Thursday 25 November 2010

So Much to See !!

Kim and I went for a drive today to check out some of the places we have not seen yet.

Originally planning to check out Kaseys new work place, we drove around Arcadia Vale and Wangi Wangi, me getting some great photos and both of us enjoying a Hamburger with the WORKS at Wangi in a beautiful park overlooking Lake Macquarie.   It was a massive hamburger but was well worth the paunchy stomach afterwards!   Buuurrrrrppp!  Whilst we were sitting there filling our faces, one of the kids playing in the water yelled out 'Stingray".   There was a stingray swimming close to the Lake shore!   I didn't think that something like that would come in so close to the shore or, even be seen in the lake!  

We keep pinching ourselves to think that we now live up here in such a great place where there is heaps to do and the distances are not too far to travel to get there and do it!

Kaseys 21st party went off without a hitch.   The girl who 'accidentally' ruined the surprise and her bitchy friend didnt show up at all after the disappointment they caused but hey; their loss!   It was wonderful to share it with old friends who came up from Wagga Wagga, Canberra and also some new friends from the Newie area!

Kasey also a new job now.   She has a Cert III Traineeship in Child Care at a centre in Arcadia Vale.   It is exactly what she has been looking for to get out of the Woolworths rut she found herself in.   It was advertised on Saturdays paper for interested persons to phone, she phoned and got an interview on Monday, trial on Tuesday.   She got the call on Tuesday arvo and started on Wednesday morning!   Wow, that was quick!   As soon as she found out on Tuesday arvo, she had a letter of resignation typed and handed it in about half an hour later to Woolies!

Lachlan is not moving out anymore.   The rental situation up here is a little ridiculous.   Landlords are asking nearly $400 per week for places that are little more than dumps in some cases, and there are so many people lining up to try and grab them.   Lachlan also did some sums on his budget and actually found that after he pays rent and all the other stuff that goes with being independant, he will not actually have very much left!   He has always wanted to travel and so with that in mind he is staying at home, where his dream of travelling the world can actually become a reality!

I have had a cuppla weeks off work which has been a good escape for a little while.   We have a rubbish pickup coming up in a week or so and I have to get all the rubble and stuff from our bathroom reno out onto the nature strip for the Council to pick up.   Once that is done, we will continue with the painting of the inside of the house which is the last of the big projects.   After that, we will have all the time in the world to enjoy the beach and the lake to our hearts content!

Kimbo has been a bit crook [poor darlin'] with a very bad sore throat and headaches.   Doc put her on antibiotics and they have kicked in now and she is much better.   Rhiannan has been working, partying and hangin out with her besty Anita!

The photo that is with this blog today is Kim at the wharf behind the Wangi Wangi Workers Club in Arcadia Vale.   We had such a fantastic day just exploring and enjoying beautiful Lake Macquarie!

Til Next time.....Take care everyone........

Lurv

Jordy

Lake Macquarie Panorama

4 photo panorama taken from Dobell Park at Wangi Wangi. We actually saw a sting ray swimming very near the waters edge. I was surprised because I wasnt aware that such sea creatures came into the lake so close to shore.

Wangi Wangi Panorama # 2

Looking along the shores of Lake Macquarie from Dobell Park at Wangi Wangi. Kim n I had the best hamburger for lunch in the park from the local take away shop. What a beautiful day.

Wangi Wangi Panorama

Here is a Panoramic shot of the Wharf behind the Wangi Wangi Workers Club on Lake Macquarie. 3 photos stitched together. There were lots of boats on the Lake today as you can see in the background. A lovely cool breeze was blowing across the lake which was great on a warm day!

Wangi Wangi


Wangi Wangi
Originally uploaded by Life with Jordy
This is the wharf behind the Wangi Wangi Workers Club on Lake Macquarie. Spoke to the Captain of this particular vessel who has a mooring on the Lake and it appears that he just moves around the Lake at his pleasure, living onboard. What a great life!

Sailing Lake Macquarie

Today was such a beautiful day on the Lake at Arcadia Vale ! A wonderful breeze enticed heaps of boats out and they were having a great time! Used a slight Sepia effect on this photo.

Friday 12 November 2010

Ettalong Beach Panorama

Taken from the Public Wharf off Ferry Road Ettalong Beach. File from RAW format original.

Wagstaffe Panorama


Wagstaffe Panorama
Originally uploaded by Life with Jordy
From the Ettalong Beach Public Wharf looking across Booker Bay to Wagstaffe. These villas look brilliant! A 3 exposure shot HDR produced with Photoshop Elements 8.

Booker Bay in HDR


Booker Bay in HDR
Originally uploaded by Life with Jordy
This is a 5 exposure shot HDR. Tip for HDR on boats....although it may not look like it at first ...boats move!!

Saturday 6 November 2010

Off to see the whales!!

I won a whale watching trip from Ettalong Beach thru a work raffle!  How cool is that?!   Kim and I are spending a cuppla nights at Terrigal on the Central Coast and off to visit our undersea mammalian cousins.  Camera battery charged up and waiting!   Hoping to make good the luck cycle, I have also just entered us in a comp thru Norton Computer Security to win a Holden Cruze - cross ya fingers!

We have all been well; a few minor health issues though - I have to have an xray on my shoulder.   I think I may have arthritis cos it plays up in wet cold weather but we will see.   Bloody annoying when trying to sleep though!

We had a huge garage sale a few weeks ago and managed to get rid of some of the bigger items that have been crowding the garage.   We still CANT get the car in there but we are gradually getting very close!   

Islington Rail Crossing
We have been having some great rain here but it only means that the grass is getting longer and I havent been able to get out to mow it!   The lawn is looking excellent and I only mentioned to Kim today that I am so glad we laid the turf and got rid of the scoria rocks and all of those shrubs that had been put in.   The ensuite has finally been finished and looks great.  We just have to finish painting inside now and then we can be 'people of leisure' - hahaha.

Lachlan is still looking for a house to rent with his mate David.   Getting a rental here is very difficult; some of them are run down and the landlords want a motza for them.   The boys want a house with a yard so they can entertain and have BBQs; a great Aussie tradition!   And Lachlan is getting to be quite a dab hand at cooking on one also.

Kasey will be 21 on the 15th Nov.   Mind you, she has had the key of the door for quite a few years now!

Islington Junction Box
Rhiannan is very excited about the tickets to a Linkin Park concert coming to Newcastle.   So many more entertainers come to here than what we saw in Wagga Wagga!

Kim and I went on a day trip to Dungog the other day [see previous photos] - God, it  is such lovely country out that way and there is plenty more to be seen!

I have put on some photos I took the other day when Kasey and I went out exploring.   It was an off the cuff trip but proves that sometimes, before going on a photo shoot, one needs to do some recon work to save on time!   These are the only 2 that I was really happy with, but it was a fun afternoon!

Until next time............




Jordy  

Catching up.

 Well it has been a couple of months since I posted a Blog article.   I don't have any Project or roll of film in particular to share wi...