Science & Rainbow Kites

I proved it is possible to fly a kite off the balcony. At least in Melbourne.

Amongst my treasured possessions which were lugged halfway around the globe is a compact, but amazingly aerodynamic rainbow-coloured kite my dad bought me as present. This occurred at the same time he purchased a gift for Andrew of one of those the planes that runs by pumping air into it.

I never was really successful flying my kite in New York, and Andrew never really found a clear open space to fly that plane. But since they've chopped all the trees down in the back garden, Andrew has, with the help of various nieces, nephews and friends, successfully flown the plane, lost it, lost the tail, found the tail, and flown it again. So it was obviously time to try the kite out, to prove it could be done.

Yesterday, neither the attempt from the balcony by myself nor in the back garden with Andrew saw the kite lift off very well. But this morning the wind picked up again, so off I went, venturing about a metre from the back doors on the balcony, and after a few ploops, the kite finally caught a good wind. Up and away, very high. Um, very high. Over the roof, and way up above the front garden. Andrew missed this, but he didn't miss me coming back into the house explaining that I'd lost my kite. Well, it was not so much lost as posing as a giant, rainbow-coloured decoration at the top of huge gum tree right up near the road, multi-coloured dangling tail and all. It did come loose after much prayer and pulling.

At least it didn't and in the road, or on a car, or in the neighbour's yard across the street. We do say it is never too late to have a happy childhood, but I still would have felt a bit awkward explaining that one. At least they understood the science involved.

Post Holiday Holiday Bash

We had one last holiday get-together this week - we usually get together with our neighbours, Clem & Gina, over Chistmas week, but family commitments on both sides, and the opportunity for them to spend time at the beach with their son & his partner, we put it off until now. Our neighbour from across the street, Kay, joined us as well, which is always delightful.

Gina & Clem are of Italian extraction, so that mean wonderful hospitality and good food. So, after the last visit, I'd determined that we would not eat a big supper tonight. Well, after beer and wine and Gina's pizza, next time I am not going to eat all day before we visit! I barely have the energy to breathe at this point. But it was fun. And I now am in possession of some homemade pizza for lunches over the next few days.

Now that I've had the last holiday bash, I can put the New Year's resolutions into play. Diet, exercise, and breathing...

Post Holiday Post

Happy New Year from the KLog. We had a very busy Christmas week, running the African and Singaporean contingent all over Melbourne until their tackies (sneakers/running shoes) needed a rest.

Sean stayed with us whilst Russell, Belinda, Matthew & Lara stayed with Linda & Bernie. The week involved a hectic pace of sightseeing all over Melbourne, including ferry rides, sports arenas, shopping, movies, wineries, and a host of other things. Christmas Eve lunch was spent at the Cuckoo, a quaint German buffet/attraction in the mountains; Christmas day was spent at Adrian & Heidi's with Kaytons and Staceys galore, Boxing Day involved the sales, sightseeing and a BBQ at our house. I even had a go at making a gingerbread house.

After a rushed week of getting re-aquainted with relatives and sharing stories and stomach virus around the family, we spent New Year's Eve at Bernie & Linda's and then hustled and bustled Russell's clan off to the airport at 4:30 am. We tried to convince them to stay longer, but the airlines wouldn't cooperate. Anyway, it poured with beautiful rain New Year's Eve, so we didn't go outside for the fireworks, but we did get to enjoy a rainbow New Year's Day.

Andrew, Sean & I went on the Puffing Billy as well, a quaint steam engine which can be ridden for various trip lengths, including a dinner trip and a night trip. Andrew had the opportunity to do a short stint next to the engineer. And yes, those are MY feet hanging over the side of the train as we puff along. I love Australia.