Feb 2011 a

The main street of Tully, QLD,
devastated by cat 5 cyclone Yasi

Wed 26 Jan 2011
Today Steve finished a course lasting 8 work days. The course was on Cisco switching and routing. His colleagues were very happy to have him back at work again the next day.

Wed 02 Feb 2011
This morning to our distress, we learn of a vast category 5 cyclone bearing down on the north Queensland coast. Cat 5 is as fast and furious as a cyclone gets - it's a monster! The size of the storm is almost continental! 

A day later, after closely watching the news reports, it seems the cyclone has rapidly downgraded over land into a category 1 - hurray! But not before it trashed the little coastal town Tully. Incidentally, a close buddy of ours went to school in Tully, so we hope her old school friends are all OK.

Fri 04 Feb 2011
Last night we created lamingtons; Steve made a couple dozen of his gourment white choc and raspberry muffins. They're all for the Aussie disaster relief fundraiser at Jen's workplace today. By the end of the day we'd actually raised just over $200 Aussie bucks! (and gained a few 'pounds' - pun intended!)

Jen's boss Sally created the little mini-pavlovas at the front of the table - nice one!

 

 

Sat-Sun 05-06 Feb 20011
We spent the day indoors. Steve's sick with a nasty stuffed up headcold, and Jen focussed on practise calligraphy. Here's the result of her efforts - a work still in progress (right)....

Tues 08 Feb 2011
Steve took Jen to out for dinner and to see the film Tangled. Good fun flick, made Jen feel all girly and naive... for a short while at least.

Sat 12 Feb 2011
Woohoo! A care package of twisties, cherry ripes & wizz fizz arrived today!

Early afternoon we hopped on the tube. Not your usual adults-only exhibits: today we spent 4 hours visiting the Imperial War Museum. We saw the Crimes against humanity room and the Holocaust exhibition. Standing before the door, a child asked: "Daddy why can't we go in there?" Had a thought - isn't it weird this museum's such a popular day out for families?

Can't help but think "ride of the valkyries" looking at this pic.

Steve roars at the crowd below (OK, so he was yawning)

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Fri 11 Feb 2011
Steve cooked Jen a yummy dinner of thick juicy steak with oven roasted potatoes and salad on the side. Yay Steve!

Sun 13 Feb 2011
This morning Jen got started on relief carving Steve's new shield. Here's a photo of the current shield (right), and you can see why there's a new one on the way.

Kris and Jana

Tonight we enjoyed Kris Buckle's 2nd last gig in London (at the World's End, Camden) before he and wife Jana move to Perth.

Mon 14 Feb 2011
Steve cooked Jen a lovely dinner of Stir-fry beef and chinese veggies. Happy valentines.
After dinner, Jen finished the carving on Steve's new shield (left). Happy Steve.


Wed 16 Feb 2011
Jen has finished painting the front of the new shield - the back is a small project for later on.