[pjmpjm]

Wonderful to hear that you're OK, Alessa. (Got your PM too.) Many of us have friends in Christchurch so we know how terrible and how scary earthquakes are.

Yes, thanks everyone, for the welcome back. My internet has been up for two hours now and I'm still keeping my fingers crossed. Because I haven't got the right modem router (delivery in 3-5 days) I still have no landline. But anyway, am happy so far.

Katy, I'll keep sending photos of my two grandchildren. Grandson is now officially taller than his father, my son! Yes, Christchurch is such a beautiful part of the world. I haven't been there since 1996 . . . the years have flown. But I've lucky enough to have been able to travel all over NZ and even spent a week camping on Stewart Island (the little known third island).

matina, I might PM you the gory details later. After my official complaint to the NBN, I've now lodged a similar (written) complaint with the head of iiNet, outlining my present option of abandoning the NBN (and iiNet) altogether and joining the Telstra Nighthawk MI mobil hotspot system (used by my friend Roger in Lithgow). Roger will visit in a few days and bring his mobile Nighthawk with him, and we'll test what speeds I can get in my location.

br bear, thanks again for keeping SMY going. I think I still managed to post a picture every day during my interest outage. So you know I really enjoy SMY!

John, lots of advertising here about the Winter Olympics. I think the Aussies are in with a chance in the some of the skiing and snowboarding events. Our hockey medals are won in the other version of the game, though (field hockey) and not on the ice!

Above photo shows my son and his entire family in the Waitomo Caves on the North Island of NZ, about 3-4 days ago. They have glowworms there too.

[johngriffen]

Pj... glad to hear that you have the internet again (knock on wood).
Thanks for the pics, and just glad you can post them
Ton's of Ads for the olympics here as well... no surprise

Alessa... glad to hear you are out of the zone so far. Stay safe.

Bear

Ice... losing power this time of year REALLY SUCKS. The last time we lost power in the winter for a long period of time, we burned some old wooden chairs in the fire place. We were desperate for firewood

Now for the ladies...
Tit for tat...



A drive in the suburbs



For matina...



For the men



The snow has started to fall here yet again...

[pjmpjm]

Hi, John . . . another copy of photos from my daughter-in-law . . . somewhere on the North Island of New Zealand . . . probably on the Tongariro Alpine Traverse . . .

matina and Katy, got up to nearly 26 degrees today . . . now down to below 22 . . . really just about perfect, as long as you didn't stand out in the sun. Autumn will come earlier here in the mountains . . . earlier than Sydney . . . maybe about the middle of March.

Still enjoying my internet connection and still knocking on wood . . .

[johngriffen]

It seems like your internet is holding on... keep knocking on wood

And you can keep posting pictures from New Zealand... simply beautiful.

[pjmpjm]

John, here's the view from the motel where my son's family are staying for three days. It's in Pohara, on the South Island.

Good night to matina and Katy and all the TFWBL regulars.

I am enjoying all your photos and traveling adventures!

[matina]

MORNING ALL! we are getting ready for our fortnightly physio appointment the last appointment for the week. mechanic coming around tomorrow to service the car. so i will be home bound.
last night was 28 degrees top of 38 today i'm betting it will reach 40 -41 they are always off the mark by 2 degrees too low i am so over this i cant take anymore!!!
SNOW PORN, MORE SNOW PORN, BRING IT ON!!!!

[kathlyn]

Good morning /evening all hello bear ice, and john I hope your ok and not too snowed in While Matina and I are melting again in the heat Matina look after yourself today bless Hi Pj I hope your still connected today You have a lovely family Your grandson certainly is as tall as his dad mine is only 11yrs old and he already stands at 5'3 As Matina says we are getting 36 to 38 today as well roll on winter enjoy your day or night everybody

[br195]

Evening ladies and all other regulars

we had snow for most the day today.... 20cm .... but at least it was the light and fluffy snow and not the heavy wet stuff Neighbour saved me time shoveling as he came by and did most of the driveway with his snow blower... no snow for a couple of day... some more to come on Friday/Saturday

[pjmpjm]

Another view just across the street from my Sublime Point house . . .

Good afternoon (Thursday) to matina and Katy and Alessa!

And hi to CharlieP90 as well. Glad you enjoy the pictures. More will be on the way. I try to post only one or two at a time.

matina, hope the physio appointment goes well. I have my weekly acupuncture session on Friday afternoon. Looks like it's going to be hot this weekend!

br bear, my brother in Maine got snow during his local Wednesday and was probably out plowing and sanding. Am waiting to hear from him.

Katy, temperatures just hit 29 degrees here and it's bright and sunny. Am still inside, with my AC set on 'eco' . . . very comfortable. Cosmo is sitting to my left and Rishi is lying in my lap purring (I've been teaching her to do this). Rishi is out in the back yard searching for bugs . . .

John, will include more sunny photos throughout the day, now that I have my internet back. Have spent a lot of time giving my ISP feedback and also made a formal complaint to the national NBN head office in Melbourne. A friend has suggested that I now lodge a formal submission with national Telecommunications Ombudsman's office. Will have to check how to do that.



View from the 'overbridge' that crosses the Great Western Highway at Leura, with the monthly 'Leura Markets' just visible in the far left background. I love walking over this bridge!

More photos from New Zealand later. Don't forget to check 'Show Me Yours' here at Mobilism . . . now run by br bear!

Hi to Ice and Stretton and booktopia, too . . .

[matina]

WINTER IS COMING! bloody thing cant get here fast enough for me!!!
time to nap in-front of the A/C bye all it is livid outside

[pjmpjm]

matina, Roger wants me to go on a walk tomorrow, but don't know if I'll take him up on it. Friday through Monday are supposed to be quite hot in western Sydney.



I'm still trying to work out what those red-topped trees are, across the street from my house. Someone told me it's 'Christmas Bush' but that seems to be the only place where it grows. Beyond is King's Tableland, which I've show in many of my photos. I can't quite get as good a view of this place from my upstairs living room windows. (The cockatoos sleep down in this valley at night.)

Katy, trust you'll stay cool. I might have to get out briefly this afternoon.

[johngriffen]

Pj... keep the sun porn coming. And file a complaint. You got screwed and it's time to get satisfaction

Bear... it stopped snowing here after about 4 inches. Most other places around here got more. While it didn't snow today, we have snow in the forecast for the next FIVE DAYS... ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Welcome to our silly adventures CharlieP90

Katy and matina... on request...
MORE SNOW PORN

Pj doing a walkabout



Bear shoveling a path to his door



Me going to the market.



Have to do the kilt thing...



matina and Katy out for a walk

[pjmpjm]

That's pretty funny, John. I can imagine that matina and Katy would love a nice walk in the snow, when it's about -20 degrees C!



Photo arrived from Maine this morning, showing where my brother was working on Tuesday (bare ground, due to a day of rain) before the latest snow storm. I visited this spot in July, when it was much sunnier and much warmer. Now everything is frozen solid again, with about 15 cm (6 inches) of snow . . .

[johngriffen]

While I'm sure the ladies enjoy the cold shots...
BRING ON THE SUN