The flu goes around

Hi guys.
I would first of all like to say that my watch was correct, and following that wind min mentioned there was rain and a front that passed through overnight! So there.
Well, quite a lot has happened since our last report. We keep meaning to update but for some reason our connection goes funny when we try. Fingers crossed for this one.

I managed to get Qantas to say that they would refund my flights as a result of the failure last month...still waiting to see the result in my bank account though!

Min's birthday on Thursday went well. We had the evening off together and wandered down the road to a nice Spanish tapas restaurant for dinner. It was nice walking around in the evening- following the 34 degree day! A cold change came through while we were eating our meal and when we walked home the footpath and brick walls were still hot from the heat of the day. You know that smell of rain on hot ashphelt?

Friday night we went and saw Kiwi band Fat Freddy's Drop play at the Palais (de Dance). They were great! Megan, Ruth, Beth and Drew came along too and everyone left with smiles.

I went to Soverign Hill in Ballarat with 14 disabled teenagers on Saturday. It was a challenging weekend- not helped by the onset of my flu meaning I had little energy and a very sore throat. They all seemed to have a good time. Some of the boys were great, and really nice to be with. The more difficult ones happened to be female- but luckily there were some experienced female leaders who dealt with most of the problems.
It is really hard to know where to draw the line with things like toilet stops, buying coke and choosing their meals when you are trying to help them be independant and act like a person of their age... There were problems with diet requirements and which vans they were allowed to travel in- petty little things in retrospect- but which were big hurdles to try and overcome at the time. We were glad that one girl didn't become partially paralyzed as a result of buying and swallowing a lollypop she wasn't allowed!!

Melinda helped organise the IGNITE international health photo exhibition which was held on Sunday night. It was a huge success. And I am sure she will want to write about it herself soon. She is out with Ross tonight after he popped in for dinner on his way to a local pub to see some live music.

Here is a picture of Okahu Bay, Mum and Dad's new yacht!!! I can't wait to come and take her for a spin in December!

love to all,
Joff