scottie_b

... say where the heack have I been?

I know it has been a while (actually, a very long time), but I am alive and well.

The last six weeks have been hectic.
Shannyn has moved into Kerang, and it has been great to share the house with another person.

I spent a month away from umpiring because of work, helping Shannyn move up here and going to Melbourne for the footy.
Actually, the trip to the footy meant it was the first time I drove to the MCG and in the city. It was great.

I've had a bit of a sore knee following the grounds drying up following the rain we had earlier in winter, but I am managing the situation.

Speaking about umpiring, it was an interesting night at the AGM during the week. It's not the right place to mention what occurred, but it has left a sour taste.

I'm also spending the next five weeks up at Swan Hill acting as the editorial every Friday. I've spent one day there and it is a great experience.

The coming week is going to be good too. It's Shannyn's birthday on Tuesday, and our two-year anniversary on Thursday. I love you hunny xoxoxox

I hope life is going good for everyone.

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

For those observant bunnies out there, I am posting on a Saturday. I'm not umpiring today as I have to work.
It works out I will not be able to umpire for a month (hopefully that will be the maximum) - two of these are work-related because people are on holidays.

The other two weeks are due to a big change in my life.

I know I have not posted for a few weeks, but there has been a legitimate reason. Shannyn moved in last weekend.
I spent the weekend after the last post cleaning the place up and resting after umpiring a 233-point annihilation at Kerang.
That was both the scoreboard and the battle between the goal umpires.

Don't get me wrong - the guy I umpired with was good, but there were a few moments where close to 40 years of experience can sometimes come unstuck... especially current rules.

After completing the Cohuna layouts on Tuesday I rushed down to Shannyn's place for the big move.
It took us an extra day (thus the decision to not umpire last weekend... hear me stamping my foot down hunny) to pack and complete car shopping duties, but in the end mum helped us with transportation. Thanks mum.

That created some funny moments of its own. Rule number 38 of life: never jokingly pick on two women... one may decide to thump you on the head seven times with a light fist! Thanks mum.
I also had an unexpected train ride from Kerang to Pyramid on Sunday morning after the doors on the train closed as I was helping mum load her bags on. Thanks V/Line!

The last week has been spent unpacking, working three nights in a row and taking it easy. I hope you are enjoying Kerang hunny, I love you xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

It is a lovely Tuesday afternoon here in Kerang. The sun is out, we've had a month's worth of rain in the last nine days fall across the district and I am relaxing listening to Eskimo Joe's new album.

Actually, I'm pleased I'm relaxing. I have not been feeling too well, and I really should have spent the weekend home.
Already you've realised I didn't... and there was a great reason why - the annual umpires footy trip.

Before I left with the guys on Saturday night I umpired a beauty of a match at Macorna. Murrabit won by 10 points, but the weather (mainly the rain over the past week) played its role.
My new boots got their christening, and I am worried I may not get the clay off them.
In fact, the boss took pics of me trying to navigate the slush and they were published in today's paper.

I had an hour to do a few loads of muddy washing before leaving for the trip. It was a lovely trip to Melbourne, spent socialising with the guys.
When we arrived in the city we went out separate ways. The guys did their "blokey" things (which I do not agree with and I am now questioning if I will ever go on another trip if there are other like me not there), whilst I caught up with Shannyn.
We went and saw Angels and Demons, which was well worht it, before calling it a night.

The next day was spent at the football. A group of us went to the Hawthorn-Sydney game, which was a highly-entertaining encounter.
This was followed by what is becoming a footy trip institution - a dinner and show at Witches in Britches.
It was a hilarious show, good food and great company with Shannyn.

Monday was the day we left to go back to Kerang, but before we went a new tradition was created - a go-karting challenge.
I finished third out of the six guys (and third out of eight on the course), and recorded the second-fastest lap time.
There were a few spins, bumps and slides, but it was worth it!

The next week will be spent preparing for a very big change, but it is worth it hunny. I love you xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how has the last week treated you?

The last seven to eight days have been very hectic! Life has brought me very good news and new goals for the next fortnight.

It has also shown me there is nothing wrong with wanting to stay in the one workplace for the entirety of my career.

Anyway, last Thursday was the final night of the conference at Geelong. A few of us decided it would be good to spend our last night in the city on the town, and it was a great choice.
In fact, I lost $5 because of it. One of the women brought along a camera with her - one that has two flashes.
I was not prepared for the second flash with the first photo taken, and the photo turned out to be very bad.
Alas, I bet the woman $5 she would not put in on her final presentation on the Friday, and guess what she did?

The Friday was spent completing final presentations and saying our farewells, before the Kerang gang headed back home via Shannyn's workplace.
Just before I walked into where she worked there was very good news (it's not my place to explain, but it means the next two weeks will involve carloads and boxes).
That night was the Business Excellence Awards, and all I wanted to do was sleep following a long week.

The next day was umpiring at Moulamein, which was a high-quality encounter between the Swans and Macorna.
That night was the umpires karaoke night, and I had to sing because I helped organise the evening.
My song of choice was Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand (we were using Singstar) and I murdered the song! Thankfully there is no video evidence of this!

Sunday was a relaxing day involving lots of washing, yelling at the television and relaxing with Shannyn, who left on Monday afternoon.

The last few days have been busy, but I have noticed something with work. I think the course or my time here in Kerang at the job has changed me. I now go to events and people come up to me who I know and we talk about mundane by very important things.

Now I am ready for the weekend, and the annual umpires footy trip.
In fact, it will be an amalgamation of the 2007 trip (when I met Shannyn) and last year's trip.
I will explain all (or what I can) when I post next week.

Hunny, I love you. Can't wait to see you tomorrow night xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

I am writing this post in my room at the Deakin Management Centre, Geelong.

I've spent the last five days here completing my third-year post-graduate journalism course.

This will mark the end of possibly one of the busiest months that I will experience this year.

Many, many things have occurred since I last updated. I spent the week leading up to the course getting over the bug or cold I had (and no, it was or never was anything linked to Swine Flu).
Shannyn came up to Kerang on the Thursday for two night, which was a significant bonus. It enabled us to go out to dinner with Ben and Rachel, as well as look at house plans with them.

Saturday was a very, very busy day. I had to umpire at Hay, meaning I lost half a day to clear up umpiring material and finish organising things for the trip to Geelong.
The game I umpired was a beauty! Moulamein won by two goals, but it was a tense match.
I also umpired very, very well.

The last five days here at the course have been excellent, the food has been great (even too fancy for me), the coursework has been very, very relevant and the people are fantastic.

Now I look forward to another great weekend. Ben, Andrew and I will travel from Geelong to Bundoora tomorrow to pick Shannyn up prior to the business excellence awards.
Saturday I will be umpiring a very good game, then the karaoke night will be on again (hunny, fancy some Blink 182 again;-) ) and a relaxing day on Sunday.

Andrew just rang me, he wants someone to kick the footy with. So until later have fun everyone...

and hunny, I love you xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

What do you think is a good cure for the flu?
a) Days off work?
b) A good batch of soup?
c) Goal umpiring?
d) A close game of football on television?

If you said d, then you are correct.

The last three day of the week were very, very hectic. Add in the fact I was so busy I could not afford to take a day off work, and it made things worse.
In the end the May bug got the better of me, and i had to go home early Friday afternoon.

It actually put umpiring on Saturday in jeopardy, but I was in the end able to front up... but when you want a quiet game it never eventuates.
In the three years I have been here in Kerang I have not seen so many tough decisions, and I will admit I was not 100 per cent for the game. However, I did it in the end.

Sunday was finally a day off, and it created the cure for this bug.
Three hours riding an emotional rollercoaster (known as the Port-Richmond) does wonders for your health!
It was also a game when I saw what a get of jail card can look like... Warren Tredrea! What a game he played, and Pearcey played well too!

I was able to make it to work today, and I am now looking forward to next week's editorial course. There is also a bonus at the end of the course - I get to see my hunny xoxoxox
Soon, hunny, soon. I love you

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

Frankston: The views and opinions of people who hear this name vary, but for me it is the place where I grew up.

Last week I spent six days down there with mum and Darren, and I'll tell you all one thing - life is never boring there.

The drive down there last Wednesday was the first time I used the new freeway, and it was great!
The next six days were spent relaxing, catching up with friends and family, watching football and working on assignments.

Not too much news occurred on Thursday and Friday, but all the action occurred on Saturday.
That was the day when I watched two quarters of football at the Karingal football ground and went to the Port Adelaide - North Melbourne game.
This was also the first time my mum met Shannyn's mum, which was good - it also meant I was seeing Shannyn again.
The game was the perfect situation as Meryl is a North fan, whilst I'm a massive Port fan... and so is mum, but I'm more of a tragic.

I won't talk too much about the game, but we deserved to lose... by possibly three goals rather than five points. Alas, it made great viewing at the end (and on TV too, as we were seen a fair bit).
After the match mum and I went to the after-match function, and I will admit I was starstruck.
I have no problems interviewing politicians and sports stars, but stick me in a room with the players from my favourite football team and I cannot move.
I had Brett Ebert five metres from me, Matt Thomas next to mum, Troy Chaplain two metres away, Bob Carlile and David Rodan near me and I shook Danyle Pearce's hand - who is my favourite player.

Sunday was a relaxing day with mum, but I also visited Shannon, Juanita and Zander. It was good seeing them all again and hearing what is going on.
I also had a visit from dad, which was great.

I arrived back here yesterday, and now I have a four day week in front of me.

Hunny, thanks for an excellent night... and I cannot wait to see you in three weeks time xoxoxoxo

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

I've just experienced an excellent weekend, a cold week weather-wise and a busy week at work.

It all started last Tuesday with a four-day week. The boss had to go away for two days for personal reasons, meaning the team had to pick up the load.
Add in some wet and very cold conditions and it was an excellent four days.

Shannyn arrived here on Friday night for the first of a few hectic May weeekends for me.
I umpired out at Leitchville on Saturday as part of an interchange program.
It was funny umpiring somewhere I knew a lot of people because of work events.
It was also the first time I have undertaken an interchange program with umpires from a different organisation.

The goal umpire i was with gave me my first challenge in a number of years, in fact he was a veteran in the art of psyching out fellow umpires.
However, all I had to do was wait until the action came down my end in the second quarter. I think in the end he received an umpiring lesson from the wall technique.

We then went to Castlemaine following the game for a 21st birthday party.
It was great to catch up with the Rovers, see how they are going, fill in the gaps from a few major events that occurred at the end of 2006 and make plans for later in the year.
Having Shannyn there and hearing Port win made it even better.

We travelled back to Kerang on Sunday and caught up with a few friends. It was classic watching Shannyn's reaction with new pug pups.

Today was my first day at work for a two-day week, then I am off to Frankston for six days.

Hunny, thanks for the excellent weekend and perfect choice in accommodation. I love you xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

The weather is bitter up here in Kerang. I think it has struggled to get passed double figures during the last two days (it probably has passed it, but it feel very cold).

I'm currently on my "Sunday", although it is Monday.
Just to briefly explain Saturday was Anzac Day, which meant some journalists were needed to cover local commemoration services.
I was one of those lucky characters, which I knew was to occur, and to compensate this I've had yesterday and today off work.

Yesterday did not involve too much. I did a few things on the computer, walked down to the football to watch Kerang (it was also a study exercise, as it looks like I will be umpiring with the Central Murray umpires next week, and I have not been so keyed up for a game for a long time - i believe it will be a game to see where my umpiring skills are compared to other associations and teams) and visited friends.

Today was spent working on a few assignments and keeping warm (the best I can).

At least there's a four-day week awaiting me, Shannyn coming up at the weekend, a big game of footy and a 21st occurring two hours away. I love you hunny xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

Woah! What a weekend it has been.
It is great to know I have finished working a seven-day working week, but the computer situation claimed a casuality.
Yes, all of my documents were wiped, and now I don't want to see the computer again.
However, there is always a silver lining, with the last few days spent reworking on the files writtien.

With all of this going on there have been some other major concerns occurring in the social aspect of my life. It is very disturbing, but I will be there for all parties.

Shannyn arrived here on Friday night for the second taste of winter weekends in Kerang.
We went to Nullawil for their match with Moulamein, which on paper should have been a close affair. Nope, it wasn't.
The Maroons defeated last year's runners-up (Moula) by 101 points, but I put in a great last half performance.
We spent that night relaxing on the couch watching Hot Fuzz, a hilarious film, and absorbing Port's win over Hawthorn.

Today was a lazy day. We had visitors, my phone kept rinning and Melbourne defeated Richmond.

Now I am ready for a six-day working week, and the final footy-free weekend up here until the end of September.

Hunny, thanks for an excellent weekend. I love you xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

I have just experienced one of the weirdest Easters in my short life, especially all of the emotions surrounding the weekend.

My Easter break started on the Wednesday, as I had to work over the weekend.
I know that I have to work on five presentations before the end of May for a work conference, so I decided to spend the next three days working on these tasks.

I had succeeded in working on four and a third of them until the unthinkable happened... my computer cracked the sads!
The blue screen arrived, and by the time it was gone all of my documents (including songs, pics, umpiring materials and the three days of work) had gone!
Now, at this point I did not know whether to laugh, cry, scream, yell, throw stuff or smash the computer.
However, I came to realise if I could not find the documents I can still create them again. Yet it did make my mind up... Easter 2009 would be my first alone, and it was official!

How times and thoughts change!

Later that night I went to Ben and Rachel's to catch up with them.
I was only going to stay for an hour, but Rachel offered ice cream. So I decided to stay for a bit.
She went to get ice cream around the same time the train from Melbourne arrived, and then Shannyn rang (I was going to ring her later on that night).
Can you imagine my surprise when my phone rings and it's Shannyn... and 20 seconds later she walks into Ben and Rachel's loungeroom! It made my weekend. Thanks hunny, I love you so, so much xoxoxox

So, the weekend included covering the races (and the number of drunk people who want photos), a community event north of Kerang and time in the office.
It also included the first time Shannyn and I were in the same town for a Port Adelaide - Melbourne match. (I'm not going to say anything hunny).
We also caught up with a few umpires, before she left for Melbourne this morning.

Now I have four more days of work, before returning to the football field at the weekend.

I hope you all had a great Easter (and the computer is currently getting fixed).

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

I now have a bit more time to elaborate on what has been happening in my life during the last fortnight.

It all started two weeks ago when I had to work a seven-day week. It was a busy time, with an early start to cover a local show, other events and a intra-club match at Wandella.
Last weekend Shannyn came up here, and we went to Nullawil where I umpired a six-quarter game.
That meant I was able to get 10 quarters in my legs before the start of the season.

The next day we headed to Melbourne for my grandfather's 80th birthday party. The party allowed for Shannyn to meet some of my Adelaide relatives and to catch up with mum and Darren.

The last three days of the working week were busy, but I was also shocked by a decision made by higher management. I can understand why it was done, but it is still not easy to swallow.

Shannyn arrived here on Friday night in readiness for another busy weekend - the official start to the 2009 season.
I umpired out at Macorna, where last year's semi-finalists hosted Nullawil.
It was an entertaining and (eventually) free-flowing match, which Nulli won by 25 points.
There were some tough calls, tense moments and I put in a great performance.

Today was a not-so-good day. Port lost to West Coast in a shocking match, but there are more important things in life than footy sometimes.
All I will say is the following: We have lost a very good goal umpire due to events that have occurred in the pre-season. Here is not the time or place to explain, but I am not happy.

Hunny, thank you for a wonderful weekend. I love you very, very much xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

After more than six months of talking, speculation and assumption, tomorrow will be the day when actions will speak louder than words!

That's right! The opening round of the Golden Rivers Football League will start tomorrow, and I will be umpiring at Macorna when they play Nullawil.
This is one of the games of the round, and I am looking forward to it.

Shannyn will be up here to watch me, and we had an awesome time last weekend meeting more of my family.

Work's been hectic too, and I now have to go as I have some things to do.

I love you hunny xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

It has been a long and eventful few days up here in Kerang.
For those who do not know we have an alleged arsonist running around and lighting houses on fire.

This has, of course, made work here interesting as we have to chase up information and take photos of the fires in question.

It all started on Tuesday when a fire was reported near the Murray River to the north of the town.
Then later that night a house fire was reported at a property south of the town.
I did not know about any of this until 2.14am Wednesday (but the boss did).
How do I remember that time, I hear you ask? It was the time my mobile went off.
My boss wanted me to head eight kilometres north of the town to take photos of a house fire because another house fire was occurring 300 metres south.

Of course I went... it would be my first late night work call.
The next hour was spent watching this smouldering wreck, which was not cook.
I went to bed an hour later, but another fire occurred northeast of the town.

As I am working this weekend I had Thursday and Friday off, and another fire occurred on Friday morning at a house in town. It is now getting close.

This is also the first weekend since December that I am not seeing Shannyn (yes, there was February, but we met up at the station).
It has been a productive one so far, with a show, car ride, market and bowls covered.

Of course, this meant missing out on umpiring a practice match - which is something I need to do before the April 4 start of the season.

Hunny, I hope you are having a good weekend (it sounds like you have). I can't wait to see you on Friday night... I love you xoxoxoxo

So, I have another five days left of my working week. This involves a council meeting, interviews and clean-up before two days off.

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

I have something funny to say: It looks like I may not work a traditional five-day working week again until possibly the end of April or start of May.

Yes, I have to work another weekend, but at least I will have next weekend (and two days after that) away from work.

Speaking about weekends, I have just experienced an awesome two days in Melbourne with Shannyn.
It all started on Friday afternoon when I left for the city.
I had a nice tea of fish and chips with Shannyn before she went on a driving lesson.

Saturday was an awesome day and night. We went to visit my Aunt and Uncle, which was an excellent idea.
We spent a good few hours there, then enjoyed a nice trip to the city.
We went out for dinner at Sante, and once again I became full very quickly, then enjoyed a very good movie (which by the way, why is it I see movies that have journalists in it?).

Sunday was spent sleeping in, having a late breakfast and a nice, relaxing day before I headed back to Kerang.

Now I have a big week of work.

Hunny, thanks for an awesome weekend! I love you xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

Well, I am stuffed!
This has been a long weekend... a l-o-n-g w-e-e-k-e-n-d!

My weekend started on Wednesday with a long trip to Frankston.
The train ride is meant to take 3.5 hours, but it took an extra 70 minutes longer because of signal problems.
In fact, the ride was quite frustrating! I may have been sitting in first class, but spending more than four hours in a seat can be quite boring.

At least spending Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with mum and Darren was great. We did a bit of shopping and I did a fair bit of relaxing.

All weekends must come to an end, so on Friday night I travelled to Kerang with a bonus - Shannyn.
For the first time we spent a train ride to Kerang together, and it was a nice, relaxing ride.

I had to work on Saturday and Sunday, which meant a trip to Wedderburn via near Bridgewater on Saturday and three trips to Cohuna on Sunday.
Shannyn came along for the ride on Saturday, as well as two trips to Cohuna on the Sunday.
These included a visit to a cricket final and a auction fundraiser.
We left the venue with a number of goodies, and I clocked up a fair chunk of overtime.

Now I have to work four more days (I did work today) until the week ends - and I get to see Shannyn again.
Thanks for a wonderful weekend hun, I love you xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

I am a bit sore at the moment, but I am not sorry about how it occurred!

Once again the first weekend in March came along, which means Cohuna Bridge to Bridge time!

Before that I enjoyed a wonderful weekend.
It all started on Friday, which I had off from work because I worked on Sunday.
I spent the day relaxing and watching a few DVDs before picking Shannyn up.

Saturday was another relaxing day, spent visiting friends, going to another friend's place, watching the footy then spending the A-League Grand Final at home with Ben and Rachel.
It was good to watch a game with good friends and good food.

Then Sunday came, the annual 6.5 kilometre run challenge!
This year's weather was perfect; not too hot and no wind.
The weather and the earlier start to the footy pre-season meant I was able to run all of the course.
It also meant I was able to complete the event in 36 minutes and 55 seconds - 17 seconds faster than my previous best time.

The rest of the day was spent covering the event and then seeing Shannyn off for another week.
Hunny, thank you once again for a fantastic weekend. I know the days are getting closer until we are together every day. I love you xoxoxox

I now only have one more day left this week before I embark on a three-day break in Frankston.
Then it will be a return trip to Kerang with Shannyn for a long weekend of work and a seven-day week.

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

I am tired, very tired!
No, I have not had a late weekend, rather an early Sunday morning and an extremely busy Saturday.

It all started on Wednesday, when I went down to Frankston to see Darren for his 22nd birthday.
I met his girlfriend (Leah), and enjoyed vegging out with mum.
Unfortunately the train back to Kerang was 25 minutes late to returning to the town (which is becomming a common thing), but at least I could sleep in on Saturday.
There was a bonus, as Shannyn and her mum met me at the station. It was great to spend time with them before heading north again.

Hunny, I love you very, very much xoxoxox

I needed the rest too, because my first day of a six-day week was hectic!
I covered swimming, ski racing cricket (in two towns), tennis and lawn bowls.
I also headed to a small town an hour away to cover a family festival.
As a result I finished without a dinner break well past my finishing time.

Today was a bit better, despite the 8am start.
The focus for the day was cycling, golf and a junior cricket final.
I was also able to take pictures of three wickets falling, which was a buzz.

There was some fun after work, with Port playing Sydney in the opening round of the pre-season cup.
We won by 65 points, and we may have unearthed a few great players!

Now I have this week to focus on. It will be a shortened as I am working on Sunday, but I have council and a few things on.

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

You know what? It is nice to experience cool weather conditions again. After the two-week heat wave it felt like it would never happen again.

The last week has been hectic. I had a midnight finish, many tough articles and some fun challenges.

When stuff like this goes on it makes a special weekend even more important.

Shannyn arrived here on Friday afternoon - the day of our 18 month anniversary.
We relaxed that night, and also went to a drive-in movie event. This was also the first time I have been to a drive in.

Saturday was Valentine's Day, and I gave Shannyn some DVDs.
In return I was given some aftershave and evil monkey slippers.
We also put messages in the newspaper.

During the day we visited friends and went out for dinner, finishing the night with a DVD.

Today was even more relaxing. We went out for lunch, played with their cat and relaxed on the couch.

Now the next week awaits. Darren's birthday is Wednesday, so I will be seeing him. I also will be umpiring a six-day week after it.

Hunny, thanks for all of the fun that has just occurred. I love you xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B

Hey guys and girls,

how's it going?

Well, I am now another year older, no longer a Rover and concerned at the events of the weekend.

My odd week started on Wednesday when mum arrived up here. It meant I only had a few days left of being a Rover.
During these last three days our eyes were on the weather and organising the boot.
The temperature was meant to get up to 46 here in Kerang, and a bit cooler in Bendigo (44 degrees).
The concern was with the fire conditions (Premier Brumby described it as potentially the "worst day in the state's history"), but the event would proceed.

As for Saturday, the day will forever be remembered in two parts... before the last trip to the bin and after that.
The booting ceremony was excellent! To have many of the local Rovers, some of the guys from Melbourne, mum and Shannyn there was special.
My lasting memory will be the silver boot and seeing all eating lunch in a large circle.

Yet when I went to take the last load of rubbish out the day changed. I could smell smoke, and at that point three of the Rovers left quickly (they are CFA volunteers).
It worked out the Maiden Gully fire was 1.5km from the hall, and we had to go past it for dinner (mum had to pass it to go home).
We went to the pub, but the power was out. When we were there mum decided to leave and the change came, meaning the fire was now behind the pub and smoke was following us on our way to Meggsy's place.

It was there I realised how bad the situation was. Many fires across the state, 46.9 degrees in Kerang and many deaths.

That night the Rovers stayed as a group back at the hall and we chatted then had a good night's sleep.

The Sunday was my birthday, and to share it with some great mates, mum and Shannyn was very special.
Of course, with all of the road blocks it was fun and games getting out of Bendigo, but these things happen.

Mum left today, so now I have the place to myself... but at least Shannyn will be here on Friday.

Hunny, thank you for being there for the boot and my birthday. I love you so, so much xoxoxox

Until later
See ya
From Scottie B