Andrew | The Lattimore Acre

2009 Winter Nationals at Willowbank Raceway

I recently attended the Winter Nationals drag racing at Willowbank Raceway near Ipswich. Many thanks to Jun for the complimentary tickets. We went on the Saturday and saw several different classes including Top Doorslammer, Top Alcohol and of course Top Fuel. Al and Dad (George) went with me, and this was the first time that Dad had ever seen drag racing live. Well what an introduction. Sitting in the trackside cafe maybe 40m away from the start line, we nearly fell off our chairs in reaction to the sheer power (and that was just the noise from the burnouts). Suffice to say I ran to the fence to watch.

I recently attended the Winter Nationals drag racing at Willowbank Raceway near Ipswich. Many thanks to Jun for the complimentary tickets.

We went on the Saturday and saw several different classes including Top Doorslammer, Top Alcohol and of course Top Fuel.

Al and Dad (George) went with me, and this was the first time that Dad had ever seen drag racing live. Well what an introduction. Sitting in the trackside cafe maybe 40m away from the start line, we nearly fell off our chairs in reaction to the sheer power (and that was just the noise from the burnouts). Suffice to say I ran to the fence to watch.

I took a few snaps.

We were really impressed that the public can get up so close to the cars and crew in the pit areas. It is obviously a very friendly and open community.

The next round (actually the first round of the next season) is on again at Willowbank in August.

I look forward to it.

Uncle Al and Baby Hugo

Al and Hugo visited recently whilst Claire was off doing very important bridesmaid stuff. Little Hugo just chilled the whole time, he is a very relaxed baby (at least when we see him anyway). Benjamin was intrigued and progressively they became more interactive. I think it was great for them both (being cousins and all). Later on we gave Hugo the little red guitar. He held it quite naturally. Perhaps he will be a little rock star in the future.

Al and Hugo visited recently whilst Claire was off doing very important bridesmaid stuff.

Little Hugo just chilled the whole time, he is a very relaxed baby (at least when we see him anyway).

Benjamin was intrigued and progressively they became more

interactive. I think it was great for them both (being cousins and all).

Later on we gave Hugo the little red guitar. He held it quite naturally.

Perhaps he will be a little rock star in the future.

Swimmin’ Next Door

We have great neighbours. The Durringtons are very generous, and we have been lucky enough to swim in their pool from time to time. Since Ben has been doing swimming lessons, he has become quite comfortable in the water and especially likes have other kids around him.

No problems there as the Durrington kids are a great bunch and they love to play with Ben. Here you can see all three of them all around and even under Ben and I.

Charlotte was very proud to demonstrate how the “SubSkate” worked while Finlay tested his underwater skills and Ryan hid in the background using his new Ninja stealth skills.

We all had a great time.

No problems there as the Durrington kids are a great bunch and they love to play with Ben. Here you can see all three of them all around and even under Ben and I.

Charlotte was very proud to demonstrate how the “SubSkate” worked while Finlay tested his underwater skills and Ryan hid in the background using his new Ninja stealth skills.

We all had a great time.

The Abyss No More

Over the past year or so our spare room has been accumulating stuff. Not junk, but stuff we had not found a spot for, or were too lazy to put in. Well it got to the point that we could barely open the door let alone have a visitor sleep in the bed. We were calling it The Abyss.

Over the past year or so our spare room has been accumulating stuff. Not junk, but stuff we had not found a spot for, or were too lazy to put away. Most of it was excess clothes (too small) and toys (too young) that Benjamin has outgrown. Well it got to the point that we could barely open the door let alone have a visitor sleep in the bed.

We were calling it The Abyss.
$Our spare bedroom after much inattention. It\'s amazing how you can ignore a mess by closing the door.$ $Our spare bedroom after much inattention. It\'s amazing how you can ignore a mess by closing the door.$
We recently decided it was time to sort it out (actually Belinda mainly decided, as I find it amazingly easy to ignore mess by closing doors).
The Abyss is no more. Yay !

We will try to keep it this way (at least for a while).

Jetskiing at Chinchilla

$Mmmm Jet Ski, just like Uncle Phil\'s and Aunty Tam\'s. This one belongs to Aunty Tina and Uncle Cam. We are at the Chinchilla Weir, which thanks to recent rain is almost 100% full.$ We recently headed out to Chinchilla for Maggie’s 3rd birthday. When we arrived Cam, Tina, Tam, Phil, Tom and Maggie were out at the weir with the Jetskis. Ben took a immediate shine to his Aunty Tina who let him sit on the Jetskis. He also was allowed to wear his cousin Maggie’s pink sun glasses. He was in heaven!! Tam also got Belinda on the back on the Jetski. She promised not to tip her off! It was such a beautiful day – a nice change from all the hot weather we have been having.

Wheel of Brisbane at Southbank Parklands

We recently visited Southbank Parklands at Brisbane. It has been quite a while since we were last there and a lot has changed. As usual we parked in the underground levels and then took a casual stroll from one end to the other (heading towards the performing arts complex) following the arbour.

Ben walked along most of the way with Belinda, Grandma Karen and I. It was a bright and sunny day so we tried to encourage Ben to wear his hat and sunnies (didn’t last too long).

Ben soon discovered that if he held on to two sets of hands he could get lifted high into the air (great fun). Well as you can see he loved it (again and again and again). Not so sure this is great for his shoulders??!!

Of course we were intending to take a ride on the new (and temporary) Wheel of Brisbane.

The wheel is a large ferris wheel with fully enclosed and air conditioned capsules that lifts to nearly 60m. A surprisingly gentle ride, comfortable and a fantastic view. Belinda is not fond of heights, but found the ride quite enjoyable.

Ben was surprisingly quite initially. He just sat on my lap and took in the view.

Afterwards we followed the arbour back to the beach. The last time we took Ben to the beach at the Gold Coast he was not particularly interested. This time though he was intrigued !. Perhaps it was the lack of crashing waves and wind. We walked up and down in the edge of the water, past lots of people (and kids) enjoying the cool water. Ben chatted away, pointed to the kids splashing, jumped up down himself and generally had fun. I think our next visit to the real beach will be much better.

On the way back to the car we discovered one of the new attractions. Aquativity is a fantastic new water play area for kids but we didn’t have our togs. Oh well a great excuse to come back another day.