The cupboard under the stairs..........

Everyone has such a cupboard that is full of rubbish miscellaneous items which get added to and added to until it's a struggle to close the door.  I felt that this was the perfect project for John and in fact was the only project that I really had for him although he's managed to find a million more since he's been here!  When we talked about it I suggested we get one of those metal diy systems from the local hardware store but John insisted that they are very expensive and he could easily build me something much better.  He was not wrong.  I am beside myself!!!  Have you ever seen such beautiful cupboard storage?  I struggled putting things on it as I just wanted to admire it!  And notice the beautiful section for wine which was previously, literally, a hole in the wall.  

The kids had their first full week of school and it went fairly well.  Tess nearly missed her bus twice but is managing to keep up with her homework and she got into the top tennis team!  Tom tried out and got accepted into advanced board riding (i.e. surfing before school) which was his main aim for this term.  They are both doing an amazing job of keeping on top of all the different things they need to take to school each day and getting their bags ready the night before.  We're very proud of both of them.  

Although it may sound like all John and Rae do whilst they're here is large maintenance jobs around the house I can prove that we occasionally take the time out for a spot of lunch.  This was us enjoying a particularly good NZ pinot gris at Hugos.  We sent Jules a text to let him know we were missing him.  

Another day, another trip to Hugos!  Dinner this time with Stephen who was over from the UK and spent the weekend with us.  

Manly hosts an annual ocean swim called the Cole Classic.  Jules was on surf patrol that morning and was very busy rescuing people who couldn't quite make the distance.  

Whilst Jules was on patrol Tom did nippers followed by some messing around on his nipper board with his friend James.