On the 28th of January the following was in one of my replies:
Right now, here too it’s raining a lot: Temperature is still around 20C though. Yesterday, before the rain started, Monika came along with all of her four grandchildren (my great-grandchildren!) and we went for a walk with them to the playground at the back near the grassy soccer fields and near all the beautiful trees. The kids were full of beans. It was cloudy and not very hot.
I think last Tuesday, we had about 40C. This would not have been a good day to take the kids on such a walk.
Strangely enough, yesterday, we were the only people roaming about, walking along the footpath, then across all these grassy areas, and having fun at the playground. Very strange indeed. We had the whole place to ourselves! So, isn’t that lucky, that we had such a good time before the rain started?
From next week Lucas, 8, and Alexander, 6, are going to be back at school again.
Lucas and Alexander are the cousins of Carter, 4, and Evie (16 months). The two little ones just love to be with their ‘big’ cousins, and the older cousins love to look after the little ones!
It reminds me of my early childhood when I was so very fond of my older cousins.
Evie is already a good walker and also tries to talk a lot!
You can find my reply here: https://oosterman.wordpress.com/2021/01/28/the-mattock/
I also said:
My son, Martin, shares his dog, Millie, with his neighbour on a permanent basis. By the way, I am in luck, Martin is planning to visit me! He wants to leave Benalla on Sunday. I hope he can stay for at least a week, and I hope, that the borders wont close again. Martin is probably bringing Millie along again. I am looking forward to that!
Martin did actually come to visit! He arrived here in Dapto last Sunday, the 31st of January. Today he and Millie left early in the morning to go back to their home in Benalla. However, I am in luck again: Martin is going to be back here in about four weeks, with Millie of course! So this is then in March and they might stay for a bit over a week. And then I’ll go with them for a visit to Benalla. I am very much looking forward to that! The reason why Martin is coming here again, is, that we are invited to a wedding on Saturday, the 13th of March, that is, one of my granddaughters is getting married! Peter wanted to go to that wedding too. But alas, he could not stay alive for that long anymore. Rest in peace, dear husband. We’ll be thinking of you!
AuntyUta 
Glad that your son Martin visited you. I am hoping to see one of my grandsons this Sunday with his mother, my daughter Natasha. Now that the grandsons are getting bigger they often have , I suppose, more interesting agendas than visiting ‘granddad’, specially at weekends. I don’t mind that as I think it is all part of growing up and becoming independent.
It is always nice to go to weddings. I am sure you will meet again a lot of your family, dear Uta.
Oh yes, Gerard, the whole family is already preparing for the big day! But of course we’re going to miss Peter. Please say ‘hello’ to Natasha and your grandson. I can’t believe that it is already more than a year that I saw them on the day of the funeral of your dear Helvi.
Have a great weekend!. Love, Uta 🙂