HAS THIS HAPPENED TO YOU?

GREAT NEWS! Our Pug can go over 1,000 km on a tankful of diesel!

So, what are we doing parked on the side of a freeway???? In fact the F3 freeway from Newcastle to Sydney?

And who's that walking towards the car? Yep, you guessed it - none other than GK! Carrying? Yep, carrying a can if diesel fuel.

So, have you got the pieces put together now? We did manage 1,017 km from Nerang on the Qld Gold Coast to Sydney... but we really wanted to do 1,020 km if we were to reach the servo at Wahroonga.

What happened next? GK had to trudge off to nearest service station, buy a can, fill it with diesel and walk back to the Pug (being looked after by Fay.) That exercise took an hour.

To rush the end of the story - car wouldn't start - phoned Peugeot Assist - bloke came with more fuel and showed us how to "prime" the engine! Off we went (with his 10 litres of free fuel) for home via Mortdale.

What a great car! Thanks to Peugeot Assist for getting us back on the road.

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Didja ever run outa fuel? Yeah, I've done it a few times I think. Fay would know how many times. What were your circumstances?

OFF TO GOLD COAST

On Tues we drove from home to Mortdale to drop stuff off that Deb (#1 daughter) wanted and catch up with the new kid on the block and the other men in the house. We had the quickest trip we'd ever had to Mortdale - usually takes two and a half hours. The lights were just very kind to us. Ave speed: 84 for the 196 km. Fuel consumption - 5.9

Then on Wednesday we went through to Newcastle to visit Peta (#2 daughter) and Jon. The first hour was the slowest on record and there certainly was a heap of traffic considering we left at 2:20 pm from Mortdale. Ave speed: 71 for the 165 km. Fuel consumption - 5.8

Heading north from Newcastle at 7:30 am on Thursday was a good decision. Fay actually got the fuel consumption down to 5.0 but then road works stuffed things around and also knocked the average speed heaps. When the roadworks are completed it'll certainly make a huge difference (if that EVER happens.) Ave speed: 79 for the 619 km. Fuel consumption - 5.2 (amazing!)

Sorry... I must confess I took it a bit easier today (Friday) when I could see that there was a chance of getting less than 5.0 L/100 km. Mostly freeway driving and didn't have the likes of Kempsey and Coffs to drive through like yesterday.

Ave speed: 86 for the 103 km. Fuel consumption - 4.8 (incredible!)

Those people who are old enough (that cuts out Kerrie, Peta and some others) could marvel (as I have done) at the MILES PER GALLON figures. We used to try hard to get 30 mpg out of the Holdens back in the 60s. For the 4 trips, it worked out at 48 mpg, 49 mpg, 54 mpg and 59 mpg.

A brilliant car is the 2 Litre turbo diesel Pug. Plenty of get up and go, comfortable to travel in and as you can see is easy on the fuel. We could certainly do 1,000 km on a tank if need be.

Sorry Kerrie.

BUSY WEEK

"Now listen Bro! There's a few things I need to tell you seeing you're new round here!"

Wow! I have this cool aunt who gave Connor this MEGAmonkey. Don't know why Mum and Dad just shook their heads when they saw it. I thought it was really neat! I've been having some trouble dragging Herbert, that's his name, round the house.

Nan looks pretty good when she holds the little bloke. You can tell she's done this before today.

This could be the start of a great friendship!

Jon and Peta tried Connor for size. Not a bad fit really.

Even the latest newlyweds, Jem and Julia, checked out the new addition. They thought he was a pretty good model too.

Deb used to talk about her three men; she's gonna have to get used to referring to her FOUR men! These 2 little blokes just love the "new kid on the block".

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Deb is looking great..... pictures of her later. Meanwhile, Nan and Fa have to head home Monday. Our support role for now comes to a close after the 2 oldest boys go to occasional care tomorrow morning. Connor will be 1 week old tomorrow! It's been a very special time here in Sydney.

CONNOR BAILEY

This little bloke finally arrived.... and so did some photos (courtesy of Brendan and Deb's camera).

A thrilled Nan - makes it three generations.

So, is he (Owen) giving thanks before the meal?

No, I don't think so. I think he's out for the count. No... this certainly isn't Connor.

It's great when kids can amuse themselves isn't it?

Owen loves books...

Here, Nan reads to Logan and Owen. What a neat grandmother!!

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Connor Bailey McLaughlin was born on 31 May 2010 at 2:10 pm (Monday). Brother to the 2 fellas above.
He weighed 4.82 kg (10 lb 10 oz I think)
He's 57 cm long when you stretch him out.
He's neat but I've only seen him with his eyes shut so far.
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He's staying a night or two extra in hospital as he was breathing a bit quickly I think they said. Deb and Bren are pretty glad this little bloke has arrived to join B O L and D (BOLD). There was some talk he shoulda been William giving them BOWLD!
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Children are a gift from the Lord!! Indeed they are. Fay and I are in town to support them at this stage.