Tue 01: Yes - today is the first day of Spring (in the southern hemisphere). Cold and wet. I am spending this weekend away from Perth - in Geraldton (5 hours north of Perth) to be exact. My friend, Ron, invited me up for the weekend. I did some research and it's a was a toss up between driving up and staying in a motel or going up in a motorhome - Ron is paying so I'll give him the choice.

Wed 02: It turns out I'll be driving up in my my ex-wife's car (a Kia Carnival) (with Ron paying for fuel) and staying at Ocean West holiday units. Ron's also paying for the accommodation as there isn't room at his Geraldton unit. Still no news on the baby front - Troy and I had an early dinner tonight, in case Amy goes into labour. On the work-front, a long day for me (9hr 32min). That probably makes up for yesterday's 7hr 03min shift! Perth really has the worse drivers in Australia. Fortunately, once again I bit my tongue (again!) instead of revealing my true identity to the world. Tracey gave me a haircut.

Thu 03: Finally, at 1.06pm baby Ada was born to Troy and Amy. Weighing in at 8¾ pounds, she looks like both of them and has a mop of black hair. How do I know this? My daughter, Tracey phoned and told me. Tonight - after work - Tracey showed me the photos of the happy couple with their daughter. That makes ME a grandfather. Papa Peter. I am 56 but I feel ancient. Nothing much else happened today - at least nothing to top that. Everything is on track for Tracey and I to head to Geraldton first thing Saturday morning - returning Sunday afternoon.

Fri 04: Perth's minimum of 3.1ºC felt very cold this morning, so my thermal underwear came out of the undies draw and were worn to work. I didn't wear my work cap this morning and I was asked by a few curious passengers: "Who cut your hair?" When I informed them it was my 26yo daughter, a couple asked if she was still alive, others asked why did she hate me? Actually the haircut (a number 4 comb) is not too bad (and in 3 weeks it will probably look okay). In future, I will only let Julie (my ex-wife) cut my hair. A l-o-n-g day at work (from 0630 to 2030, with a 30 minute lunch break). In family news, Ian has been admitted to hospital for a knee reconstruction; Amy and baby Ada are doing well in hospital too.

Sat 05: The Geraldton Expedition begins. Tracey wasn't able to access her medication until 0830 today, so our planned 0600 departure was delayed. Not to worry - the weather was intermittent heavy showers so we took our time. Arrived in Geraldton around 1500 hours and unpacked and showered, before meeting up with Ron (a long-time friend), Peta (, JRon's former girlfriend and Edge's mother), Jett (Peta's cousin) and Edge (Ron's 7yo son) - plus Peta's mum (whose name escapes me, sorry about that). We went shopping (briefly) at Coles and Target, then went to dinner at the Freemasons Hotel. A great meal - better than anything I have had in Perth! A good night's sleep tonight.

Sun 06: Up at 0750, showered and then off for a 1km trip to Ron and Peta's house. Ron paid me what he owed me and we headed off for breakfast. A couple of SMSes later and we returned briefly to get a couple of items which Ron forgot to pack. Finally - at 1030 we were on our way back to Perth. Arrived Perth without incident around 1530. Dropped Ron off, then returned Julie and Dave's Kia and retrieved my Toyota Camry. Home to catch up on my email and Diary update.

Mon 07: Life is strange - it's amazing what two days off work (and going away) can do to recharge one's battery. I felt quite good when my alarm went off and I headed off to work. Light rain this morning, heavy rain this evening. Good for the gardens and dams - but it made driving hard. On the home front: no news from Troy, Amy and Ada Montana. Ian is recovering well in hospital.

Tue 08: It's 9.03pm (2103) local time as I update My Diary today. A strange sort of day. The weather was kind - warm and fine (but rain is on he way tomorrow). It was a tiring shift as all the runs (with one exception) were short interchange runs (betwen two bus/train stations). A quick nap and then lunch with mum. Ham and mustard sandwich followed by berry yoghurt and fresh strawberries. Time to iron a work shirt and go to bed.

Wed 09: Long and tiring day. Had a Nanna Nap during my break and caught upon my emails when I returned home from work. Early start tomorrow - so an early night is indicated.

Thu 10: Lots of news to report tonight. I wrote down the wrong shift and as a result I ended up at work 40 minutes early. No great loss - better to be early than late - so I spent the time reading the paper. Fortunately, I was able to phone Mum to advise her I wouldn't be in at 10am, more like 12 noon. I took Mum down to the local Shell self-serve to fill her car and she bought me lunch. My lunch break was cut short as TC Rob asked me to do some VOT (Voluntary Overtime). Quite well paid, is the VOT, so I went back to work early. The afternoon went quite smothly for me, but not so a few other drivers - one of the articulated ('bendy') buses jack-knifed and locked up - requiring the services of a mechanic. Another bus broke down just as I was finishing my shift - so I volunteered for VOT - to take the passengers into Perth city. I also managed to unlock a friend's mobile phone for them. Quite a productive day. To cap it all off, our side fence was snapped off at ground level by Perth's strong winds. Fortunately, the damage will be covered by insurance.

Fri 11: Rain, rain and more rain today. I am soooo over this rain. I know the gardens and the farmers need the rain and I am pleased to report that lots of local lakes look much better - but I wish it would rain from midnight to dawn, or like tropical areas in short bursts from 2.30pm (1430) daily. I don't start work tomorrow until 4pm (1600) so I did my washing when I got home.

Sat 12: Thank you to the person 'up there' for listening. It was fine and sunny in Perth today. I know it won't last - but it was a welcome respite! I got to sleep in for once - as I didn't start work until 4pm (1600). Made myself a nice roll for dinner. Troy's half-brother (Peter) stayed over and made me lunch. A quiet day at work - probably because I spend 90% of my shift doing Scarborough Beach runs and it was quite cool outside. Tracey came over and made my bed for me (after I did the washing) and also a nice chicken stir-fry, so I was able to have a quick nibble at 1.30am (0130) and a comfortable bed to sleep in when I came home.

Sun 13: Another sleep-in - how decadent. I didn't get out of bed until 10.30am (1030). Cereal and fruit for breakfast then chatted with Tracey, who emptied the dishwasher and did the dishes. It's the little things like that which I really appreciate. Off to work - quiet first half - then I managed to drop into number 5 and score lunch with Mum, Ian and Brian. Ian looks really well for a man who has just returned from a week in hospital after having major surgery. Mum made me lunch and I even scored a home-made cheese scone which was superb. I even suggested to Mum she puts some in to next year's Perth Royal Show. Troy made a nice dinner for both of us.

Mon 14: It's been a while since I have had a heart-stopping moment - but I have had 2 in the last 2 days and I hope they are the last for a while. Yesterday a young boy ran onto the road in front of my bus. Today, a car with 3 passengers and a (green) P-plate (probationary) driver turned across the path of the bus without looking. If I had been at the intersection a second later, there would have been a fatal accident. I hope things don't come in 3s. If you wonder why I am wearing brown underwear lately - now you know! Apart from that - the weather was kind - another fine day. Brother Brian has decided he does not want to go to the Royal Show. Tracey and I are now going to have to sit down and decide if we want to go.

Tue 15: Things DO happen in 3s (sometimes). My first bus this morning was unavailable as the McAnnics hadn't finished fixing it. The second bus had faulty headlights and tail-lights and other assorted faults. Finally, I received a nice bus - which ran well. Lunch at number 5 and a nice sleep - followed by homemade vegetable soup. A routine second half then home for leftovers for dinner. On a lighter note, Marcus is dead. So is Patrick Swayze.

Wed 16: You win some, you lose some. That's life. 'Swings and roundabouts' is the saying which comes to my mind. I received a bill from DHL, one of the world's biggest international freight companies for a delivery they made from China's Davis Micro (a large Chinese electronics company). Usually goods do not attract Customs duty, but my latest purchase did. On the home front - sunshine mostly today - nice and warm. Troy went back to work after his 2 weeks off. I am planning my week off in March next year. I would like to go to Bali or Vietnam; my Thai friend, Wit wants to see New Zealand.

Thu 17: Phew! What a day. The morning was pleasant. Lunch was nice (the food and the company). The afternoon - that was another story. Road rage. Rude passengers. So many people are still alive because bus drivers are not allowed to carry guns! Hopefully a good sleep tonight and the world will be a better place. Tomorrow is another day - and guess what ... I have the weekend off.

Fri 18: Yes - I did feel a bit better today. The downside was I worked an extra hour this morning and didn't get a nap at lunchtime. The upside - I finished on time, met up with Ron and had a Nandos (chicken) dinner with him at Beechboro before coming home to unwind.

Sat 19: Day off. A truly relaxing day today. Up at 0800 for a shower then off to the Post Office to collect a parcel and then into Woolies (Woolworths) to do some shopping. Put the shopping away, had breakfast and then Troy, Ron and I visited electrical discount stores (Harvey Norman, JB HiFi and the Good Guys) looking at flat-screen LCD TV sets. JB HiFi was the cheapest and we bought a system from them. Back home to set it up. A late dinner and then Ron and I went out for the evening.

Sun 20: Day off. Two consecutive days off - how decadent, how relaxing. I took Ron home (after he stayed over last night) put my washing away (when it was dry), put fresh sheets and pillowcases on my bed, defrosted the (big) freezer and made dinner for Troy and myself. It's 1720 (5.20pm) now and shortly I will iron this coming week's workshirts so I am as organised as possible for the coming week. Putting the TV together (attaching the base) was a non-event as Sony neglected to put screws in the box (not happy, Sony!). Don't even ask about the assembly of the TV stand. I didn't even have time to check my Lotto coupon from last night's draw - hopefully Ian will do that for me tomorrow - in the meantime, I will dream the Lotto dream (one Powerball and ...).

Mon 21: Quite an eventful day today. I left my (work) jacket home, thinking that as it was 14ºC at 0600, it would be a nice day. Wrong! Perth was the coldest capital city in Australia today with 17ºC. Even Canberra's maximum was 21ºC. Plus - I had an old Renault bus for 8½ hours. No air-conditioning, no demister/heating. Troy was sick today and went to the doctor, but managed to get the necessary screws to join the stand to our new TV. I received a phone call from DHL - who agreed to waive the Customs fee. I didn't get around to getting my Lotto coupon checked today - I could be a millionaire - but on the law of averages - not. Ron flew from Perth to Brisbane to start a new job. Tracey and I haven't decided yet whether to go to this year's Royal Show or not.

Tue 22: They say a week can be a long time in politics, but trust me - a lot can happen to a person in 24 hours! Fortunately, I am not talking about me - but a friend of mine called Ron. Ron left Perth for Brisbane lunchtime yesterday. Everything went pear-shaped today. I had a feeling Ron would be back in Perth within a month - but I never expected so much disaster for him. Me - I had a reasonable day - cool this morning and a lovely afternoon. Home by 1630. Troy was home about 30 minutes later. We tidied the house and rearranged some furniture before Troy made us both dinner.

Wed 23: This coming weekend is a long weekend (when WA celebrates the Queen's birthday). It's also the start of school holidays (2 weeks off school for the little darlings) and also the start of Perth's Royal Show. I am still undecided whether or not to attend the Show - I would like to go. It's been 10 years at least since I last went. I think maybe next year. I caught up with Ron (see yesterday's entry) by phone and told him he has 2 options. One - sell what he has and stay in Brisbane for a while or sell what he has and come back to Perth (but factor in the cost of an airfare). Work today was very tiring - a complex shift. I am working this Saturday (9hr 50min) and at this stage I have Sunday and Monday (public holiday) off.

Thu 24: Not a lot of news to report today. Pleasant morning - around 14ºC on my drive to work. Just a bit of drizzle. Rob swapped my AM shift on Saturday with a late shift. A short morning, then a nice nap and back to work. Just arrived at work and realised I had left my mobile phone at number 5. Fortunately, Rex gave me my bus with a few minutes to spare, so I was able to collect it. Just as well, otherwise I would have had to make a special trip after work. Chicken shiskebabs and chicken rissoles for dinner.

Fri 24: Apologies to everybody who waited for their daily fix of my life. I finished work around 1540 (3.40pm) and drove home. Received a phone call from Ron - he will be arriving back in Perth around 2200 (10pm) tomorrow. Very tired - so I did my washing and hung it on the line. Troy arrived home around 1700 (5pm). We had an early dinner and I went to bed to sleep.

Sat 26: What a horrible day! I woke around 0530 (5.30am) and couldn't get back to sleep, so I read for a while. Troy told me the Foxtel installer had arrived - so 'don't be alarmed at the sound of drilling and a man walking around in our roof space.' Sleep is for wimps! Ha! NOT. I miss my sleep. I got out of bed, had some cereal for breakfast and swept the floors. Troy mopped the floors after me. Goodbye dust bunnies. Then - while I was relaxing, I noticed that my start time for work today was ... in 45 minutes time! Quick shower (no shave), ironed a work shirt, raced off to work. A hectic shift - made more stressful by numerous rock throwing incidents and drunken teenagers. Today is the first day of the long weekend and also the first day of the school holidays in WA, which run for 2 weeks. It's also the first warm and sunny weekend for a long time. Just when I thought enough was enough - I collided with a large rock which someone rolled onto the road just in front of me ... goodbye to the front right tyre and rim. I am alive - but badly shaken. Fortunately, it was close to home and Troy came and changed the tyre for me.

Sun 27: Another horrible day - but not as bad as yesterday. I didn't get much sleep last night as I was too stressed. Tracey was due to visit at 0900 (9am) but didn't arrive until 1800 (6pm). I did some more washing and washed and polished both cars - then had chest pains and had to take medication and lay down. Troy mowed the lawns (finishing the job Dale did yesterday) while I did some light weeding. The front right tyre of the Toyota only had 12psi, so Troy took it to our local Caltex service station to be topped up. Looks like the Toyota will be off the road on Tuesday - while it gets 1 new rim and gets the slow leak in the spare repaired.

Mon 28: Queens's birthday public holiday (WA). A more restful day today. Awake and out of bed around 0830, had cereal for breakfast and then got stuck into the weeding again, while Troy mowed the lawns and did some work on the reticulation system. Off to Bunnings (a large hardware warehouse chain) for a few odds and ends, then chicken and salad for lunch. We called it a day around 1430 and took it easy. Troy helping Amy with baby Ada while I watched TV and surfed the internet. Around 1630 we all had a nap. Woke refreshed around 1930. Troy went out and I updated My Diary™ and took it easy. I start work around lunchtime each day this week, so I will have to organise my own lunches.

Tue 29: Troy went to work before me for once as I didn't start work until 11.30am today. I managed a nice sleep in, checked my email, had a shower and shave, then the man arrived to replace the side fence which blew down in the storm a couple of weeks ago. Off to the local tyre repair shop to get another rim and see if they can save my Toyota's tyre. The slow leak in the spare was easily fixed by an eagle-eyed apprentice - who spotted the leak, caused by previous sloppy tyre-fitting. I will pick up another rim tomorrow. Wrk went well - but considering we are almost half way through spring - it's still very cold in Perth - around 10ºC for most of the day. My daughter Tracey made some amends by bringing me lunch - a nice homemade roast beef and horseradish roll and a couple of bananas. troy made dinner - fish and salad.

Wed 30: End of the month, end of Q3 - fine and pleasant (weather and customers). The side fence is now reaired - but at the cost to some of the plants on both sides of the fence (ours and our neighbours) and also part of our reticulation. Hopefully it will be repaired by the weekend. I hoped to make the time to do my BAS tonight, but it's now 2230 (10.30pm) and I can't be bothered. It can wait until the weekend. I did get a quote from SGIO and RAC for contents insurance. Both have their good points. I'll discuss it with Troy and start from this weekend.