MY VALENTINE

Today is Valentines Day.Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honouring a martyr named Valentine and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

 I have been with my Valentine for 58 years and I still love him heaps. Here are some photos of my Valentine over the years.

1968 making movies in PNG

Crocodile hunting in PNG

Mr Movie Maker

RSL Beer Garden Pt Moresby.

Otherwise engaged 

Returning to his homeland, Switzerland.

Becoming a dad in 1972

On top of the world on Lord Howe Island.

Visiting parents in Switzerland. Lake of Thun.

Loves his coffee

Loves cooking

Singing opera in Sydney's Opera House.

Always up for a laugh.

Another birthday.

But still my Valentine.

WE DID ENJOY AUSTRALIA DAY

Okay so it is ages since we celebrated Australia Day but I only just stumbled on the photos that I took of the celebrations we enjoyed in the Community Centre. We played games, sang Australian Songs, answered trivia questions and we had a sausage sizzle for lunch.

Ian, the Residents Committee Chairperson, opens the proceedings.

For my overseas visitors I need to tell you what this is called in Australia. It is a"thong".  We played a game called "Throwing the Thong". If you get it in the bucket you win a prize.

My neighbour Sue is having a go.

Some energetic ones played Tunnel Ball. Unfortunately I can't anymore due to back problems.

We played pin the tail on the kangaroo, which was painted by one of our talented ladies, Lynne.

The village singers led us in a variety of Australian songs.

Then we enjoyed barbecued sausages with onion and cheese, cooked by the Workshop guys. We sure did have a happy Australia Day

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

 On 26 January 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip raised the english flag in Sydney Cove, where he started a penal colony for English convicts. From those days through many hardships we have become a a great country. It does have its critics, mostly first nations people as some of them see that date as invasion day.

Our flag was made official in !901 when we also became the Commonwealth of Australia and ruled ourselves instead of being a colonies of Britain. The flag has the Union Jack to show that we belong to the British Commonwealth. The big star has seven points one for each of the 6 states and 1 for all the Australian Territories. The other stars make up constellation of The Southern Cross, only seen in the southern hemisphere. 

I migrated to Australia from England as a child in 1949. I have loved growing up here and I am a true blue Aussie. I have a certificate of citizenship to prove it. Over the years we have travelled all over the country and have been amazed at the diversity of landscapes and people.

Here are some of my memories:

FAMILY FUN

 While we hear that the northern hemisphere is having freezing weather we are having heatwaves in Queensland.

It is a bit hot for Bernie to be working on his house.

It is school summer holidays at the moment so Bernie, Sonya, Fox, Banjo and cousin Simon all went to Melbourne for a short holiday (vacation). Bernie, Simon, the boys and the dog drove down. It takes two days. Sonya had to work a bit longer and then she flew down to join them at Bernie's family's beach house at Rye on the Mornington Peninsula.

The night before they left for Melbourne there was a snake in their front entrance. There were no snake catchers available but 14 year old Fox said I'll catch it. He bravely picked it up with the help of a rake and dropped it in a bag his dad was holding. They took it to a park and let it go. It was a Python, they are not venomous but can give a nasty bite which usually gets infected from the bacteria on its fangs. 

While in Rye they caught up with Bernie's family. His sister , Margaret and brother in law, Jason have a nice boat.

Jason and Margaret having fun.

Sonya's cousin, Simon, from Switzerland is enjoying the Australian summer. He loves the beaches.

Bernie was happy to see his mother and she him.

It's good to see them all having a break from work and enjoying family.

PARTY TIME

 Our Managing  Director of the village, Chiou See and her staff and family organised a New Year's Eve and Anniversary Dinner. It was a Murder Mystery and Gatsby theme. The village has been operating for 14 years. We usually celebrate the anniversary in September but Chiou See and husband Brendan were away in South America on holidays. So on NYE we made a small effort at dressing up in Gatsby gear and went to the Community Centre for some fun.We met our maintenance man outside with his classic car popular in the Gatsby era. 

Bill's white braces wouldn't stay clipped onto his pants. So he has to hold up his pants.

Residents waited in the air conditioned Pool Room until we were allowed into the hall due to Brendan setting up the mystery murder scene and organising the volunteer resident actors.

The volunteer Bar Boys supply us with drinks before the play starts. Chio See and her family and friends cooked and served us. We had a grazing platter first followed by fish or chicken and for dessert, a delicious date pudding. (Ooops forgot to take photos.)

CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY 2024

We were lucky to celebrate Christmas with the whole family as well as a cousin from Switzerland. We celebrated on Christmas Eve like they do in Switzerland. The girls like this because they can go to their husbands' parents on Christmas day if possible. The young ones bought all the food and prepared it in our kitchen. We had a simple Aussie meal of prawns and Moreton Bay Bugs (a type of crayfish) with some ham, potato bake and different salads. For dessert we had Pavlova and/or Plum pudding with custard and fresh fruit.

All hands in the kitchen, Simon at left is a cousin from Switzerland, he came to Australia some years ago to be Fox and Banjo's live in carer (manny). He stayed for a year and Sonya was sad to see him go because he was good with the boys and did cleaning and some cooking. He has returned this year for a holiday. He is staying with Sonya and family. Once again keeping the house clean, cooking and helping Bernie with the house renovations.

Our Christmas Tree went past its 'use by date' and I wasn't keen to buy a new one so Carol decorated our fake bamboo. David and Carol flew from Melbourne to be with us for 11 days. She came early to drive me to the eye specialist because I wasn't to drive after they dilated my pupils. The result is I need cataract surgery in February and March. David's parents live in Brisbane too. Carol also organised a silly Secret Santa game. It was loads of fun.

Bill liked his present and nobody stole it from him (as the game goes).

Then it was time for the buffet.

Our wonderful daughters. Poor Carol has a damaged thumb from too much mousework. 

After dessert it was time to exchange presents. There was a pile of them under the tree (bamboo).

The boys gave out the gifts.

Fox lends Granddad a helping hand.

Fox likes his gift.

Simon loves the beach and was happy to get a beach towel.

Bernie likes entertaining and he was happy with a big grazing board.

Carol likes her new pyjamas.

Bill enjoyed my joke. He had six teeth removed recently and he is still waiting for false teeth so I gave him some teeth for Christmas. They were jelly lollies (candies).

It was a fun Christmas Eve. We hope you all had fun too.

Ooops! Forgot to add the little family photo.