OUT FOR LUNCH

On the weekend we drove to Everton Park on the north side of Brisbane to visit Sonya and family. Most of the way is on the freeway and through a tunnel under the city. I can find my way without Google Maps now.  I do all the driving since Bill's last trip to hospital over a year ago. After we said hello to the dog and checked out Bernie's latest renovation of Sonya's office we went out for lunch. We went to a different restaurant. It was full of young people and we had to wait a little while for a table. After lunch we returned to Sonya's house where Bernie made us a delicious coffee. After a long chat we started for home. I still needed the Google Maps to get home. It is so good having them live in Brisbane now. The good news is that Carol is coming from Melbourne on Friday to work and spend the weekend with us. It was good timing because Sunday is Father's Day.

Father and son look a likes.

Banjo Looks like Sonya and Fox looks like Bernie. We love them to bits.

SPRINGTIME DINNER

 We have a residents dinner every two months. Sometimes we have a theme to dress for. This dinner was a Spring theme as we are nearly there and the weather is already here. This dinner was a bit special because our usual chef was unavailable so the Catering Students from Rochedale High School, who usually serve  us and help in the kitchen, actually cooked for us as well this month. They are supervised by their teachers.

We thank the students individually before they go home after cleaning up. They are fantastic kids.

As I have mentioned before we pick a number out of a container to find out which table we are at. We were lucky to sit with a friendly lot of residents that we knew well. Its a good system as everyone gets to know new residents. We have had a few in the last month. Unfortunately they take the place of those who had to move on to full-time care facilities. Our village is quite small compared to other retirement villages. We have 123 homes where as others have up to 400 or more. We are so glad we moved here 9 years ago.

A student and supervisor at work.

We had lamb shank or a chicken dish. For dessert we had Sticky Date Pudding or Cheese Cake.

There were 90 guests.

KEEPING UP WITH THE GREEN MACHINE.

 I took Bill for a scoot on one of the routes that my morning walk buddies take. It was hard keeping up with him until he realised and slowed down. 

We passed the magnolia tree in the village gardens.

Off we go through Priest Gully. Can you see him disappearing down the track on the right?

However, he wasn't sure of the way so he had to slow down and wait for me when he came to an intersection of paths.

After 2k we turned around and headed home. 

When we reached our road I said okay you can speed off and make me a cup of tea when you get home.

Off he goes down the footpath/sidewalk towards home.

Turning into the village complex. He loves his green machine. (I was exhausted from trying to keep up)

SWITZERLAND'S NATIONAL DAY IS ON AUGUST 1

Switzerland is 735 years old (Traditional Founding – 1291): Switzerland traces its origins back to the beginning of August 1291, when the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden signed the Federal Charter (Bundesbrief) to pledge mutual defence. This alliance forms the basis for Swiss National Day (celebrated annually on August 1st).

Our daughter, Sonya, invited us to celebrate Swiss National Day at her home. So we dressed in Swiss jackets and shirts and with a bottle of Kirsch we set off for the northern suburbs of Brisbane.

 Our SIL, Bernie cooked us a traditional Swiss Cheese Fondu, where you dip a piece of bread on a long fork into melted cheese and then pop it in your mouth.

Bernie likes to add other foods to dip, like roasted potato and blanched broccoli. He also provided chunks of apple and pear,

Grandson Fox joined us but Banjo had been invited to a friends house. He was a little disappointed to be missing out on Fondu.

BLOOMING WATTLE

During our morning walks we have noticed that the Wattle is blooming everywhere. In gardens, in the forest and in the streets the bright yellow balls of Wattle are bursting out and decorating the Acacia trees. There are many different varieties but all are green and gold. Some people suffer from asthma when the yellow balls appear with loads of pollen. The Wattle is Australia's national emblem and the green and gold are our national sporting colours.

This tree is just outside my study window. I took the photo early this morning when I returned from our walk. 

The flower on this tree has a long flower but still has tiny balls too.

This one is in our village garden.

THE BEST WEEKEND

The family from Melbourne came to visit and family in Brisbane came too except for son in law Bernie who is filming in Malaya at the moment in a show called 'Survivor'. Carol and David came to visit David's parents and siblings and us too.

We had a great weekend. We had a special lunch on Sunday. A Swiss Raclette where you grill cheese on potatoes on a table grill. We added all sorts of food on top of the grill. It was fun and delicious.

After lunch we all went for a walk in the forest which is right next to our village. Silly blogger put all the photos in reverse order.

The oldies

Sonya ,David ,Bill and me.

Helping Bill navigate the special entrance to the forest.

The raclette grill

Enjoying a Raclette lunch.

Preparing lunch. 

Banjo and Fox are getting tall. Banjo is 14 and fox is 16 and learning to drive. He has a job in a restaurant after school and on weekends. 

PROUD MEMORIES FROM 1990

 Our girls went to high school at John Paul College a local school. It was a private Christian college. In 1990 Carol had finished school and was at University but Sonya was in Year 11 at JPC. Both girls had followed in their father's footsteps and played the trumpet. They had both been in the school concert band and marching band. Marching Bands were not popular in Australian schools but the music teacher at JPC decided to form a marching band at JPC. The school invited Canadian Marching Bands to visit JPC and coach the teachers and children in marching band techniques. 

In 1990 JPC Marching Band was invited to the Calgary Stampede and the International Marching Band competition in Calgary. The children organised all kinds of fund raising activities to raise $500,000 the cost of getting 200 children to Canada and Disneyland in LA.

Sonya is on the right.

After months of practice and fund raising they were on their way.

Carol farewelling her sister at the airport.

The students almost filled the 747. (Sonya second row on the right) They had 15 hours to travel to LA and then more to Calgary. The students were billeted by Canadian families. They had to quickly adjust to the time difference and be ready for an 8km march through Calgary. The flag girls came first and the band came second.

Sonya left.

They performed in a concert and later in the International Marching Band Competition.

We couldn't believe the news that John Paul College had won the competition against Canadian and American teams. (Blue and red uniforms)

On the ay home they were invited to March at Disneyland and the Spruce Goose.

There was a huge welcome home crowd at the airport with banners and balloons. The captains of the band held their trophies high as they emerged from customs.

Carol congratulated her sister.

Bill, Grandma and I were all very proud.