THE WORST NEW YEAR'S EVE EVER

 As usual I joined my friends for a walk in the forest in the morning of 31 Dec. It was overcast and it had started to rain by the time we got to the picnic grounds. We sat in the weather shed for a while and contemplated whether we should push on or go home. Soon the rain eased and we continued our walk. I wasn't feeling the best and had a tummy ache so half way round our circuit, I took a short cut home.     

As the day progressed so did the pain. Our doctor's surgery was closed so Bill rang the night doctor, who said get an ambulance and go to hospital. So I spent New Year's Eve in the Emergency Department. After a CAT scan showed a bowel blockage due to scar tissue narrowing the small intestine I had a nasal gastro  tube stuck up my nose and down my throat and my stomach drained. In the early hours of 2021 I was admitted to a ward where they poured Gastrographin down the tube three times a day for three days but it did flush out the blockage. I was fed intravenously.

After five days I came home a bit worse for wear. Luckily the young ones were still visiting Brisbane from Sydney and they came to help out. Then Brisbane went into hard lockdown for three days because a cleaner from one of the quarantine hotels tested positive to Covid. All her contacts had to be tested and no cases in the community found before the restrictions were lifted. Luckily only her partner was infected.

 

But it was great being locked down with my daughter and son in law, who took over the kitchen.

I was on a soft diet and small portions but I managed some salmon and pasta.

Slowly, I am getting my strength back and the pain is subsiding. I'm now on a special diet to try to avoid it happening again. I can only eat soluble fibre and not insoluble fibre because it gets stuck in the narrow part. I used to eat a high fibre diet so its a change for my body to get used to. 

I'm starting to wonder what next NYE will bring. Last year I broke my ankle.

The kids have packed up and continued their road trip back to Sydney via different National Parks.

It was fabulous seeing them after eleven months.

AT LAST THE KIDS CAN VISIT

 After nearly 12 months we are able to have our kids visit from Sydney. Travel between states was stopped during the Covid outbreak in Australia, but after months of tough restrictions we have almost got it under control. So at last our daughter and son in law from Sydney were allowed to cross the border with a border pass saying they had been  out of greater Sydney for at least two weeks. So they decided to drive the 1000 km to Brisbane and holiday in rural towns and National Parks on the way for two weeks. 

It was so good to see them again. The first thing they did was wash their new car.

Then they took us out for lunch.

And bought me flowers

Then they took over the kitchen, we love that.

Next day a 10km run in the forest.

Christmas Eve Dinner together, which we thought would never happen.

Afterwards we opened presents with the Melbourne family via zoom in our lounge room.

The next day they left to visit David's parents for Christmas Day on the other side of Brisbane.

LIGHTING UP

 Every year we have a Lighting Up Night in December, where the residents turn on their Christmas lights and invite friends and family to walk around the village and enjoy the lights. Afterwards, they are invited to have drinks together in the community centre and be entertained with Christmas Carols from the Elements Singers. Let me take you for a walk around our village at night.

We even joined in and lit up our unit.

The community centre.

I know that videographer

TENNIS LADIES DAY OUT

At the end of the year our tennis group have a day out together on public transport so that we can all be together and chat on the way and have a drink with lunch. This year we met at South Bank and had coffee. After coffee we walked to the ferry station and caught a City Cat to North Shore about an hours ride on the boat towards the mouth of the Brisbane River. I have a new phone and all the photos were taken with it. Still learning everything it can do. 

Walking to the ferry station. Past players are also invited to come.

We waited here for a few minutes. It was a dull day and threatening to rain our usual summer rains.

Here comes the City Cat

Some of the Cats are painted with Brisbane sport's team colours. This one is the Brisbane Bullets Basketball Team.

After we leave the South Bank Parklands we go across to the CBD. (Down Town)

There are many bridges across the river connecting northern  and southern suburbs. This one is our icon, the Story Bridge.

We have left the city and heading for the North Shore, stopping on the way at various suburbs. We spent a relaxing hour on the boat together.

We sat outside the restaurant in the shade but it was quite humid but it didn't rain.

After a lovely day and lunch and plenty of chatter it was time to make our way home by boat, bus and car. We passed the many riverside restaurants in the city. It is great not to be overly worried about the virus as we have eliminated it from the community. We do have some cases in quarantine hotels where returning Australians from overseas must stay for two weeks.

Under some of the many bridges in the River City.

This is one of the pedestrian bridges going from the South Bank Parklands to the QUT University.

OPEN DAY GARAGE SALE

We had open day at the village and it coincided with garage sale day in the district. So we set up tables in the shade of some of the residents' caravans/motor homes. Some set up outside their garages. It was a good chance to get rid of stuff sitting in the garage for months/years. The CEO was pleased to see so many visitors in the village, some of whom were interested in looking at units that are for sale.

One of the entrances to the village looking out towards the main road.

Each street had a central stall but some residents sold direct from their garage. We gathered together in the middle of our street. Bill is doing a good job at selling our trash as someone else's treasure.

Coffee time. We needed the shade because the temperature was in the 30'sC

Our CEO/owner bought a bike.

Bruce and Coral deliver coffee to stall holders.

Coral also drives Beryl around to see the stalls because Beryl, a very active gardener, has a sore leg.

Some of the residents manned the BBQ and sold drinks and sausages.

We had the Coffee Truck and Japanese Food truck visit and the Local Radio Station

It was a fun day and now we have more room in our garage.

CARIBBEAN DINNER NIGHT

Our monthly dinner had a Caribbean theme this time. Many of the residents got into the swing and wore brightly coloured outfits. The High School catering students, who usually serve us were not able to come this month because it is the end of the school year in OZ and the students have their exams. So the dinner committee organised a captain for each table who helped the staff to serve. The CEO also helped cook while the chef was our guest speaker instead.

The menu: 

Salmon with Coconut & Lemon Myrtle with Cajun Spiced Cauliflower Wings and Chickpea, Orange ,Tomato &Fennel Warm Salad 

OR 

Jerk Chicken with Couscous and Gremolata, Grilled Lime with Avocado, Mango, Pineapple and Mint Salsa and Cajun Spiced Cauliflower Wings 

Dessert : Pineapple and Lime Cake with Pina Colada Ice-Cream, Coconut Foam and Fruit Coulis

The videographer at work and residents getting cocktails from the bar.

Nanette decorates the cocktails

Friends enjoy a cocktail

One of the resident's son plays dinner music for us.

All seated

The ladies having fun

Our table