BEN'S 80TH BIRTHDAY

 Ben and Bill migrated from Switzerland together in 1967. They planned to stay for the obligatory two years just to learn to speak English. However, the plan changed once they arrived and fell in love with Australia and the girls who became their soul partners. They have remained friends since then even though their lives led them to live in far away places. Bill and I lived in PNG for quite a few years and Ben and Lyn lived in NT for some time. Now Ben and Lyn live in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. Ben turned 80 last week and the celebration was held on last Sunday at Flaxton Gardens. So I had a two hour drive to Flaxton. I decided to book into a guesthouse nearby to stay overnight so not to be driving home late in the evening. It was a lovely celebration with a delicious lunch and set in a beautiful place. 

Lyn and Ben

Two old mates Bill and Ben 

Friends forever

Lunch was delicious, I had salmon and Bill had chicken. There were three long tables filled with relatives and friends. 

Ben and Lyn had three children, Natalie, Yolande and Jason. They all have children who have children so Ben has a big family. These three used to be playmates with our two girls when we all lived close together.

Flaxton Gardens was a beautiful venue with a stunning view. Bill and a friend, Ken.

The view.

The venue.

Bill crashed after the party in our guest house. We had a lounge, bed and bathroom with a garden view.

The next day was a long drive home but we had a good weekend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELEMENTS RETIREMENT LIVING

 Our retirement village turned sixteen years old this month. So we had a party dinner and it was free, put on by the owners. Lots of residents turned up and it was a Spanish theme with Spanish guitarists and Paella for dinner. Many residents turned up in Spanish dress and we had a nice time. The students were not able to come because it is their examinations time. So the staff served us.

My table. 

There were a lot of us there probably because it was free.

There was a video showing events over the last 16 years. Most of them were made by my Bill but he didn't come to the dinner to see his work.

FATHER'S DAY

Bill had the best Fathers' Day Weekend. Our daughter, Carol-Ann came from Melbourne and our other daughter, Sonya invited us for lunch. Carol's husband, David, was here too visiting his father, who had a fall and was in hospital. So we took advantage of having the whole family in Brisbane and went out for lunch at the Thai Orchid Restaurant.

Sonya and brother in law David deep in conversation with Fox anxiously waiting to go home.

Carol cooked us a breakfast loaf.

On Fathers' Day we were invited to Sonya's home for lunch. Bernie cooked for us.

It was a lovely weekend with most of the family together.

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.