Many years ago, Bill and his friend Ben emigrated from Switzerland. After a while they went their own ways in Australia but met up again after they were both married to Aussie girls. We would visit each other regularly and play cards. The boys taught us Aussie girls to play their national card game called "Jass". It is a little similar to our card game called "500". Jass is played with a partner and after Lyn and I got the hang of how to play we used to challenge the boys. Needless to say we rarely won at first but gradually we managed to hone our skills and sometimes beat the Swiss boys at their own game. We were very proud.
Then Ben and Lyn moved to another part of Australia and we didn't see them for years. However, they have returned and we have continued to be friends and visit each other occasionally. This weekend they invited us to stay with them on the Gold Coast for the weekend. They are living in a tower overlooking the Broadwater. ( an estuary)
It was pretty watching the sun go down.
After dinner the cards came out and we had an enjoyable time. We were all happy with the result: Boys 2 ,Girls 2.
In the morning we saw the sun struggling to peep through the clouds.
After breakfast, Ben and Lyn took us for a walk along the waterfront which has been developed into a lovely park and play areas for young families. Lyn, Ben and Bill, still mates since teenage years.
The ocean is on the other side of the towers.
There are thousands of boats. This looks like a Whale Watching boat heading out.
We turned around and headed back after we reached the girl sitting on the hill. It is a wonderful huge statue of Maddie and her Teddy by sculptor John Cox.
All too soon our Jass weekend was over and it was time to drive home.
"Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men" I remember haha.
ReplyDeleteJudith Foster Hadlow
Yes we used to tease them about that.
DeleteThe car show would have been good to come across. The Maddie sculpture is brilliant. How nice to be friends for so many years.
ReplyDeleteOld friendships are always the best ones. I've never heard of either of the card games you mention. Would love to have seen all those MGs.
ReplyDeleteFriendship is very important part of our life... Love the vintage red cars.
ReplyDeleteNice post - old friends are worth their weight in gold - if not more.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Jass is a game I do not know, they play Belote here in France but it looks very complicated! I keep saying I must learn but,,,,, Great that you have been friends for so long, I wish some of our South African friends were a little closer.
ReplyDeleteI do love the Gold coast. My main memories when were were there was finding our accommodation, we went up and down Tambourine Mountain a number of times. It is now a standing joke if ever er get lost!
Have a good day t'other Diane
Good friendships last the test of time. Looks like a beautiful place to live.
ReplyDeleteQi like the light paintings. There is something about the quality of light over water that makes for compelling photos. It is bowing a gale here tonight. Very chilly again.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a very nice weekend together. The trimmed moustache and beard is a "Swiss" model? :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Diane, what a fun weekend with your old friends. The views and the photos are wonderful. I like the sculpture and the vintage MG. Have a happy new week!
ReplyDeleteMust be a card game you have to concentrate on. Great to catch up with old friends, would be as if they had never left..
ReplyDeleteLove the MG's
love the statue and when i was in high school, all i wanted was an mg like these.. gorgeous views from their tower and glad the game proves you are all even in the game. i saw your temp on the side bar, i would love to have that here right now.. it says 17
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Ben and Lynn are looking good. and I love the MG show - that would have been fun x
ReplyDeleteFun reconnecting with old friends and old memories!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely skies on the Gold Coast. The Maddie Statue looks bigger than the skyscrapers! Great to spend time with old friends who knew you back when...
ReplyDeleteThe first comment mentioned "Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men" and now I have that stuck in my head.............
ReplyDeleteThose red cars are bloody lovely who doesn't like an MG
You certainly had a beautiful place in which to enjoy your Jass weekend.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to be able to spend time with a friend from when Bill and Ben emigrated to Australia. That is a great friendship and I thoughly enjoyed your photos in this post Diane.
ReplyDeleteYou know it was a great weekend when the time passes too quickly!
ReplyDeleteWonderful collection of photos and memories. The sunset is glorious and the MGs are spectacular.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a most enjoyable weekend. Off I go now to look up how to play jass.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful weekend. And your first photo is certainly appropriate to show a scene from the 'gold' coast!!
ReplyDeleteBen and Bill look almost like twins on this picture, lol ! Mr. G. has also a friend since ages, but he became very fat and can't even close his Jeans anymore, while Mr. G. is still slim !
ReplyDeletethere is another blogger who came from Switzerland. Visiting after a long absence.
ReplyDelete