WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO OUR FOREST?

Most of you know that I live next to a forest. The locals call it Daisy Hill Forest but its real name is Daisy Hill Conservation Park. My friends and I walk there every morning except weekends. Some months ago when I entered the forest I came across trucks and fences stopping us from entering certain parts of the forest, mainly the picnic area. What are they doing to our forest??

Then all was revealed. The government has provided funds for an upgrade to the park. 

The picnic area will have new facilities such as shelters, BBQ's, toilet blocks and pathways.

We were not too happy about our usual walking paths being blocked off but we made a new route.

Now the first section of work is complete. The ring road for cars has been resealed and the park paths have been concreted like this one.

New shelters and BBQ's

New facilities

New activities for children. Turn the handle to guess the sounds of the wildlife.

So the picnic area has been spruced up and our bush tracks have new signs but luckily there are still acres and acres of untouched forest.

BOB'S BIRTHDAY BEAR

Bob had a belated Birthday Bear celebration. Before the celebrations Bear agreed to having a ride in the washing machine at Ann's house. However, Bear declined the offer of a spin in the dryer but opted to hang around in the sun all day trying to get dry.

 At the end of the day Bear was still damp so it hung around inside the garage for the night.

 At last Bear was all cleaned and shaven and ready for his new outfit for Bob's party.

Bob and Chris have bought a property in the country. Bear is dressed ready to help Bob with all the chores on the property. First they have to erect a kit home and keep an eye on all the native fauna. They need to make a place for the alpacas they hope to raise. 

 This time the celebration was held at Helen's home. Bob and Chris had come from the country to stay the night because Chris and Helen were leaving on a trip on the next day. Chris is far left and Helen far right. They are going to Western Australia on the famous Indian-Pacofic train and then touring the Pilbara Region.

 It was an impromptu party, so fish and chips and donuts were the fare for the event. Unfortunately, Bill and I couldn't make it that evening because we were on our way back from Melbourne.

Bear enjoyed the donuts best.

BIRTHDAY TIME IN MELBOURNE

Our grandsons have their birthdays close together, so this year they celebrated their birthdays together. We flew to Melbourne to help out and celebrate with them. We were lucky in that our other daughter from Sydney was in Melbourne too working for her company. So we all met up and spent three days together.

On the evening we arrived, we met Carol at the Swiss Club restaurant for dinner. Bill loved it. Swiss beer and food.

 The girls enjoyed Cheese Fondu

We even had Swiss music.

The next day we went shopping for the party and picked up the boys from school because mummy and papa were at work. On Saturday the Jumping House arrived and was pumped up much to the boys excitement.

 In the afternoon the guests started to arrive. Each boy invited his whole class plus all their cousins which made about 50 children. (I thought that was a crazy idea but it all turned out okay.)

 The kids loved the house which had climbing activities inside.

Later rain clouds gathered and it started to shower.

Someone gathered up all the shoes and jackets and brought them inside.

 Luckily it wasn't long before the sun started to shine again.

Bernie did a great job at entertaining the children with musical games.

Inside, Aunty Carol was decorating the cake. I was making Fairy Bread and friends were warming up party pies and sausage rolls.

After lots of fun and games it was time to sing happy birthday and...

blow out the candles and .......

 sample the cake. Bernie did a good job at serving the crowd. There were also sausages sizzling on the BBQ but they didn't all get eaten so guess what we had for dinner.

 You cannot imagine the pile of presents that were left in the family room for the boys to open when everyone had left except for cousins. It took them ages to read all the cards and investigate the gifts.
Fox was given a lot of things relating to AFL Football and his favourite team "The Richmond Tigers"

 The next morning we went to watch Fox play AFL with his team the Ashy Redbacks. Go number 4!

Then it was time to say goodbye as we left for the airport and they went to the MCG to watch the Tigers play. They have grown so much since we saw them and I guess they will again before we see them again.

FAREWELL DINNER

Just when you thought I had finished boring you with Singapore holiday shots , I spring another one on you. On the last evening in Singapore, our CEO, Chiou See and family and staff organised a lovely farewell dinner. It was a delicious banquet including the Chilli Crab experience. Chiou See provided the wine.

It was a great restaurant and could easily cater for the 57 of us.

 Here are just a few of the meals

 Chilli Crab was the speciality and it was fun to eat with your fingers and mop up the sauce with little buns.

 Getting prepared for the experience

Our friend Jan having fun.

Chiou See(far right) and her staff, who accompanied the 57 residents to Singapore and Malacca

Karen the manager of our village,( Elements Retirement Living Springwood) had her birthday while we were there. Chiou See organised some cakes.

Chiou See is Singaporean and she had the support and help from her family to organise this trip. Here she is thanking her family and below are some of her family members.

We thanked Chiou See and her Parents for the wonderful trip and dinner.

Ian, one of the residents, thanks Chiou See on behalf of residents for bringing us all on this great trip.

We had a great time.