A WALK IN THE PARK 15

I managed to pry Bill away from his computer and get him to go for a walk. Walked through part of the park and the we left the park and visited Lake Dennis which is short distance away. We sat and watched the ducks and the peaceful lake before returning home through the park on a different track.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN 1980

 My story continued:

Bill volunteered for Radio 4EB the ethnic radio station in Brisbane on the weekends. He produced and presented the Swiss Radio program for many years until the digital revolution and the World Wide Web took over. He enjoyed his time there.

The girls were growing up and they were good friends, Carol-Ann took good care of her little sister.

On weekends we sometimes visited Mt Tamborine and go for bush walks in the National Park.

We went with friends Norm and Joan, who we used to know when we lived in Papua/New Guinea.

Because I hadn't got full time work yet, I was able to attend sports days at the girl's school. Carol- Ann dashing for the finish line in Tunnel Ball.

Sonya dashing to the finish line in Tunnel Ball.

In summer we spent a lot of time in the pool. Both the girls and daddy trying to balance on a float mat but it didn't last long.

Other times we visited old neighbours, who had moved to the Gold Coast and we swam in their pool. George and Laila are still friends today, unfortunately George is not well, with Parkinson's Disease.

We visited the photographers for a professional photo of our little family in 1980.

Then and now(ish)

JULY DINNER IN THE VILLAGE

This month's dinner didn't have a theme. It was a Roast Dinner Night to keep us warm. We are having a very cold snap for Queensland weather. It was 3°C this morning.
When guests arrive we pick a number out of a box and that tells us which table we are sitting at. They mix up the single people and the couples.

The two ladies at the back organise the dinner nights.

But before sitting people mingle and visit the bar run by volunteer residents. 

Friends catch up. These two couples met in the village and they had been friends years ago when their children went to the same school.

Then it was time to be seated. Our Residents' Committee Chairman is the MC.

The main course was Roast Lamb with Homemade Minted Chutney or Roast Pork with Apple Chutney. Served with Roast Vegetables.

Then we had the most interesting Guest Speaker, Alan Burrell, Managing Director of Mercy Ships. Learning what this organisation of volunteers does was incredible.  They have a fleet of hospital ships, that visit poor nations and provide surgery and health care including dentists free of charge. Did you know that 93% of the world's population doesn't have access to a doctor.

The chef, Brian Pozzey at work feeding over 90 people.

Dessert was Baked Berry Cheesecake and Rocky Road on Fruit Coulis.

At our table we had very nice residents. Rhonda in red just recently lost her husband to cancer. The other two are Carol and Rob, retired pharmacists. They love cruising and are missing it due to Covd19.

As usual, the Rochedale High Catering Students served us and cleared away the dishes as well as helping in the kitchen. 

EXPLORING THE NEW FIRE BREAK

 After six months of dilly dallying, the workmen finally finished making a wider firebreak around the perimeter of the Daisy Hill Conservation Park and they have opened the walking tracks that were closed off while they were working. Part of that perimeter borders our village. So we have a new firebreak around our village. Yesterday my friend , Helen and I went to explore the firebreak now that the tracks are open again. Not all the tracks were closed, just the ones near our village and the perimeter of the forest.

We set off behind the village.

There were more hills than I expected. We walked parallel to the village border.

Trees that were cut down were mulched and spread on the side of the break.

Then we veered away from the village and skirted the neighbours property. It was a bit of a climb.

At the top I turned around and could see the village workshop and greenhouse.

We climbed up even higher. Then we could see the firebreak disappeared following the perimeter of the forest so we decided to find our way back on an old track.

 

I had walked this track some years ago and was sure it would get us back to the village via a different route. So that we actually made a circuit.  We hope that this fire break keeps us safe in summer and I hope the fires are not as bad as last year or as bad as in USA. We were lucky last year. There were no fires in our forest. We have had more rain this year than usual so hopefully the forest isn't too dry. 

REMEMBERING THE EIGHTIES

 My Story continued:

It was a hot summer in January 1980. The girls were given new outfits for Christmas from Aunty Ada.

It was an exciting time for Sonya. It was her first day at school. Carol was going into Year 3. They were at Springwood Central State School. 

 Later in the year my Mum and Dad flew from Sydney to visit us.

It was Dad's birthday in May, he turned 66.

A  week later it was Carol's eighth birthday.

 

We took Mum and Dad to visit the new Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha.

It was the last time my Dad visited us. He became sick and was diagnosed with bone cancer. 

Saying goodbye to Grandma and Granddad at Brisbane Airport.

FORGOTTEN BIRTHDAY PICS

 Some time ago our CEO, Chiou See, asked Bill if he would live stream her son's wedding so that her family in Singapore and the bride's family in Japan could watch the wedding live, since they couldn't travel here for the wedding due to Covid 19.

So we went along to the wedding held in an historic house courtyard in Brisbane. We spent all afternoon live streaming the wedding until Bill's Phone sent a message saying "iPhone is too hot turn off." Then Bill continued on Chiou See's phone.

It was a lovely wedding and we enjoyed the job even though we were tired when we got home. The bride's mother and Chiou See  thanked us profusely for doing this so their families could watch. Chiou See said she would like to pay for us to go to dinner at her favourite French Restaurant  as a 'thank you' for doing the filming.

So on my birthday last month we booked up to go to Aquitaine Restaurant at South Bank. We invited friends, Val and Peter to come with us. The food was delicious, the service excellent and the view lovely.

Videographer at work.

Christopher and Rika

Chiou See, Rika, Chris and his father.

Overlooking the Brisbane River and the CBD.

I had fish

Bill had quail

I had Creme Brûlée 

and a surprise mini cheese cake. 

Bill had a cheese plate (More bread than cheese)