WE ARE SAFE

We had a worrying time but its all over and we are safe and our unit did not get any damage. The worst was the waiting for Tropical Cyclone Alfred to cross the coast. It was a category 2 but moving very slowly. so we were living in apprehension for three days or more. We saw it tearing the Gold Coast to shreds and it was scary thinking that would happen to us. Finally, Alfred crept slowly towards us and started losing power as it hit the coastal islands. We had howling winds and pouring rain but luckily we stayed safe. Our unit didn't leak and nothing was damaged outside. The worst part was that we were without power all of the next day. So many trees had blown down electricity wires. There was 350 thousand homes without power. Some are still waiting to be reconnected. 

We had cold turkey sandwiches and sparkling water for tea/dinner. We played board games in candlelight to pass the time. The next day it just poured rain non stop all day and night. The cyclone had turned into a low pressure and it was stationary over Brisbane. Many creeks and rivers flooded. Silly people drove through flood waters and had to be rescued. Only one life was lost but many houses ruined by flood water. People were madly filling sand bags to stop the water entering homes and businesses.

I drove to the doctor today (check up after cataract surgery 3 weeks ago.) On the way I saw many huge trees on the ground. Some houses were flattened by fallen trees. We were so lucky to have missed the bullet.

When the rain eased a little I walked down the hill from our unit to the front of the village and took a few photos my shoes and jeans got soaking wet even with a big umbrella.

CYCLONE ALFRED

 Cyclone (Hurricane) Alfred is heading right towards us. We have brought in all the outside furniture and pot plants. We have stocked up with water and food, torches and candles. Luckily we are not in a flood zone although there is a creek which passes under our access road to shops. It was supposed to hit tonight but its speed has slowed but not its intensity. So it is now expected to cross the coast tomorrow. The Gold Coast is already experiencing high winds and huge waves.

FAREWELL CHIOU SEE

 It was a sad day when we received an email advising us that our managing director is selling our village. She didn't want to but her business partner wanted to sell. So after weeks of negotiations a suitable buyer was found and now Chiou See is on her way to new adventures. We had a farewell party at Happy Hour last Friday and Lion Dancers were invited to make it a Chinese New Year celebration too.

The residents representatives from Elements Springwood and Elements Carindale give a farewell speech and gift from us all.

A lion's kiss for Rosa.

The hungry lions attempt to eat some residents.

Linda makes a nice dinner

Diane getting consumed.

We feed the lions with little red envelopes containing money. Their fee for entertaining us.

Chiou See feeding her grandson to the lion.

MY VALENTINE

Today is Valentines Day.Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honouring a martyr named Valentine and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

 I have been with my Valentine for 58 years and I still love him heaps. Here are some photos of my Valentine over the years.

1968 making movies in PNG

Crocodile hunting in PNG

Mr Movie Maker

RSL Beer Garden Pt Moresby.

Otherwise engaged 

Returning to his homeland, Switzerland.

Becoming a dad in 1972

On top of the world on Lord Howe Island.

Visiting parents in Switzerland. Lake of Thun.

Loves his coffee

Loves cooking

Singing opera in Sydney's Opera House.

Always up for a laugh.

Another birthday.

But still my Valentine.

WE DID ENJOY AUSTRALIA DAY

Okay so it is ages since we celebrated Australia Day but I only just stumbled on the photos that I took of the celebrations we enjoyed in the Community Centre. We played games, sang Australian Songs, answered trivia questions and we had a sausage sizzle for lunch.

Ian, the Residents Committee Chairperson, opens the proceedings.

For my overseas visitors I need to tell you what this is called in Australia. It is a"thong".  We played a game called "Throwing the Thong". If you get it in the bucket you win a prize.

My neighbour Sue is having a go.

Some energetic ones played Tunnel Ball. Unfortunately I can't anymore due to back problems.

We played pin the tail on the kangaroo, which was painted by one of our talented ladies, Lynne.

The village singers led us in a variety of Australian songs.

Then we enjoyed barbecued sausages with onion and cheese, cooked by the Workshop guys. We sure did have a happy Australia Day

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

 On 26 January 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip raised the english flag in Sydney Cove, where he started a penal colony for English convicts. From those days through many hardships we have become a a great country. It does have its critics, mostly first nations people as some of them see that date as invasion day.

Our flag was made official in !901 when we also became the Commonwealth of Australia and ruled ourselves instead of being a colonies of Britain. The flag has the Union Jack to show that we belong to the British Commonwealth. The big star has seven points one for each of the 6 states and 1 for all the Australian Territories. The other stars make up constellation of The Southern Cross, only seen in the southern hemisphere. 

I migrated to Australia from England as a child in 1949. I have loved growing up here and I am a true blue Aussie. I have a certificate of citizenship to prove it. Over the years we have travelled all over the country and have been amazed at the diversity of landscapes and people.

Here are some of my memories:

FAMILY FUN

 While we hear that the northern hemisphere is having freezing weather we are having heatwaves in Queensland.

It is a bit hot for Bernie to be working on his house.

It is school summer holidays at the moment so Bernie, Sonya, Fox, Banjo and cousin Simon all went to Melbourne for a short holiday (vacation). Bernie, Simon, the boys and the dog drove down. It takes two days. Sonya had to work a bit longer and then she flew down to join them at Bernie's family's beach house at Rye on the Mornington Peninsula.

The night before they left for Melbourne there was a snake in their front entrance. There were no snake catchers available but 14 year old Fox said I'll catch it. He bravely picked it up with the help of a rake and dropped it in a bag his dad was holding. They took it to a park and let it go. It was a Python, they are not venomous but can give a nasty bite which usually gets infected from the bacteria on its fangs. 

While in Rye they caught up with Bernie's family. His sister , Margaret and brother in law, Jason have a nice boat.

Jason and Margaret having fun.

Sonya's cousin, Simon, from Switzerland is enjoying the Australian summer. He loves the beaches.

Bernie was happy to see his mother and she him.

It's good to see them all having a break from work and enjoying family.