Well I'm a bit behind in posting. Having visitors and then getting a bad cough has impinged on my posting. Just before Christmas the residents had a Christmas dinner. At most of our dinners we pick a number out of a container to tell us which table to sit at. This way we get to meet different people at each dinner. However, we mostly know all the residents from mingling at a variety of activities.
It is a small boutique Retirement Village with about 123 units and 188 residents.
Ian in the blue shirt has volunteered to be the Residents Committee Chairman. He does a great job and gets voted back in every year. His wife next to him is Clover and she is always fashionably dressed with glasses to match each outfit. The couple next to clover is Diane and Bill (The same names as us) and they live in our street. We have known them since she and I were in the same playgroup back in the seventies. The two in front are Robin and Noela, Robin was the principal of our Local Lutheran College. The other couple is Hans and Ros from The Netherlands. They have the best Christmas lights display.
This was our table. In front is Christine and Clive, They are migrants from England and they come from the same place in Yorkshire where I was born, Newmillerdam. The other couple is Linda and Rod. Linda is the residents committee secretary. She is great at organising functions. Gay at the end lives two doors away from us. She was so helpful to us when we were new to the village, she also organises morning tea when we have a residents meeting and she also helps run the Line Dancing Group.
The Three Amigos, David, Bruce and Robin all turned up in matching shirts.
After a traditional English Christmas Dinner, there was much fun on the dance floor.
I forgot to photograph the main meal but here are the desserts, Christmas Cake, Christmas pudding, chocolate cake. (with Brandy Custard)
Traditional Australian Christmas dessert. Australians and New Zealanders always argue about which country invented the Pavlova. It is a meringue base covered in a variety of berries and fruit.
An Italian Christmas Cake
We came home full and merry.
The Three Amigos, David, Bruce and Robin looked very sexy in their matching shirts :)
ReplyDeleteFull and merry sounds good to me.
ReplyDeleteAll looks wonderful. The food looks tasty and there is nothing like a decent Christmas Dinner - all the photos are so lovely and good to see. A couple with the same names, amazing and the 3 shirts the same :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Diane and Bill.
And a great time was had by all! Super to be able to join in through your splendid photos. Wishing you and Bill A Very Happy New Year Diane!
ReplyDeleteYou have excellent organisers to keep you all entertained. Full and merry is a great description of a wonderful get together. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI like Denise comment, a great time was had by all, because no matter what you all gather together to do or celebrate its always fun and laughter.. Happy New year
ReplyDeleteI am always impressed with the many functions held at your village. What a wonderful Christmas gathering. Interestingly, my husband knows Clive through U3A Italian classes. I just love the Three Amigoes.
ReplyDeleteOh, all the food looks delicious! Looks like you all enjoyed yourselves!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
hugs
Donna
It all looks great fun - and everyone in their bright summer shirts, not Christmas sweaters like us!
ReplyDeleteThe three matching shirts are a hoot!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet some of your fellow neighbors in these photos, Diane. It looks like yet another great dinner gather, and a more festive one too. Did the fellows in the matching shirts also sing holiday songs?
ReplyDeleteOh the things you do in your village give me some envy. Everything looks like so much fun and many things to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteLove the 3 amigos !!
Happy New Year to you and yours. I hope your cough will be gone ASAP.
Sue
Looks like a fun party, I like the 3 men in matching shirts.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best in 2026, a happy and healthy New Year. Take care, have a great day!
I always enjoy seeing the photos and hearing all about your different parties and activities. It looks like everyone had a wonderful time. Have a very Happy New Year 2026!
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas festivities look fab and a lot of fun. I think fun in under-rated in retirement villages. Happy new year to you and Bill.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good time was had by all ... lovely photographs.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year wishes.
All the best Jan
It looked like a wonderful time celebrating Christmas together with all the residents! Happy and healthy 2026!
ReplyDelete