BEN'S 80TH BIRTHDAY

 Ben and Bill migrated from Switzerland together in 1967. They planned to stay for the obligatory two years just to learn to speak English. However, the plan changed once they arrived and fell in love with Australia and the girls who became their soul partners. They have remained friends since then even though their lives led them to live in far away places. Bill and I lived in PNG for quite a few years and Ben and Lyn lived in NT for some time. Now Ben and Lyn live in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. Ben turned 80 last week and the celebration was held on last Sunday at Flaxton Gardens. So I had a two hour drive to Flaxton. I decided to book into a guesthouse nearby to stay overnight so not to be driving home late in the evening. It was a lovely celebration with a delicious lunch and set in a beautiful place. 

Lyn and Ben

Two old mates Bill and Ben 

Friends forever

Lunch was delicious, I had salmon and Bill had chicken. There were three long tables filled with relatives and friends. 

Ben and Lyn had three children, Natalie, Yolande and Jason. They all have children who have children so Ben has a big family. These three used to be playmates with our two girls when we all lived close together.

Flaxton Gardens was a beautiful venue with a stunning view. Bill and a friend, Ken.

The view.

The venue.

Bill crashed after the party in our guest house. We had a lounge, bed and bathroom with a garden view.

The next day was a long drive home but we had a good weekend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELEMENTS RETIREMENT LIVING

 Our retirement village turned sixteen years old this month. So we had a party dinner and it was free, put on by the owners. Lots of residents turned up and it was a Spanish theme with Spanish guitarists and Paella for dinner. Many residents turned up in Spanish dress and we had a nice time. The students were not able to come because it is their examinations time. So the staff served us.

My table. 

There were a lot of us there probably because it was free.

There was a video showing events over the last 16 years. Most of them were made by my Bill but he didn't come to the dinner to see his work.

FATHER'S DAY

Bill had the best Fathers' Day Weekend. Our daughter, Carol-Ann came from Melbourne and our other daughter, Sonya invited us for lunch. Carol's husband, David, was here too visiting his father, who had a fall and was in hospital. So we took advantage of having the whole family in Brisbane and went out for lunch at the Thai Orchid Restaurant.

Sonya and brother in law David deep in conversation with Fox anxiously waiting to go home.

Carol cooked us a breakfast loaf.

On Fathers' Day we were invited to Sonya's home for lunch. Bernie cooked for us.

It was a lovely weekend with most of the family together.