CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY 2024

We were lucky to celebrate Christmas with the whole family as well as a cousin from Switzerland. We celebrated on Christmas Eve like they do in Switzerland. The girls like this because they can go to their husbands' parents on Christmas day if possible. The young ones bought all the food and prepared it in our kitchen. We had a simple Aussie meal of prawns and Moreton Bay Bugs (a type of crayfish) with some ham, potato bake and different salads. For dessert we had Pavlova and/or Plum pudding with custard and fresh fruit.

All hands in the kitchen, Simon at left is a cousin from Switzerland, he came to Australia some years ago to be Fox and Banjo's live in carer (manny). He stayed for a year and Sonya was sad to see him go because he was good with the boys and did cleaning and some cooking. He has returned this year for a holiday. He is staying with Sonya and family. Once again keeping the house clean, cooking and helping Bernie with the house renovations.

Our Christmas Tree went past its 'use by date' and I wasn't keen to buy a new one so Carol decorated our fake bamboo. David and Carol flew from Melbourne to be with us for 11 days. She came early to drive me to the eye specialist because I wasn't to drive after they dilated my pupils. The result is I need cataract surgery in February and March. David's parents live in Brisbane too. Carol also organised a silly Secret Santa game. It was loads of fun.

Bill liked his present and nobody stole it from him (as the game goes).

Then it was time for the buffet.

Our wonderful daughters. Poor Carol has a damaged thumb from too much mousework. 

After dessert it was time to exchange presents. There was a pile of them under the tree (bamboo).

The boys gave out the gifts.

Fox lends Granddad a helping hand.

Fox likes his gift.

Simon loves the beach and was happy to get a beach towel.

Bernie likes entertaining and he was happy with a big grazing board.

Carol likes her new pyjamas.

Bill enjoyed my joke. He had six teeth removed recently and he is still waiting for false teeth so I gave him some teeth for Christmas. They were jelly lollies (candies).

It was a fun Christmas Eve. We hope you all had fun too.

Ooops! Forgot to add the little family photo.

DARLING DAUGHTERS

Last week I visited Sonya and family in Melbourne. On the weekend my other daughter flew from Sydney to join us. We had a lovely time together except I found it very cold.

While the nanny minded Banjo, and Fox went on a play date us three girls went to lunch.

Banjo making cookies with the nanny

After lunch we went to the Art Gallery to see the Van Gogh exhibition but it was booked out. Water continually pours down this window.

 Melbourne reminds me of Europe. It was a lovely time being with my two girls. Sonya gave me a warm scarf for my birthday.

 The next day we all went to the circus show, The Mad Hatter's Tea Party in the Spiegel Tent. The boys participated in the dancing.

 After the show we had lunch and then went to Luna Park. The kids had fun.

 Aunty Carol and Fox challenge Bernie and Banjo on the Dodgem Cars. 

The Melbourne family. After the big day we went home for my last sleep in Melbourne.

The next morning Carol and I took the boys to the park while Mum and Papa had some free time together. Carol and Fox scootered while Banjo chased the ducks. Then we all went to Yum Cha lunch.  After lunch we went to the airport, where Carol flew back to Sydney and I flew to warm Brisbane. It was nice to catch up with the family.

LITTLE VISITORS

How time flies when you get old. I thought it was only a week ago when I posted but now I see that it was over three weeks. Dang!

Last weekend, daughter Sonya and her boys, flew from Melbourne to visit for a few days and to warm up in Queensland sunshine.

 The boys had a turn at flying the jet.

 The Melbourne family found it quite warm up here in Brisbane. They enjoyed some time in the spa.

 Cheeky

 The next day we went on the ferry to Coochiemudlo Island for a picnic and play on the beach.

It was a lovely sunny winter's day

 Fox constructing a canal.

 The next day it was a picnic in the forest in walking distance from the village. Banjo spies a wallaby.

 Granddaddy bonds with the boys.

In the afternoon Sonya and her friend, Kelly relax in our Zen Garden, while the children went rock hopping.

Fox crossing a bridge.

 On the last morning I took the boys to the local skate park and playground.

Fox found a place for me to rest and he took a photo of me. Then it was off to the airport and back home to cold Melbourne for Sonya and the boys. It was a fun weekend and so good to see Sonya relax a little.

MORE GOOD NEWS

In 2001 Carol-Ann and David decided to go to London to get more experience in their professions, so it was with sadness but goodwill we said our goodbyes.

Carol soon got a good job as an interior designer and was even given a car by the company. Things were going well for her. After a few years they came home for a while but soon London was calling again. David had won a job with the BBC as resident composer.

So in 2005 we said goodbye again.

They had fallen in love with London. The parks and ......

...fine dining.

They both worked hard and enjoyed hopping over to the continent now and then for holidays.

Paris

Italy and many other countries. Carol was sent by the company to do jobs in Switzerland, Holland, Italy, Ireland, USA, and Dubai. They came home last Christmas for a holiday but it wasn't long before we were saying goodbye again.

David was composing music for TV productions and Carol was senior interior designer and an Associate Director of the company now, so we understood why they wanted to return to London.

They loved England and.....

....Switzerland.

The Good News is that they are homesick and due to the recession, now depression, in the UK their jobs are not as exciting as they were so they have resigned and they have bought one way tickets home. (I hope they can find work here and stay for ever and ever)