Samsara - Yum!

It was time for one of our regular meet-ups with the group we travelled with in Europe (19 years ago).  On this occasion we were due to visit Roger and Pam. Unfortunately Roger was in recuperation from a replacement hip operation so we went to Samsara Restaurant in Mt Waverly.  Occasional members of the group, David and Jenny were down from Renmark (Adelaide is in the Grand Final on Saturday) so we were able to catch up with them.

Details , Details!

Sorting the new house plans has begun in earnest.  There has been a lot of measuring and drawing in preparation for the amendments to the draft plan and the drafts of the internal layout.

Planning Progresses

Following plenty of discussion it is starting to look like we may have a plan for the new house.  Detailed planning has begun!

Antonio Park Production

We watched the 29th Annual Antonio Park Primary School Production last night.  It was a musical parody of the Robin Hood story and four of our grandchildren were up there in lights. Sophie was first up as one of the villagers oppressed by King John. She was followed by Lachlan as a skunk

Then we were introduced to Robin Hood and his band including Jack.

 Cooper was also one of the villagers.

 Jack was back on for an amazing solo song and dance routine that brought the house down!

 And all too soon we were into the finale and farewells.  It was an amazing night.

Jack's A Winner!

If you play in two Basketball Teams and on Awards Night you get the MVP Award for both teams, you have had a good night.

Jack had a good night!!

Cooper Tramps It

Cooper is learning Trampoline skills and last night we caught some of his activities.  The instructors keep up the variety with games and specific acrobatic skills. Cooper really enjoys his classes.

 They even teach him to walk up walls!

Birthday Finalised

We had a magnificent dinner at Adam and Kate's place to mark the end of my 72nd year.  Amongst the cards was this beauty that Sophie had made herself.

 The slow cooked lamb and chicken was quickly demolished by the assembled company.  The whole family presented me with a super upper top shelf French red (Margaux - a blend of cab sav. and merlot) the like of which I am unlikely to see again.  It is now in secure storage and will be consumed to mark our departure from Efron St.

Then there was the issue of the Cake.  A number of helpers ensured there was zero fire risk at the end of the evening.

At the end of the evening we were able to retire to our beds and think of Brett, Cathy, Mitchell, Ebony and Holly waiting around at the airport for their plane to Japan that left after midnight.  We hope it is a wonderful trip.

Another Birthday!

As progress toward fossilisation continues, I tripped over another milestone yesterday.  To ease the pain, Claire took me to lunch at a sensational local restaurant that we seem to have been the last people on earth to discover.  From our perspective the restaurant was a "Dark Horse" both by name and nature.  We each had a magnificent beef fillet and prawn dish.

Jack's Final Game

Jack finished his Basketball season last night. In a game where there was an interesting laissez-faire approach to umpiring where only the most obvious indiscretions were called, the boys did their best but were beaten by a better team.  Jack had a good night scoring many of the points for his team.

 Jack is now looking forward to the new season when he will have James as his Coach.

A Glimpse of the Future?

An unfamiliar car arrived in the drive today.  Could this be Lisa's new wheels?

Some Air Time for Cooper

Cooper has been trampolining for a few weeks and yesterday we went to see one of his classes.  He has not been too well but still enjoyed a little time relaxing in mid air.

Holly's Birthday

Although the birthday has passed, preparations were underway today for the arrival of friends to help celebrate at a Rock Climbing party.

We were able to give Holly her present (a Ghanda top) that she thinks she may take with her to Japan.

James Exits the Finals

James team has had quite a season with injuries and absences, dramatic wins and losses and on this occasion, a team they had beaten in the past came home winners.

Jack Joins the Finals

Getting home a little early we managed to see Jack and Patrick playing separate games in the same stadium at the same time.  Jack had a good game scoring more than half of the team points and pushing his team to a slim victory in the final minutes of an exciting game.

 Both boys had had a good night.

Pat Sees Out the Season

Patrick had his final game for this season last night and arriving home a day early gave us the opportunity to see his final action with this team.  They did not win but Patrick has become a real contributor in the team and we look forward to seeing him in his new team.

Sightseeing in Sydney

Heading south we called in to visit the Inchleys for a few days.  We love the Opal Cards that allow us to travel all day for $2.50.  On our first day we headed into Sydney then up to Leura in the Blue Mountains for lunch at the delightful Alexandra Pub with friends Trevor and Marion who live up there.  Claire declared the meals 'excellent'.

On the second day we traveled into town to travel on the ferries to Watsons Bay and see South Head.

The ferry is certainly the best vantage point to view the city.