Double Take!

As avid readers of the Brighton Blog and the news of the cold snap in the UK, we looked in the paper this morning and thought we must be seeing things.  There was a picture of the Brighton Beach all snowed in and we had to look again to see if it was Cathy and Monty.  (The Age p 17)

Sophie's Third Birthday Photo

We think we have done it! Getting the portrait of a 3 year old is always a challenge.  The current game is always far more important than presenting for the camera.  This morning was set aside for the challenge and we think this is the one.

Day with Granny and Pa

Jack and Cooper are spending the day while Mum is consulting with one of Santa's helpers.  Cooper is a little out of sorts but so far there have been no major breakouts!

The toy cupboard is surviving but could do with a refresh with some new supplies.  Some of the toys here were used by Mitchell and James many years ago.

The latest demand is to watch Star Wars.  Pa thinks "perhaps not" as we frantically look for a diversion!

Wedding Photos delivered

Ben and Ula are back in town and I was pleased to have finished the photos for them before they started their round of visits. I was pleased with the photos and thankfully, they seemed happy with the results too.

A selection of the photos is up for viewing at
http://www.idrpix.com/bu

A New State Government

Looks like a lot of people felt like me!  We had the state election yesterday (yawn) and the Labor government was tossed out.  They had become arrogant, complacent and unresponsive to community opinion.  So now we have the Liberals.  I am sure they will be little different from Labor but at least they are different people and we will have the opportunity to toss them out when they too become lazy.

Nothing like a Lamb Roast

It was another (wet) Saturday. Everyone was available and Claire (Chef de Maison) had a leg of lamb which she cooked to perfection.  There was a bottle of "Brothers in Arms" shiraz (2002) contributed by distant family sitting on the shelf.  Our guest Chef of the evening, Kate, contributed a huge container of cup cakes, none of which made it past the end of the meal. So a great meal was had by all.

Subjects of the evening argument moved around the relative merits of various cars for towing, the most appropriate caravan for the round Australia trip and approaches to education.  James is getting serious about his football.  He is starting training 6 weeks before the season starts and trains Wednesday and plays on the weekend. 

Outside it was wet (we have had about 55mm in the past few days).

Patrick's Art Work

I had the opportunity to help out in the Art Room yesterday with Patrick.  The school is constructing a huge mosaic with all the children contributing an image of their hand in mosaic.  All good fun but a bit fiddly so the Art teacher needed a few helpers in the room.  Patrick finished his mosaic and drew a snowman.

Grandma in Hospital

All seemed to go well.  Grandma had the operation to remove what was suspected to be a small, benign, tumour on the parathyroid glands in the throat.  She went into St Vincents Hospital on the 24th and the operation was performed on the 25th.  Apparently the expected lesion was found and removed and when visited yesterday she seemed to be in very good spirits.

She has a room that overlooks the city, and we were impressed at the quality of care being provided (as was Grandma).

Apparently she is well enough to go home this afternoon (26/11).  We have just had a call from the Hospital to say that she is in good shape and they are sending her home in the ambulance.

Weekend in Castlemaine

If you are looking for a great place to spend a weekend, have we got a tip for you!  With a group of friends we decided to spend a weekend in Castlemaine.  Rosemary did the research and came up with the Empyre Hotel.  It is about to celebrate its 150th Birthday and is one of the gold mining hotels of the district that now operates as a B&B and for fine dining.

Our rooms were on the upper floor and two rooms had access to the balcony.  Just the place for a lazy afternoon.

The rooms themselves were exceptionally comfortable and clean and they were filled with French antiques. (Notice the two antique French widescreen TV sets - they were made by that venerable French Company, Grundig!)

On the Saturday evening we had a meal in the private dining room which was exquisite.  Magnificently cooked and presented.

There is plenty to do and see in the surrounding area. We were a bit lazy and did not get to see all the sights.  Another visit will have to be considered.  The Empyre Hotel makes it to our 'Highly Recommended' list.

Christening

On Sunday, James, Patrick and Sophie were christened at the local church.  Beautiful day for it and all went well.