news from the capital

Wow what a big weekend! Bel Canto, my choir celebrated their 20th anniversary. Last night the current members went out to dinner and today we had our concert down at the guide hall. We had quite a few ex-members in the audience as well as family and friends. We all picked two of our favourite songs and Yolande and I picked two of Jean's favourites, our member who died a few years ago. (It was also good to have Ted, Jean's husband there with us to celebrate) We had 22 songs in all and sang for about an hour then had afternoon tea. We raised over $200 for the school Caroline (one of our choir members) taught at in Nepal last week. Caroline is heading back over there in a few weeks and $200 will buy them lots of supplies! We have also been performing some of the programme at nursing homes over the last few weeks. This week I really need to do my reports- my junior reports are due this Friday!! Luckily my senior reports aren't due for another week, its good to have them broken up. We are really looking forward to seeing you Marty in a few weeks, Lucy has been able to swap shifts so we are all coming. Our girls do love their uncle Marty! See you all soon,

love Annie

Hi all,
Mart, very civilised hours of travel for Darwin. We are excited!
Please consider a little Illawarra road trip on friday 31st, I will chaffeur you.
Just getting ready to do a short bush walk round Mt Keira this afternoon. Should be lovely now the wind has dropped and the sun is shining. Will have to keep the 30 plants I bought on Friday for the creek, till next weekend to plant.
Had a great day here yesterday with Brig and Gen/ Evie Chesterfield to us who know her from another place. Welsh tapestry has now hit down town Sydney big time now that Ms Evie Chesterfield will be strutting her stuff in it this winter.
And we learnt all about the Davis station and the amazing up coming expedition Brig is undertaking there!
I did only get on to the net to read about and see photos of the Night Scented Jessamine. Brig have me a wee one yesterday, and I am finding out where the best spot in the garden is to plant it.
Cheers ror now, Zak

Air fares booked

Hi Everyone

I have booked to come down on Thursday June 30 arriving in Sydney 12.15pm.

I fly out on Monday July 4 the plane leaving at 1.05pm.

Very much the gentlemans hours.

Just Touching Base

Hi All

You wouldn't believe how cold it is up here. Down to thirteen at night and only getting up to about 26 during the day. I left Alice to get away from the cold. Claire left yesterday to spend two weeks down there for work so she will be really feeling it. Haven't been up to much lately but with four weeks break coming up I am looking at having a good break. haven't booked an airfare yet but plan to drop in to 39 for a couple of days and then come back and spend a couple of weeks in kakadu. The billabongs aren't open yet but I plan to move from one to another and just si in the sun drink a couple of beverages, do a little fishing read a few books and just generally relax. Peter Tyrell may be coming up but he is yet to confirm. doesn't matter as I will be going anyway. The harley has had a bit more open heart surgery but it always was a work in progress. Anyway I am off to watch the state of origin down at the club ( like all proper batchelor boys) and will see you all soon.

Cheers
Marty and Buddy

Welsh Greetings

Hi All
Life in Wales is good - if somewhat damp!
Last week I heard the "banned" song of our childhood performed live when Rod Stewart was in Swansea. Actually was a better concert than I had anticipated. I won two tickets to the event so took my friend Louise with me. We were 4 rows from the stage. The tickets had a face value of £95! Would never have paid a fraction of that but I did enjoy.
Louise and I have been continuing our gym workouts. We go most mornings for about an hour. Nothing much to show for it as yet but we are carrying on.
Last weekend Jules and I spent in the van as we anti-woodwormed the house and had to leave for 48hours. We just parked up in the field behind a pub a bit further up the valley. Was a nice change to be out of Ponty for a weekend.
Jules is now getting on with laying our bathroom floor. Will let you know when it complete.
Have enjoyed some good music in the pubs over this weekend. Had a "ladies lunch" on Friday. Met at 1.30 and got home about 12.30. Was a great day.
Saw a good film last week - "Oranges and Sunshine" - a joint British/Australian production. It's about the British children who were sent to Australia, particularly in the 50s and 60s, under forced immigration. Quite harrowing but a good film.
Wimbledon starts next week so I'll be glued to the TV for 2 weeks.
Darts are going alright, although we did lose quite badly in our last game (9-2). Hopefully we will put up a better performance this week.
Hope you are all well and happy. Sorry I won't be there when you are in Sydney Marty. Thinking of you all.
Love and hugs
Moo xxxxx

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Everyone so busy, the blog has been forgotten!
Last week I was flicking through mum's old recipe book (we all know the one) and found the recipe for kugelhoff. I really dont know what inspired me, but I thought I would give it a try, and yes a fine result, very delicious! Wonder if I'll be inspired today?
Mart, I hear you are heading down south for a few days. Bring your thermals with you it is bloody freezing down here at the moment. And I am taking you on a road trip to the Illawarra while you are here, so you can breath in cool sea air, (as opposed to warm sea air you have) maybe see some whales, and maybe even a fur seal, which are rare and endangered on the south cooast but one was on Austinmer beach playing last week! Get excited baby!!
Its now five times since dad has tried to get out the back door to go and buy bread rolls for lunch, otherwise known as going to the TAB, and at least six times that mum has told me she is going to have a shower, but the great thing is they have both finally got their act together and are in motion.
Anyone thought about christmas this year? Want presents? forget it? give to a charity? op shop only gift? kitsch souvenirs? home made only?
Think about it, and let us know. Mountain mob can respond by mail or phone if they read this.
Mum has just agreed to go on a road trip to Melbourne later in the year. Im wondering if dad put something in her orange juice this morning?? Nevertheless we can start planning our route, you got to love a road trip!!
Dad has put more than 600 slides from their first overseas trip on to the computer. This is quite an achievement and thank goodness Liam Jack came and saved the day by getting them on to the stick, which was way to confusing for dad and I to accomplish. Thanks Liam!!
Okay time to get lunch organised.
Love to you all
Zak