High Tea

Auntie Beryl turned 85 yesterday, and today 7 of us (all female) took her to a High Tea up in the Hinterland - name of the cafe "Tea and Niceties" in Mount Tamborine.

Auntie Beryl with her daughter, Gail (Right) and daughter in laws, Ann (centre) and Sue (Left).

Our "High Tea" - this number was shared by Ailsa and I!

Cousin Ailsa with her mum, Auntie Nalda and Auntie Beryl. Ann and I with the now rather bare platter shared by Ails and I. A delightful day followed up with a touch of retail therapy for the girls!.

OUTBACK SPECTACULAR

ANZAC Day was Col and Den's wedding anniversary, so to celebrate both our "A" days, they took us in the evening to the "Outback Spectacular - Tribute to the Australian Light Horse" Seeing it on ANZAC night, made it even more special.

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Yep, we even subjected ourselves for the "mandatory" photograph in our new straw akubras (given to everyone on entrance).

During the show we were served a very good 3 course dinner, and of course prior to the show had time to do a little retail therapy for a couple of kiwi grand kids.

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Digger stood guard at the entrance to the Theatre!

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The Australian Light Horse Brigade in World War 1 had an amazing affinity with their horses, some took their own, others broke in new mounts, looking after them while travelling overseas and keeping them all through the desert campaigns. They rode Australian Stock Horses, a mixture of Thoroughbred, Arab, Timor pony and wild Brumbies. Known as Walers, because the first one came from New South Wales....they had a reputation for grit, sure-footedness and stamina.

The tradition of the Light Horsemen wearing emu plumes in their slouch hats, started with the Queensland Mounted Infantry back in the 1890s. Mounted troopers used to test their skills by racing after wild emus. When they caught one, still at a gallop, they would pull out a couple of the bird's feathers and proudly tuck them into their headbands.

The Light Horsemens' finest hour came on 31st October 1917, with one of the most audacious actions in modern warfare....the charge at Beersheba. In a last ditch effort to save the attacking British Army from disaster, they were to attempt the near impossible, a cavalry charge across five kilometres of open desert, against 4,000 entrenched infantry, supported by machine guns and artillery - surely a suicide mission.

Three lines of Light Horsemen a mile wide, thundered across the dusty plain. Screaming, like banshees and brandishing bayonets that glinted in the dying sun, they were terrifying, unstoppable. The Turkish lines were breached and the day won. Amazingly, only 36 out of those gallant 800 Light Horsemen lost their lives in that incredible charge.

There was some wonderful and clever riding, fabulous scenery and simulated pyrotechnics /strobe lighting, and finished with the Australian Flag on horseback accompanied by the appropriate music.

To top it off, we had the best seats in the house for this wonderful evening ! Thanks guys.

Our 34th

Anniversary last Saturday - The day was a good one, Frank and I went to a great little farmers market at 7 a.m. - super fresh food there, we then picked Col and Den up from their apartment, then some relaxation, the boys read on the patio, Col took photos, and I was occupied doing something or other. Late afternoon it clouded over a bit, however we still decided to walk to the Golf Club for an anniversary toast - this we did!

Then back home for a barbeque, and to try out the great looking apple pie and a few other goodies which we had found at the markets that morning.

The pie was delish as was the company.

ANZAC DAY - Morning Service - Burleigh Heads

Rosemary is worn for the ANZACS

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Col, Den, Frank and I attended the 9.30 ANZAC Service at Burleigh Heads. The Gold Coast Council sets up this lovely park for the service. The crosses with poppies represent each Burleigh Head digger who has died since World War 1.

The March - both the New Zealand and Australian Flags are flown.

And both anthems are sung, along with "God Save the Queen".

Kids used the giant Fig tree to get a better position.

A Proud Digger

A young cadet and the great grandson proudly weaing his medals.

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Burleigh Beach after the Service

We then drove to Rainbow Bay and Kirra Beach to show Col and Den this area! Time to stop at the Currumbin Surf Lifesaving Club at Elephant Rock for a cold OJ.

Gaven State School's Memorial to the Diggers at the foot of Elephant Rock

ANZAC DAY - Dawn Service

ANZAC DAY is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25th April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War 1. It now broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga. The Gold coast had many different services, but one of the most moving is the dawn service held at Elephant Rock on Currumbin Beach - some 8,000 people turned up for this at 5a.m.

The 14th Lighthorse Brigade from Mudgereeba

This 86 year old lady accompanied the rowers in their lifeboat from the Currumbin Surf Lifesaving Club out to scatter her husband's ashes into the sea.

The Currumbin SLSC raise their oars in respect of those Diggers who have passed away since last Anzac dawn service.

The crowds at this Dawn Service

Photo below - cousin Ash, Sue, Maddy, Alex and Lachy at this service - they take a picnic breakfast with them so they can relax after such a moving Service.