The Poinsiana blooms

The sun is shining again, and it's very warm but whose complaining. We are delighted the Poinsiana's are starting to bloom, they were an absolute picture Christmas 2009, and in 2010 hardly any of them bloomed (foul weather I think) and only 3 weeks ago we swore that they were about to die en mass, but all of a sudden they have come to life.

Paradise Springs Avenue (alongside the Golf Course) will be a picture in a couple of weeks, when they are all in flower.

This morning we did our long walk at 6am, then a few hours later walked down to the Golf Club for the Resident's Meeting - Christmas Party Wednesday week.

Looking forward to that, as we are presently tormenting ourselves on the Dukan high protein diet - and will take that night off to consume turkey, ham and a couple of vinos, and revert again the next morning!! It does seem to be working a little, 'specially for Frank.

This week is really busy and a doozy to say the least - loads of things going on, but the Christmas Tree is up, always a delight in my books, and the Brig has sorted out our garden lights, so we are ready.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving, a very special celebration in the USA with family and friends, it was one we treasured so much. We want to wish our very close friends and family a wonderful day, would love to be there with you. ENJOY.

Lake Wanaka, N.Z.

Have just received these photos from N.Z. Col and Den, and Col's sister (also a friend from 40 plus years ago) Francis and Chester, they took time out last week for a 5 day break - no particular reason, in the South Island of N.Z. at beautiful Lake Wanaka.

And of course they took time out to visit one of N.Z.'s top vineyards, actually probably a few of them.

We will be going to Auckland in mid January for a couple of weeks, and are really looking forward to catching up with Col and Francis and their whole family again.

Col and Den took this snap of us at our Golf Club on their last trip here this past August.

The Kombi Arrives

This photo above of Alex and his pretty partner, Daniele, arriving via Kombi at the Marriot Resort for St. Micheals College formal, has appeared in the Gold Coast Bulletin Newspaper - Alex's Mum, Sue has just let me know.

Apparently both Maddie and Alex told their parents it was really the very best night of their lives, they just loved every minute of their formal - it was far better than the "after party". They are both off to Bali for a week next Wednesday, then home to wait for their results - don't think there will be a problem there either.

The Twins end of School Formal

Yesterday afternoon I popped over to my cousin Ash's place to have a look at Sue and Ash's twins, Maddie and Alex in their attire for their end of School Formal at the Gold Coast Marriott.

Alex and Maddie together

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By surprise, Maddie was dressed way before Alex

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Loved Maddie's hair

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Maddie and Alex with their grandmother, Auntie Beryl (Mum's baby sister)

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And their chosen transport to the Formal with their partners - Maddie, a Rolla, Alex, a Kombi!!

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Next they are both off to Bali, with a small group of friends for "Schoolies week", neither Formals of Schoolies Week existed in our day.

Wedding at St. Andrews

Yesterday we attended a charming wedding, hosted by our neighbours and friends Kumi and Bob. The young couple had flown in from Japan the day prior. The bride, Yuki is a radio interviewer in Japan, and on many occasions has interviewed Kumi on air, when she promotes the Gold Coast as a tourism destination for the Japanese. Anyway on their last trip over to Japan for one of Kumi's Opera shows, the arrangements for this Aussie wedding was made.

They chose the St. Andrews Chapel at Robina Woods - built in 1883.

Frank with other neighbours - Suman (a retired Dr) was all decked out in her Sari and piles of jewellery - that's the Indian way for weddings - bright colour and lots of gold she says, and her friend Jag who is over from Minnesota for a couple of months, and Connie hiding in the background.

Bob escorted Yuki down the aisle, and Kumi was the organ player for this event

Yuki and Natsuki were enthralled with Kumi's rendition of Ave Maria, as we all were.

Kumi was also the intepreter - for the Japanese Guests and Natsuki (no english)

40 of us then headed back to Kumi and Bob's - next door to us.

and enjoyed a wonderful party - Kumi had done all the catering - loads of fresh seafood and it was just super. Barry had made a huge Aussie trifle for dessert - which was delish.

A well known Jazz pianist took over the baby grande, he was superb accompanying Kumi on some of her new jazz numbers - really magic.

The wedding cake was another "unjapanese" surprise, as was the Suite booked for them at the Versace Hotel at Broadwater by the Gold Coast Tourism Management.

Yuki, joins the Brig, and the neighbours next door to Bob and Kumi and us, Barry and Barry - never get their names mixed up - fun company.

It truly was a delightful day, with super food and music, a day Yuki and Natsuki will always remember.

Another win for the Gold Coast

On the same day as the Commonwealth Games Bid was announced, the Gold Coast had another win, Sally Pearson - world champion hurdler, was named Female Athelete of the World in Monaco, with Usain Bolt winning the Male Athelete of the World, for the 3rd or 4th time.

Sally and Usain were also both named World Youth Champions in 2003.

The Gold Coast wins the Commonwealth Games bid for 2018

This morning it was announced that the Gold Coast has won the opportunity to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

She does have a great deal of accommodation

and of course she already has many of the facilities needed, with a little "tart-up" here and there.

So great news for the Gold Coast - great for its number ONE industry "TOURISM"

Remembrance Day

A special day - to take time to think and remember as we did today "Remembrance Day - the signing of the Armistice which occurred on 11th November 1918- signed on the 11th hour, 11th day, and 11th month, and this is in the 2011 year. We spent quite a bit of time in the Somme in 2003, visiting as many memorials as possible, incredibly moving, and in 2000 we spent D Day in Normandy, I still remember every minute. I have always loved the red flanders poppy, but today did a tad of research on this incredibly "alive" flower and why it symbolizes Remembrance (Armistice) Day. The red poppies were among the first plants that sprouted from the devastation of the battlefields of northern France and Belgium. As a metaphor the red poppy is compelling. Poppies grow best in disturbed soil - they quickly carpeted the mud of no mans land when war finally ended in 1918. Red symbolised the blood of soldiers, and the poppy, traditionally associated with opiates promised an end to the pain. During the early days of the Second Battle of Ypres a young Canadian artillery officer was killed on 2nd May, 1915. The Brigade doctor, John McCrae was asked to conduct the buriel service, it is believed that later that evening, John began the draft of his now famous poem - "In Flanders Fields". John McCrae died in 1918.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

by John McCrae, May 1915

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In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place, and in the sky

The Larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

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We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and wer loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields

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Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch: be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

There is also the story of an American woman, Moina Michael, also known as the "Poppy Lady", who was so moved by this poem that she assisted with some major moves after the end of WW1 for this flower to be used for Rememberance - she wrote a book called "The Miracle Flower - The story of the Flanders Fields Memorial Poppy.

Spring is here

Spring has eventually sprung on the Gold Coast - she has been an unusually ordinary winter and early spring. Anyway the sun is shining and the jasmin along our side fence is in full bloom right now.

The Citrus and herbs all have their heads up now

Slowly but surely the Photinia and Rain Trees

are growing and just starting to disguise that fence

and the jasmine is blooming along the border as well

Next doors Jacaranda is in colour

and the Balloons are crossing our garden very early morning

Delightful

Sunny Queensland is back!!

MELBOURNE CUP

Yesterday was Melbourne Cup Day, the one event that basically halts this nation, a 6 million dollar horse race always held on the first Tuesday in November. We have had many special Melbourne Cup Days over the years, but yesterday we went local - walked to the Colonial Golf Club for their Melbourne Cup Luncheon.

There were about 120 locals at the Lunch

As usual the Golf Club gave us an impressive entrance - plus a glass of champers.

Our table - off course we couldn't resist getting into the "sweepstakes"

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A super 3 course luncheon, with the above for desert, thank goodness we walked a titbit of this off on the way home.

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This young local lady deserved her win as the Best Dressed "young" Filly at our luncheon.

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The horse and jockeys head to the track in Melbourne (we of course watched and cheered all this on the 3 big screens at the Club)

The finish was a very close call - the closest ever - look at the horse on the right, stretching its neck out and the ears flat back - determined I would say.

And here is the finish,

the horse with the ears back won, by a nose hair,

AND so did Frank,

he had this french thoroughbred "Dunaden" in the Sweep,

the reward nearly paid for our delightful lunch.

Lovely Day