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.

Up to the Hinterland

This morning the sun was shining again - have had a couple of wet days this week, but today was lovely. We picked up Col and Den and drove up to Mount Tamborine in the hinterland just north west of the Gold Coast - wandered around rather slowly, Frank and Den were extremely patient with Col and I - and our meandering, we just really enjoyed the whole area.

Chosen place of relaxation post wandering!!!

And last night we decided to test one of the "special deals" at the Southport Yacht Club. The great thing about the Gold Coast is the amount of competition - so many places to eat at, and so many offering great deals.. Anyway picked up Col and Den to try this one out. "2 courses for $20, or 3 for $25", we opted for the 2 courses, and it was wonderful, Col and Frank chose the grilled Barramundi with fresh Asparagus, preceeded by an excellent calamari salad, and so on - everyone was happy, service was excellent, as was the activity on the Broadwater in front of the club.

The Marina Mirage all "lit up"

Great deal - Great Evening!

Mikie's first Akubra

I received these photos of young Mikie today trying on his Mum's Akubra in Alice Springs - what a character this young man is - "a little bloke ready for his next trip out with his folks , touring and photographing this big and colourful country".

A very pleasant Monday

Yesterday, another very nice day on the Coast, we went to Tedder Avenue, Main Beach, to meet up with Sue and John from Adelaide, a couple we met in 2000 on our cruise through the Kimberley, (Broome to Darwin). We have kept in contact and met up with them on a few other occasions. Anyway they were in Main Beach for the week so we joined them for a light lunch at one of the many cafes in Tedder Avenue - loads of catch up talk, then we decided to take on a walk. First stop was the Southport Yacht Club, very pleasant and casual. The Australian -American Club which we are members of, meet here once a month for drinks and a catch up.

Next was a stroll along to the MARINA MIRAGE - we had not been actually inside before, had no idea that there were such lovely fashion shops inside - kept wallets closed, but thoroughly enjoyed our very slow meander around. Next door to the Mirage is THE PALAZZO VERSACE - so whilst in the area we decided to go in and inspect at least the Foyer - pretty impressive! The pool area was stunning, but as we were not paying residents, entry was forbidden! We are looking forward to this weekend, Col and Den flew in from Auckland last Saturday, we picked them up at the Gold Coast Airport and took them to the apartment they had booked for this week, then on Saturday they join us for 3 days, will be celebrating their Anniversary on 25th, and ours on 24th. A couple of nice things planned.

In 1967!!!!!!

Well, 43 years ago, I moved from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, and somehow or other moved into a house in Mount Eden, 3 streets from the magic Rugby ground - Eden Park - with a group of girls I had never met!!. We clicked, all from totally different lives and families, but it worked! Our abode below as it was 43 years ago!!!.

Col I, Sandy and I (note our false eyelashes)

Then came the 2nd Col (Eastwood) on the left with the other Col (Innes) on the right - with good old George, a gentleman who, with his wife Bubbles lived down the street, and used to organise birthday parties for us, as we were all away from family - and they generally just kept an eye on our well being.

Then there was Chappy, one of the Aussie guys who rented a house in the next street. He met young Jen below, married her, and has been in New Zealand now for 43 years. Somehow or other Jen just fitted in with us really well.

The House as she looks today!! This year 21 of us made it to the REUNION in NAPIER, NZ. All grouped at the oldest vineyard in New Zealand - THE MISSION

Glorious building and grounds

Jen, Col E., moi and Col I. -the Camp Mother and organiser of this Reunion!

Sandy and her husband Tom - (why she has a knife near his chest, I would not question???) - these are the creative "embroiderers"(they are now designing for both The Hobbit and Mad Max 4)

Out for lunch after our Hawkes Bay Vineyard tour

First dinner at the Motel - tables and chairs removed from each room, flower decorations of course, and our chief chefs, Den, Frank and Don barbequed as well as they did when we got together 2 years ago. Just amazing how well the guys get along - none of them were with any of us 43 years ago, except Chappy and Jen.

Last dinner at the Motel - it was raining, so we asked the owners if we could move all our tables, chairs, flower decorations and food to under the Reception Portico, and we invited the owners to join us. - They immediately changed their sign to NO VACANCIES, they joined us and we had a lovely evening - again!!!!

Below - 2nd and 3rd on left - owners of the Motel - Ngaire and Jim!

Next Reunion - 2012, in either Queenstown on the South Island of NZ, or the Blue Mountains in Oz.