Our last ten days have had their ups, but unfortunately one very sad happening. My mother's eldest sister, Inez died on August 10th August, she was 97 years old, a gracious lady who had lived a very healthy life, up until the past couple of years.
Auntie's Memorial Service was held at the All Saints Anglican Church, in Hunters Hill, Sydney on Tuesday. We, along with the other family members in Queensland flew down to Sydney for the Service. Sadly there are only two of the 11 siblings left now, Auntie Beryl and Uncle John, the youngest daughter and son.
Some of us had 3 to 4 hours spare before we caught our return flights, so we gathered together for a couple of hours at the Phillipe Foote's Inn at the Rocks.
L to R. Wayne, Ann, the Brig, Ashley, Uncle John, and in front Auntie Beryl and Neirdre.
*****
Before Auntie Inez died, Col and Den, Jenny and Chappy were across from Auckland - staying in Broadbeach - got to spend a couple of days with Col and Den, and one of those days Den and Chappy played golf at our Colonial Golf Course, which we followed with a barbeque back at our place.
The boys at the 18th Hole
*****
RED DOG
Last Wednesday we took Auntie Beryl to the Cinema to see the new aussie movie "Red Dog" .
A very different movie, which we absolutely adored, and will be going to see it again - Children in the audience clapped at the end of it - as did we, lovely.
It's basically a group of stories about a red kelpie/cattle dog cross who wandered around the Pilbara during the 1970's, spending a lot of time in Dampier - one of North Western Australia's mining towns (iron ore and salt). Red Dog was a paid member of the Transport Workers Union (he hitched enough rides) and the Dampier Salt sports Social Club, and someone opened a bank account for him.
Koko above played the part of "Red Dog" - just incredible.
*****
I loved the varying personalities in this movie, many different nationalities working in the "all male"mines in the 1970's, taking the mick out of each other, and just developing great mateship in these hardy stark surrounds - it didn't matter where they came from??.
It reminded me of the 2 years I spent working in a similar multi national situation (1969 and 1970) in the Snowy Mountains Hydro Authority, just very different surrounding scenery - snowy Mountains to the red Pilbara.
Frank and I spent some time in the Pilbara, and it's different towns in 2004, in fact we were lucky to do a Mail flight from Newman delivering mail via a 4 seater plane to really some outback huge properties. We do love the Pilbara region, the mining towns, and of course the stunning Chichester ranges.
They called "Red Dog" the "Pilbara Wanderer", and to celebrate his incredible life and mateship to all he met, there is a statue honoring him near Dampier.
Red Dog - The Pilbara Wanderer
Died November 21st, 1979
Erected by the many friends made during his travels
I am not quite sure how this movie will go overseas - the weird Aussie humour, the lack of political or social correctness, the absence of foul language, it is just so very basic, but in my books so really good. And to top it off, we love those Red Kelpie dogs, as we had one on the farm for years, named "Soos". When we sold the farm, she moved down to Uncle John's property in Bombala for the last 5 years of her life - Soos did not like suburbia or beaches - just herding goats and sheep!!.
Our Soos above - and her mode of transport (during a storm) at feed up time on our farm.!!
*****
Last Saturday Bob came around for his "Birthday" lunch, Kumi was in Japan, due back next Monday. Sunday we went to Suman's for a Curry lunch and to meet a few other neighbours - food was superb, came home and flaked for a couple of hours.
We were due to leave last Monday for the Sunshine Coast and the Gympie Muster in the Caravan, but as we really wanted to attend Auntie Inez's Service, we decided to forget the Caravan part, and we will now go up there this coming week for 3 nights, one with friends (who we met in the Pilbara in 2004) and then two nights in a motel and a visit to the "Gympie Muster" for a day.
*****
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK
Frank's eldest Grandson - Jack, turned 11 yesterday in St. Paul, Minnesota. Photo above is of Jack and his maternal Nana in St. Paul.
This photo above is of Gilly on the elephant "Jubilani". Camp Jubilani is named after this particular elephant who was rescued from a bog as a very young one, and was basically the reason for this camp being established - they now have about half a dozen mature elephants and some young ones. - Gilly enjoyed about an hour and a half astride this gentle giant.
Now Geoffrey has always been a "bird with wings" man, so feeding a vulture probably did not deter him at all. When they had their Angora Goat farm, he also had a large aviary, and a few peacocks roaming around as well. Personally, I think Gilly chose my preferred venture - elephant rather than vulture???
Gilly and Geoff are amazed at the their different guides eyesights, and their ability to spot the animals in the wild - they have seen the Big 5 - elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino, as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, crocs, impala but fortunately no snakes.
There is still a lot more on their agenda, but to date they have visited 3 National Parks, seen herds of animals, amazing cats, horrific roads, dancing with the Maasai, tracking animals, walking into the bottom of the crater of a volcano and now off to Tanzania. They say they are putting on weight, but I guess early morning walks in the wilds of Africa is not really that wise!!
Murano is a cluster of islands, joined by bridges and is the centre of the glassmaking industry, and has been since 1291. Glass artisans were granted huge privileges, but in past centuries were not encouraged to leave the Islands, the penalties being quite extreme in some cases.
We reboarded our boat and headed across to Burano
Burano was one of the places we were really looking forward to visiting
A good couple of hours was spent over a super local style lunch,
Loved their spring "wall" flowers
and we are back in the Canal Grande, with its Gondoliers!
We decided to roam a little more
across the small canals
just checking it out
It really is quite active, and so interesting
with the exception of "ever" ending up in any of these Canals!!!
Stephanie says - only the consumption of much Grappa, prior to your descent into the canal, is the sole thing that can preserve you - she said it saved her many years ago !!!
Of course, it could have attributed to Steph's descent as well!!
Stepped up and down many bridges
on our way to San Marco 
Just gorgeous
Such a really fun group 
and of course our rather witty boss - Stephanie - just had to have her very last say!!!.
