Brad's 40th + new student

Saturday 26th September we, once again, headed off to 'The Hall's'... as mentioned in a previous blog, Brad's 40th has recently come and gone and tonight was time to celebrate the big four-oh!  (Benjamin even came... now THAT is special hey Emma)

Weren't sure of what pressie to get Brad, so decided to buy the birthday cake.  Wow! It was fabulous too.  Went down well with everyone.  It was a great night - as usual the food was fantastic.  Catherine always seems to just make anything simple turn out looking so flash!  (yep..that asparagus was 'the bomb'!)  Brad cooked the meat in the Weber (or Weeber, as pronounced by South Africans) - yummmo!!

I gave Emma 'total control' over my camera for the night and she took heaps of pics! By the time this blog is posted the photos will be attached.

By the end of the night (or rather, MY end of the night), I had acquired a new student. Val's sister-in-law asked me if I would teach their eldest son - cool!  They live at Highfields and come into town a few afternoons during the week so should work out well.

Toys

is it a toy truck?.... a scooter?....skateboard, maybe a bike?..... nuh.... It's a car.  MY son, who was the biggest bike-aholic on the planet growing up (if he wasn't buying one, he was swapping one, or making one) has bought a car.  Yep, between him and Ryan.... they have purchased and towed to MY PLACE a car (total cost, including towing - $250).

Now my initial thought was it was to be done up to be his first car (I was having many nervous breakdowns all in the space of about 5 minutes).  Later on, he calmed me down a bit by saying 'Mum! Do you think I'm an idiot?!!'  (what do I say to that? So I said nothing)  

Darren's away in Brisbane for training at the moment, so there just happens to be a vacant spot in MY garage.  It is vacant no more. This 'car' (entitled 'Shit-Box Cressida' in the ad) is now a temporary fixture next to MY Peugeot. When I left for work this morning it had moved outside so the boys could 'work on it'.

Now all jokes aside... the boys are excited and good on them!  As long as it has moved further afield by Friday/Saturday when Darren gets home with HIS new car then all will be fine. Their new purchase has air con, power windows, radio and they all work!  The engine actually sounds ok and Ryan is in the process of patching the few leaks it has.  (Apparently this red putty stuff 'is the go Mum'!  Cool - I must get some).

Five Oh!

Well the 10th September has come and gone and yep, Darren's now 50.  His fantastic! cousin, Judy, gave him this huge bottle of clinkers (shown at left).  He had dinner with Judy and Em (her daughter) on Wednesday night.  Now we all know he loves clinkers, but this photo doesn't do justice to the size of the jar!  Suffice to say this first 50th gift was greatly appreciated....

10-9 I got down to Brisbane late Thursday arvo with mudcake cupcakes in tow.  Yes, more chocolate for the old boy.  These cupcakes were delightful - had 12 made and there are still 2 left in the fridge at home - well I'm thinking if Benjamin hasn't got to them they are still there :-)

We had a lovely birthday dinner at a restaurant called 'Alchemy' right next to Customs House on the river.  No, it wasn't cheap, by any means, but oh the food was superb.  Our entrees of Hervey Bay scallops were so yum! Not enough though.  After we'd finished eating we sat out on the balcony and finished our wine with the Story Bridge in full view ..... spectacular.  Grace and Lucas left him a message on the phone (rather a 'singing' message). It was lovely.  We spoke to Brad and Catherine who are in Melbourne for 10 days... had a great chat (Brad turns 40 this month, Catherine was 40 in January, me in March so it really is a big year for the Grainger/Smith/Hall gang).  Will be heading down to the Halls on Sep 26th for Brad's 'do'.

11-9 While Darren had training Friday I went into the city and just looked around (looked being the operative word here. I am a real procrastinator when it comes to buying... anything....!).  Did end up with two pair of shoes and two tops so I was pretty happy with that.  That night we ended up at the SSS barn again for dinner - home to watch the Lions play and then it was time to snore again....

12-9 We headed home Saturday morning - after being in Brisbane for the week Darren was ready to just be home, even if only for a day.  Caught up with Palmers Saturday night (they were the lucky recipients of 5 of the birthday cup cakes).

13-9 Lunch time headed down the range again back for the last week of training. Hopefully this Friday arvo I won't have to go and pick him up - he should have his new BankWest vehicle to drive home.  Unfortunately there's nothing to celebrate this week so I'll have to wait until Friday to see him. 

Two week separation

Yesterday arvo I took Darren to Brisbane to start his two week training with Bankwest, beginning today.  We arrived at Mantra on Queen about 2pm.  The room is quite small, but perfect for what he'll need - for week one anyway.  24th floor - amazing views.....

Before we had dinner at the SSS Barn downstairs we went for a walk along the river - from Admiralty Towers right along past Customs House and turned round at Eagle Street wharf.  It was such a beautiful afternoon - late! afternoon and the view of the river, bridge and city was awesome.

I'll head back on Thursday for the BIG 50 and with a substitute pressie (remember, our cruise is the REAL present) that he'll love!! (or rather his taste buds will love)  

Until next time....

Father's Day 2009

I remember Dad's last 'Fathers Day' - 5 years ago we gave him a DVD player with a few of his fav. shows (Mrs. Bouquet, Are You Being Served and another one I can't think of).  I must find the photos and add them along with this blog....  (hours later.... here they are)

       Dad was never great with electronic gadgets - check out the look on his face

After Dad died we gave the DVD player to Nubeena - the staff were so wonderful looking after Dad, and leaving it for the 'oldies' to use seemed like a great idea.  Here's hoping it's still going strong.

.....Happy Father's Day Dad....

Heading west

Darren's last day today with NAB - handed his laptop, phone and car! in at 11am. He heads to Brisbane on Monday for two weeks training with Bankwest. Here's hoping it's been a good decision - it looks great so far. He's off to have lunch with Mel who was his initial point of contact when applying for the NAB position. She's really lovely and was so so nice and helpful to Darren right from the start.

Tonight we're having dinner with Robyn to celebrate the impending 50th + the new job (Ludi has a friend with her for the weekend so it won't be our usual 'dinner for four'). We're off to 'Images' (Graham Cosgrove's lovely restaurant) so rest assured it will be a yummy dinner.

Looking at the Top of the Table

We were up at Picnic Point a few weeks ago, late one afternoon.... had the best view of Tabletop - most of it covered in shade...looked beautiful.

Just some random flowers I took a photo of on our way back to the car.

View looking down the range