share some Christmas family fun

At a recent gathering of the Marshall clan, we asked the question:
"Where would we like to be for the Xmas festivities?"

The answer for Xmas Eve was Switzerland; at our place.

Baby it was cold outside; inside a balmy 19 degrees.
This family were prepared for all weathers. Unfortunately Manda sustained a broken arm on the ski field in the days before.

Although concerned about misplaced passports, border control let this group in as well. 

Here's dedication to the theme!

Of course Fondue was on the menu. (minor flame control issues, but it tasted good!) 

Warm ears are sooo important.

Turkey roast, rosti and beans with pomegranate seeds for mains.

...... and it had to be a chocolate fondue for dessert.

Thank you to David for bringing the Swiss chocolate with him from Lake Constanz

 This little fella kept the function interesting.

... and when the last hot cocoa and piece of custard drenched pudding was finished the tired and happy visitors headed home to prepare for Santa.

Attempt a catch up.

Here I am finally with 10 minutes available to catch up and post another blog entry.

Today's catch up is about a great exhibition still on at the Qld Art gallery; or QAG as it's being referred to currently.

'California Dreaming'.
What's really interesting to me about this exhibition is how familiar the objects and lifestyle are.
I guess growing up in the 60's in Brisbane was akin to California.

What do you think?

went over the hill, vicariously.

Paul and Myles are planning on climbing Kilimanjaro next year and have commenced training.  This weekend it was a short trek up Mt Warning, near Murwillumbah - 5 hours, 9kms and an altitude gain of several hundred meters.

There was the day before reconnoitre. Track sign, trees, Suzanne on ipad in waiting in the carpark (teenagers!).

 

 

Then it was off to find dinner in Murwillumbah.

An early start is required to see the sunrise - 2 hours of uphill climbing/walking before the 5.48am sunrise so it was off to bed early.

The first part of the climb is in darkness (because the sun hasn't risen yet, for anyone wondering why.) Onward and upward. And upward, And upward......

As you climb, after about an hour and a half, the light starts to increase and you can see some of the scenery unfolding.

 

And eventually the youngsters reach the summit.  Some time later the more worldly wise also summit. And as you can see the view is worth the effort.

A large group of people also made the early morning effort, about 30 or so this morning. Dec 22nd is shaping as a big morning for the climb, for any druids among you.

On the way down you get a better view of what the way up was like. The last 400 meters is quite steep.

This is not flat, it is almost vertical. You can use the chain to help pull yourself up, but it is not essential.

 

 

 

And then, after a short 4.5 hours and 9km, it is all but a faint memory and the occasional sore muscle.

Especially the calves at this stage.

 

Where next......

issue a wild life alert

An invitation to Manda and Ben's house needs to come with a wildlife alert.

They're actively encouraging the natives to come and visit. There is an uncertain danger.

One never knows when a kookaburra is going to swoop, or when a wallaby is going to land in your lap.

Sure, they pretend they're friendly.....

There's always the other natives to be in awe of as well.

take you to Cranbourne Botanic Gardens

We recently took a fast trip to Melbourne to have 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts with Nick who was there for 10 days of training for his new contract appointment in Uganda.

We'd heard much about Cranbourne Botanic Gardens; that it was 'new landscaping'. So given this opportunity, off we went.

It did not disappoint. Take a stroll with me here.

This garden has just won an International award for landscaping. Well deserved.
It even has a great cafe and gift shop. Nothing else needs to be said!

have another amazing story for you

I guess the previous story wasn't really amazing, just fortuitous.

You may recall that on our last day in London, Paul and I had our passports stolen. We told you then of the miracle replacement with emergency passports that enabled us to leave the UK that night, barely 8 hours after the theft.

Our continued thanks to the staff at Australia House in London and our continued sadness about the fate of the young man involved.

Well; our emergency passports had to be renewed within 12 months or we'd be charged once more.
So one sunny week in September, both Paul and I went through the rigmarole to get these replaced.

In the same week, we received an email reporting that our passports had been 'handed in' to Australia House and that they needed to be collected within 3 weeks.
As much as I tried to convince Paul that we should fly back to England, he insisted on requesting their despatch via airmail back to us.

I am very happy and amazed to say that we now have our stolen passports back with us. They live very comfortably with our new and shiny ones.

Who knows who handed them in? The repentant thief, the constabulary, 007 or Columbian Airlines.

talk about doors

This is a story about our front door.

It's a few years old and has aged and faded. ... a familiar tale.

We  have seen some truly fabulous and colourful doors on our travels.

Paul and I had been at odds about what to do to renovate ours. I was prepared to paint in fire engine red and add wrought iron all over it, but Paul said no!

Family had been privy to these energetic discussions. Lo and behold at a gathering, Manda and Ben and family presented us with a tub of Spanish Red paint.
A test try a day later and Paul decided that he could live with it.

So, without further ado; this is the Da da moment.
See below for a happy ending to this story.