Today we were invited to a Christmas luncheon in Sydney. There was some lovely food and drinks. And good conversation with a lot of people. Here are some pictures of some of the people that we have known for many years.
There were salads and lots of prawns to eat and lovely sweets for desert. I did not think of taking pictures when the lunch started, but I took some photos towards the end.
We took a train back to Dapto. Peter suggested we could go for dinner the the German Club where perhaps they might have some meat rolls. He was lucky, they did have meat rolls with red cabbage and dumplings. I chose a deep fried Camenbert Cheese which was very tasty. Peter loved his meal very much too.
The hostage crisis started on Monday, the 15th December and went on for 17 hours. All week there was a constant stream of people with flowers and expressions of sympathy. Today on Sunday more and more people came to Martin Place to pray and lay flowers. We experienced a very peaceful atmosphere. And we had the feeling that people took everything very much to heart.
Soon it is going to be the fourth of Advent. A dear friend gave me this blue runner on the table just a few weeks ago and her daughter Amanda gave us some cute little puppets with Christmas cards a few years ago. These things came in a little bag which I kept for all these years with our Christmas things. I always loved these gifts and today I thought all this would make a good subject for Advent to take some pictures of!
Last Monday we happened to sleep in a bit. We are usually quite early risers. That we slept in was really something out of the ordinary. Peter was upset when he woke up so late. He had planned on being at the Medical Centre by 7,30 am so he could be booked in for his visit to the doctor who was due to arrive at 8 am. Since we did sleep for too long, he did not arrive at the centre in time. By the time he did get there, eight people had already booked in before him. I think I had a banana before we left. But Peter wanted to rush off. He did not want any coffee, and he did not even have time to eat a banana.
As I mentioned in my previous blog, we had time for some hot drinks at the guru Cafe while Peter was waiting for his turn to see his doctor. But we actually survived without any food till we had this lovely bit of fruit salad. The fruit salad was wonderful, very fresh and with different varieties of fruit in it.
Peter was in the end quite happy the way the morning had turned out for he did get good test results. He was very relieved about this. And I was happy that I finally made myself try on and buy something new to wear. On top of it I must say the day was a lucky day for me because everything I bought was reduced by 40% or more!
On Monday we were early in the Dapto Shopping Centre. Peter had to go across the road to the Medical Centre to get his test results. He booked in and found out there were already eight people in front of him to see this particular doctor that he wanted to see. So he had to wait for well over an hour till it was his turn. In the meantime he came back to the shopping centre where I was waiting. We decided we would spend some time in the guru Cafe that had just opened up.
Here the cafe was still closed.
Flat white coffee for Peter and tea for me
These apparently are some prizes that people can win in a Christmas raffle.I took this picture while Peter was over at the Medical Centre.I noticed this wooden Advent calendar in the window.I noticed it was not cheap, but then you can probably use it repeatedly, inserting a little treat into the boxes!
Soon after Peter had left again to see his doctor I ventured towards some shops where some special sales were going on. One shop offered reductions of 40% and more! I bought several items and was surprised how little I had to pay in the end. I bought new swimmers, several tops and a long skirt. All this within less than an hour. I had time to spare for Peter was not back yet. I took more pictures. Eventually I bought myself a small container with fruit salad which turned out to be delicious.
When Peter finally returned he apologized for having taken so long. But I told him I had spent the time well and that it had been all right waiting for him. I was just happy when he told me that all the tests had turned out well. He does not need any more treatment. But he has to see the doctor again in the New Year. The doctor had said that his blood pressure had been a bit high, meaning that he might perhaps need some more medication.
I told Peter about the delicious fruit salad. I talked him into it buying some for himself too. Yes, he liked it! And before we went home, we did a bit more shopping in the fruit shop.
My knee had been playing up again and I was glad I had my walking stick with me.
NBN means ‘National Broadband Network’. We are the lucky ones, it has come to Dapto already!
This is at the top story of Dapto Shopping Centre. This time I did not take any pictures downstairs.
On the second Sunday of Advent we visited Monika and Mark. They had been in the process of celebrating three birthdays: Monika’s, Mark’s and the 21st birthday of Mark’s daughter Tiana. There was some cake left from the previous night of celebrations:
When we were at Monika’s place another thunderstorm came up with heavy rain. This was about the fifth thunderstorm in a row. The clouds built up during the day and then it started to rain. A bit like in the tropics. The doctor had prescribed antibiotics for Peter’s infection. On the third Sunday of Advent was the first time when he did not have to visit the toilet that much anymore. Today he has to see the doctor again to find out about the test results.
These are some decorations from the shopping centre.
I asked Ayleen’s permission to take a picture of her Christmas Tree. I noticed quite a few gifts under the tree. In the conversation I found out that Ayleen’s family is very large. Sometimes they are close to thirty people when they meet for Christmas dinner with the extended family at a restaurant.
On the eve of the third Sunday of Advent I went to Mass with Ayleen. Her daughter Loraine was happy to take us there and back.
This is a photo of Ayleen and me at a Christmas party a few weeks ago.
AuntyUta 