Uta’s Diary: What did I do in September 2016?

Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney

In Sydney happened to be “The Festival of Dangerous Ideas”. As part of the festival there was a talk in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, and we had tickets for this event. We were sitting very high up in the CIRCLE. David Marr and Annabel Crabb talked about: “Do we have the government we deserve?” This was on Saturday, the 3rd of September.

https://auntyuta.com/tag/festival-of-dangerous-ideas-in-sydney/

On Sunday, the 4th of September was Fathers’ Day in Australia. We met the family at the German Club:

https://auntyuta.com/2016/09/05/utas-diary-5th-of-sep-2016/

We tried to improve our backyard:

https://auntyuta.com/2016/09/13/utas-diary-september-2016-2/

On Thursday, the 15th of September, I had lunch with a seniors’ group at the Dapto Leagues Club. I am a member of that group. The membership includes gentle movement exercises on Thursdays from 12,30 to 1,30pm. But recently we have become short of people who want to do the exercises. We are looking for new participants who are willing and able to do these gentle exercises. Personally I feel, that these exercises are very beneficial for me. Not only that, they are also tremendous fun for our instructor, Marta, has always great music to go with the exercises.

From the 20th to the 22nd of September Peter and I stayed in a hotel in Sydney:

https://auntyuta.com/2016/09/23/frolicking-around-sydney/

On Saturday, the 25th of September, we saw in the Griffin Theater in Sydney a play called “Gloria” with Marta Dusseldorp.

Then on Sunday, the 26th of September, was a birthday celebration for Alexander, who turned two:

https://auntyuta.com/2016/09/26/alexanders-second-birthday/

Finally, on Monday, the 26th of September, was the women residents’ afternoon at Irene’s place. I remember I felt rather tired that day. One woman had to leave a bit early. I decided then that it would be best for me to leave together with her. But all our Friday afternoon games afternoons I survived in good spirits.

I sometimes feel that I would like to stay home more. I mean I like to go out and do different things. However at times it becomes a bit too hectic for me and I feel the need to slow down somewhat. After all, I am not a spring chicken anymore!

dscn2239 However, Peter and I were able to do a bit more gardening to improve our backyard. Today we did not go out at all because all day we had very stormy weather. These wind gusts have been blowing nearly none-stop since yesterday.

Uta’s Diary, Monday, 15th September 2014

SIXTY-year-old grandmother Myra Gold was asleep when four police officers raided her home.

They were deployed to confiscate her phone, dig through her rubbish and search her car.

For stickers.

Anti-G20 stickers.

If ou want to read more about this please go to

http://aussiejustice.wordpress.com/2014/09/13/big-brother-watch-out-forget-about-the-g20-sticker-blitz-another-kind-of-revelry-may-be-a-thorny-issue-cairns-post/

I glanced over newly published blogs that I had not seen yet when I came across the above one. It made me realise that more and more we are not allowed to say any more what we think. I want to point out here that I am in principle not against the G20, not at all. I mean I too may have some objections but I want the G20 to go ahead. However, I do not believe the meeting is going to be stopped by some people displaying a few stickers. I am very concerned when people are not allowed to voice their objections any more. What sort of a world do we live in when security forces over react to such an extent? Does our government want to stay in power by scaring us to death?

On a lighter note, we had a lovely day in Sydney yesterday. We saw Caroline and Matthew. We also saw quite briefly Matthew’s daughter Alex who came with her boyfriend to take Matthew out for lunch for a belated Father’s Day meeting. Caroline and Matthew showed us heaps of beautiful photos from their short stay in Bali. They packed a lot of things into the few days there including their friends’ Wedding Reception, which was the reason for this trip.

After we had some coffee Matthew left for his lunch and we had lunch with Caroline. Rather than go to the park for a picnic lunch, we did eat our salads at Caroline’s place and had a cup of tea also. We assumed the park would be packed full of people since it had turned out to be a beautiful sunny day. After lunch Caroline drove us to Centennial Park. She soon managed to find a parking spot. There were hardly any spots left, even though it is a huge park with parking all along the different drive-ways that go through the park.

We then had a lovely walk in our toe shoes. A few hours later Matthew had arrived back home and we had tea and excellent pieces of cake with him before driving back to Dapto.

Caroline and Matthew had given Peter a bottle of duty free Hennessey as a belated Father’s Day gift. It was great that we could go on this outing to Sydney and meet Caroline and Matthew after their exciting trip. I had been somewhat concerned that maybe Bali was not such a safe place to visit. But it turned out that my concerns had been totally unwarranted.

Caroline's Toe Shoes — Caroline’s Toe Shoes

There were a lot of these flowers in the grass where we were walking.

One of these flowers got stuck between my toes.

PS: Here is another update.

http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/09/14/blair-urges-air-strikes-against-scotland-in-event-of-yes-vote/

Does this make your mind boggle?

Father’s Day last Year

On Sunday, the 2nd of September 2012, Peter and I had a lovely day with our youngest daughter. This was Fathers Day here in Australia!

DSCN3532 — We took a walk to this lovely lake site.

Last Tuesday, 17th September 2013, we took a walk to this part of the lake. It rained a little bit. We mentioned to Martin, our son, who was with us, that we had been here last year on Father’s Day with daughter Caroline. On that day last year there had been glorious sunshine as can be seen on these pictures from last year.

Martin found out later, that this spot was actually on one of the two arms of Mullet Creek which both go into Lake Illawarra.

DSCN3533 — Peter took this picture of Caroline and me on Father’s Day in 2012

DSCN3525 — Along this footpath we walked back to where the car was parked

DSCN3547 — At Forest Grove we were being served beautifully brewed tea which was being kept hot with tea-lights.

Peter on Father’s Day 2012

Final Days before our Big Trip

On Saturday, the 1st of September, was Natasha’s 21st Birthday Party.

On Sunday, the 2nd, Peter and I had a lovely day with our youngest daughter. This was Fathers Day here in Australia!

We did collect the ashes on Tuesday and settled the payment for the funeral. We told them that they provided an excellent service and that we can highly recommend them. It is a family run establishment. We felt very well looked after and can’t thank them enough. They really did their very best with all the funeral arrangements.

We saw Baby Lucas with his Mum and Dad on Saturday. I was allowed to hold the little man for a bit. He is so lovely! Peter was at the back near the big garage where the party had already started. By the time Peter thought of taking pictures of little Lucas, his Mum had taken him home already. But we might get a chance for pics tomorrow night. Our daughter Monika and some of her family want to come to our place to farewell us before we leave for Sydney on Friday.

On Friday we’re going to stay overnight in Sydney at daughter Caroline’s place from where Caroline is going to drive us to the airport on Saturday. Our plane leaves Sydney at 14.00 hrs (2 pm).

The pictures start with Saturday’s party, then there are some pics from Fathers Day, followed by pics from our outing to the Western Suburbs of Sydney, where we picked up the ashes. After lunch at Merrylands we went to the Central Park at Merrylands West. By 2 pm we were at our late daughter Gaby’s place where we saw David and also four caring friends of our daughter’s. They had come because someone was expected to pick up all the equipment our daughter had been using. I think her iron lung is supposed to go to a museum.

DSCN3471 — this is the sweet Birthday Girl

DSCN3472 — One of the very welcome outside gas heaters

DSCN3485 — A peek at the birthday cake in the fridge.

DSCN3487 — Natasha’s Mum baked the cake herself. Here she puts the finishing touches to it.

DSCN3501 — Grandma is having a good time

DSCN3508 — Monika sees to it that people can try the cowboy hat on for a drink!

DSCN3504 — Peter is taking a rest after taking all these pics

There were people dancing to disco music in the spare garage but I am afraid I haven’t got any pictures of this. Amazingly Grandma had one dance with Grandpa and very much enjoyed it. It’s so good to still be able to enjoy a bit of dancing!
So this was Saturday night. Now come the Sunday pictures.