First Sunday after Easter 2014

Yesterday, on Sunday the 27th of April, Peter and I travelled from Dapto Station to Redfern Station. We had a good tasting Hamburger Lunch close to Redfern Station. My Hamburger was made with a chickpea patty, which was delicious. 🙂 For desert we had some yummy ice-cream. We finished our lunch early. Our plan had been to go to a seminar in Redfern. It was about a subject that we find very interesting. However it had turned out to be a miserable very wet day. We were dressed for a sunny warm day. And we had not thought of taking an umbrella along.

When our daughter Caroline messaged us from Waverly we could come to her place to warm up and Matthew would make us a nice cup of coffee, we could not resist. We decided there and then to give the seminar a miss. We just did not feel right any more to go there. We thought relaxing with Caroline and Matthew was the better option at that instance. We had not seen them since before Easter. They had been away for a little holiday.

So off we went to their place in Waverly. We arrived there quickly by train and bus. We were lucky. A train to Bondi Junction came straight away. And at Bondi Junction we immediately did get a bus. to where we wanted to go. Really an excellent connection! We knew where to get off the bus and from the bus stop it was only a very short walk for us. It did not rain very much, that meant we did get only a little bit wet. Caroline had some heaters on. That made us feel all right very soon. Being able to talk to Caroline and Matthew was great.

They made sure we caught the right bus back to catch our train to Dapto from Bondi Junction. By half past seven we were back home, had some supper and started watching our movie on ABC TV at 8,30 pm. We saw “Parer’s War”. It showed what Australians and Americans experienced in New Guinea towards the end of WW II wich is really quite mind boggling.

It is a pity that we did not feel up to it to go to that seminar. A very interesting speaker from the University of Canberra was to give the talk which in a way was to touch on the subject of “the crisis of democracy”. A few times we have been to other very interesting seminars at this place in Redfern. They often send out invitations we find worth taking notice of. However quite a few invitations we missed out on over the years, for it is not always convenient for us to go all the way to Redfern for a two hour talk. Maybe it would make a difference if we lived somewhat closer. I don’t know. We always seem to be running out of time!

THE ITALIAN FORUM, CANBERRA VISIT to PARLIAMENT HOUSE, MORE PICTURES FROM MOTHERS’ DAY 2001

Probably around the beginning of the year 2000 an Italian Forum was established in Leichardt, an inner Western suburb of Sydney. We had a look at the Forum towards the end of May 2000. It was still pretty new then.

Caroline, Peter and I enjoyed gelato and a cup of coffee. A year later, in 2001 all three of us went with Ilse to the Forum. The Forum looked still fairly new!

I wear my favourite hat again!

On the day that we went to the Forum Peter took this picture of us at Caroline's place in Sydney. — On that day, when we went to the Forum, Peter took this picture of us at Caroline’s place in Sydney.

It was probably April 2001 when we drove with Ilse to Canberra. We stayed there in the Formula One Hotel for one night. This time Ilse made sure that we booked for her a separate room. When we had previously stayed with her in Newcastle in another Formula One Hotel we had booked only one room for the three of us, and Ilse did not like this at all! There was only one double bed and a single bunk above the bed. Peter climbed – with difficulty I might say – into the bunk bed. Ilse had to sleep with me – horror of horrors – in the queen-sized double bed. I did not mind this at all. I kept well to my side of the bed. Ilse did not disturb me at all. But I do not blame Ilse for wanting her own bed when we stayed at Formula One in Canberra.

In Canberra we had a good look around at Parliament House, also a lovely lunch there in the canteen. Going back home the following day we drove towards Batemans Bay and from there along the coastal road.

On the way to Canberra we went along the Hume Highway via Goulburn.

We stopped for a while at a park in Goulbourn, Ilse loved the trees there. — We stopped for a while at a park in Goulburn, Ilse loved the trees there.

Looking through one photo album I came across two pictures that were taken on Saturday, 10th of March, 2001. On that day we had lunch with Ilse at a cafe near the Parkridge Apartments in Sydmey. We had booked a very nice apartment at the Parkridge. If I remember right it was on the seventh floor and had two bedrooms. We stayed there for three nights. This gave us the opportunity to explore Sydney a little bit. The apartment was right in the centre of Sydney and quite reasonably priced. Our apartment was in the main road. But where we had lunch that was in a back road behind the Parkridge Apartments.

This is where we had lunch on that Saturday.

On the second Sunday of May is always Mothers’ Day. In May there are also the birthdays of Ilse and Peter. Ilse always points out that she is one year and three days older than Peter! I think Ilse was still with us for both birthdays. On Mothers’ Day we met the whole family in Merrylands, a Western Suburb of Sydney, where Gaby and David lived. David came with us to the Merrylands Bowling Club for lunch. Here he is with Ilse. I think he liked her quite a lot. Who wouldn’t?

I took the following picture in Central Park, Merrylands. David did not come with us to the park. He had gone home already.

Little Krystal found herself a RESERVED Seat already! — Little Krystal had found herself a RESERVED Seat already!

Martin sits opposite the Twins, Ryan and Troy.

Gaby made it to the Falls in Central Park.

Here again four of our granddaughters in Central Park in 2001.

Krystal’s Birthday today

Krystal turns sweet 17 today. She is celebrating her birthday today with her Mum at her Auntie Caroline’s in Sydney. We’ve seen Krystal already on Thursday to wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Lauren, our youngest granddaughter, turns 16 in June. So they are all growing up. Two of our grandsons have children of their own already. We have now three great-grandchildren and another one is on its way to be born around the time of my 8Oth birthday!

Today, on this special day for Krystal, I want to publish a few more photos that have Krystal in most of them.

I think this picture was taken on the 14th of February 1999.

We were at the top of Mt Keira. The photo is taken at the front of Mt Keira Restaurant. There are several outlooks on Mt Keira from where you can look down to Wollongong and surrounds. We were able to take Gaby up there with her wheelchair. Monika came along with us with little Krystal who wasn’t quite two yet. Gaby always loved to spend time with the family.

This photo was taken around Christmas 2OOO. Krystal wonders what Granddad is going to do with these sunflowers that grew in his garden. — This photo was taken around Christmas 2OOO.
Krystal wonders what Granddad is going to do with these sunflowers that grew in his garden.

This is just a bit of the front of our house in the year 2OOO. I put this photo in to show how small this tree in front of our window was at the time. It looks very huge now and the gardener trims is every so often otherwise there would not be left enough room for the parking spot at the left of the house. — This is just a bit of the front of our house in the year 2000. I put this photo in to show how small this tree in front of our window was at the time. It looks very huge now, and the gardener trims it every so often, otherwise there would not be left enough room for one of the parking spots at the left of the house.

This is a picture from probably around 2OOO on a day when some kids played soccer at Lakelands Park. A lot of kids still play soccer there during the winter season. — This picture is probably from around 2000. This is what it looks like on a day when some kids play soccer at Lakelands Park. Kids still play soccer there during the winter season.

This is in Lakelands Park in 2OO1 when Ilse was with us again. — This is in Lakelands Park in 2001 when Ilse was with us again.

Krystal has been sliding down and Roxy stand beside her.

Monikas three girls with their cousin Lauren.

This picture was taken in Merrylands Central Park on Mother's Day 2OO1. — This picture was taken in Merrylands Central Park on Mother’s Day 2001.

On Mother’s Day 2001 the whole family had met at Merrylands Bowling Club for lunch. Ilse was still with us on this day. After lunch we enjoyed some time in Central Park. It was a great day for all of us. 🙂

Photos from Ilse’s Visit in 1999 (continued)

I found some more photos from Ilse’s visit in 1999. They bring back so many memories. And I am sure that there are still some more photos from that visit somewhere. The photos that are available cover quite a few things we did during Ilse’s two months stay here with us. I never kept a diary at the time. And of course within the two months we did more things than what is shown via the photos. Gaby used to keep an awful lot of photos. We ended up with all of Gaby’s photos after she passed away. To go through all of these photos would be an immense task. I do not feel like doing this right now. But I do believe that amongst all of Gaby’s photos there would be some mote photos of Ilse’s visit.

The Chinese Gardens in Sydney are very beautiful.

I mentioned in my previous blog that we were with Ilse in the Chinese Gardens in Sydney, and I published two pictures from that visit. Here is just another photo of the gardens. I should publish one day a whole blog with pctures of these gardens. It is a wonderful place and invites you to take lots and lots of pictures. The above picture is actually from 1999. Peter took quite a few more picture on that day but for today only this one photo for I want to publish above all some more photos with Ilse.

Here is Gaby with her carer David and Ilse. — Here is Gaby with Ilse and David, her carer. According to what is written at the back of the photo, it is from the 21st of March 1999. It was taken with Gaby’s camera at our place.

Here is a photo that was taken on the 18th of April 1999., also with Gaby’s camera. I do remember that on that day were travelling all the way from Parramatta along the Parramatta River to Sydney Harbour where the Opera House came into sight. We did get off the boat at Circular Quay.

I think David probably took this picture of all of us with the Opera House in the background. — I think David probably took this picture of us with the Opera House in the background. This picture is also from the 18th of April 1999.

Here Caroline is ready to drive herself to her job in Kiama. — Caroline is ready to drive herself to her job in Kiama. I remember that Ilse admired Caroline that she was such a good driver already.

Here is again one of the pictures of the three of us in the Chinese Gardens. — Here is again one of the pictures of the three of us in the Chinese Gardens

In the picture above we stroll along Darling Harbour that is close to the Chinese Gardens.

Here is Peter with his sister Ilse. — Peter with his sister Ilse.

This is Martin with Lauren who was born on the 15th of June 1998.

Ilse enjoyed visiting our son Martin and youngest grandchild with us in Newcastle. — Ilse enjoyed visiting with us our son Martin and youngest grandchild in Newcastle.

Martin went with us to beautiful Blackbut Park in Newcastle.

This is one of the photos that Peter took at Blackbut in Newcastle.

We went with Ilse to the Blue Mountains.

I recall we went with Ilse also to the Wollongong Botanic Gardens and to the Nan Tien Temple. Ilse loved all our outings. And of course several beaches would also have been on our itinerary.

Ilse flew back with KLM. I think Peter took this picture at the airport on Ilse's day of departure. — Ilse flew back with KLM. I think Peter took this picture at the airport on Ilse’s day of departure.

At Sydney airport. Ilse is about to depart.

Ilse promised she would visit again. And she did!

Concordia Club, Tempe, NSW

Today we visited the Concordia Club. It was still quite warm as though the summer did not want to leave us yet. We did meet our family at the club for lunch.

There were our two daughters and our son with their partners, as well as our twin grandsons. One of them was there with partner and beautiful son, who is our great-grandson!Also one of our grand-daughters, who turns seventeen early next month, was also there.

Lucas, our little great grandson soon found company on the lawns in front of the club and kept tirelessly running around.

We had great fun watching the kids from where we were sitting down for lunch.

March in March

http://jenniferann1970.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/march-in-march-sydney-photos-2014/

Australia is a beautiful country. Everyone in this country, that I know, leads comparatively a rather good life and does not want this to change. So who are the people who joined the protest march? I actually do not know one person who joined the March in March. Even though I would have liked to protest about quite a few things, somehow I did not make it to do this marching. I am impressed with the people who did. I remember when we protested against the Iraq war, we were called “The Mob” by prime minister Howard. I have the feeling most establishment people would probably put the March in March into a similar category.

Diary

Thursday, 13th March 2014

Dapto, NSW, Australia

Yesterday Peter and I spent the day in Sydney. Both of us had an appointment at a Holistic Dental Centre. Shaileshni, a Dental Hygenist, did for me a Clinical Perio Analysis & Recording as well as Removal of calculus. I explained that I could not wear my top partial dentures because they caused too much pressure on my gums which then became very sore. Shaileshni called in my dentist who after a bit of oral examining tried to adjust the dentures. All in all I had to pay close to 300 Dollars for the visit. Peter paid for his visit a similar amount. Peter did get the bad news that some of his teeth needed treatment. The estimated cost: $ 1165. Peter says this would make it hard to save up enough money for an overseas trip. But I think Peter is very reluctant to give up his plans for another trip to Berlin. He just does not want to think about it that he may not see this city ever again. Well, at least he knows just about everything that goes on in Berlin via the Internet. It is really amazing how without any problems it is possible to stay in touch with distant places like this.

Peter went in first for his dental treatment. I stayed in the waiting room and busied myself reading some very interesting literature. I was especially interested what Dr.Mercola had to say about the importance of Vitamin D and that it was best to get it via exposure to the sun. When I got home I read another article of his on website.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/21/how-to-get-your-vitamin-d-to-healthy-ranges.aspx

Keeping this in mind I made sure Peter and I had our afternoon tea out in the sun as soon as we got back home to Dapto. Later on we saw on the news that Sydney’s afternoon traffic ended in chaos because of a fire emergency on the building site at Barangaroo.

Barangaroo fire triggers Sydney CBD chaos

is the headline in today’s paper. We had been going to Sydney by train. When we boarded our return train at Sydney’s Central Station the fire had probably just started. Of course we had no way of knowing about this.

We were lucky that we could enjoy a bit of sunshine as we got back to Dapto. Just before I went to sleep last night it started to rain again. When I got up this morning it was still overcast, but no more rain. So far the sun has not been out yet today. I like it that it is still warm. We have not needed any heaters for a long time. During the few very hot days we just used our fans. We have no air conditioning. I believe where we live it is possible to survive quite well without it. So far so good. This may somewhat change over the years.

At Sydney Airport November 1994

We moved into our new home in September 1994. A few weeks later we had a burglary. I was so upset I wanted to cancel our planned trip to Berlin. A very understanding doctor managed to calm me down with some hypnosis treatment. So in November we went as planned to Sydney Airport for our departure which led us first of all to another stop over at Singapore.

The following pictures show that our family came to the airport to farewell us. I find these pictures very interesting for our family. They show our grandchildren what they looked like nearly twenty years ago!

I noticed that all four of our children and all six of our grandchildren that we had at the time, are to be seen in the photos! Also Gaby’s carer David and our daughter-in-law.

Bushfire Warnings for the Coming Days

Sunday, October 20th, 2013

2:15pm: Premier Barry O’Farrell has today been at the Rural Fire Service Headquarters in Lidcombe.

He has warned residents across the state to brace for the possibility of mass evacuations in coming days amid dire weather forecasts.

‘‘The state’s in for challenging days ahead,’’ he said

I just discovered the above new item in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Some areas in NSW experienced the worst bushfires last Thursday when temperatures reached the high thirties (Celsius) with very strong erratic extremely hot winds. 208 houses have been destroyed so far. The entire Blue Mountains Area is still in danger.

So the Premier says ” to brace for the possibility of mass evacuations in coming days amid dire weather forecasts.”

This warning applies to residents across the state of NSW. I think a lot of people tend to think it is not going to effect them unless they live right next to the bush. However to be honest under these dire weather conditions a fire could turn up anywhere within a very short time. So I think the Premier is right to give people a warning like this. For sure it is much better to be prepared than to be sorry later on.

Here now is a message from the Queen:

“2:58pm: Her Majesty The Queen has just sent a message on the bushfire situation here. She’s expressed great admiration for the work of fire fighters.

“I would like to convey my heartfelt sympathy to all those who have been affected by the devastating bushfires across New South Wales.

“My thoughts are with the many people who have lost their homes or livelihoods in the fires, and I have great admiration for the fire fighters, volunteers and emergency services officers who are working tirelessly to contain the situation.”

Fleet Review Celebrations in Sydney, October 2013

Tall ships on display in Sydney

Continuing the fleet review celebrations, more than a dozen tall ships were on display today on Sydney Harbour.

The public were also able to board international warships at Barangaroo and Garden Island, to get a glimpse of life at sea.

On Saturday, Prince Harry and Governor-General Quentin Bryce performed the official review of warships from 17 nations.

Up to a million people are estimated to have watched a huge light and fireworks show which lit up Sydney harbour to end the day’s celebrations– the biggest since the Olympic Games.

The dazzling fireworks display was launched from city rooftops, barges, the Harbour Bridge, and the decks of Navy warships.

Images of key moments in the Navy’s history were projected onto the Opera House along with archival sound recordings, honouring Australian sailors who have lost their lives at sea.

The above is a news item which I copied from the Sydney Morning Herald webpage.

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On Sunday, the 6th October, we made it to Central Station in Sydney. From there we took the tram to Darling Harbour. It was already late afternoon. However there were still huge crowds everywhere. Some of the tall ships had made it from Sydney Harbour to Darling Harbour. If you wanted to go on board of one, you had to buy a ticket and then join a large queue to be let on the boat. We did not feel like waiting around for so long. We promenaded instead along Darling Harbour. Peter took a few pictures. For refreshment we bought some lovely ice-creams and listened to some beautiful Lebanese music.

Someone who had seen Peter taking pictures of me asked whether we wanted to have a picture taken of us together. We thought this was very kind of him.

We took the tram back to Central Station. From there we could catch our train back home to Dapto. It was nearly 9 pm by the time we were home. We had left home some ten hours earlier because we had been invited to a talk about the environment that we did not want to miss out on.

By the way to our great shock we noticed yesterday morning that we had lost one hour: Our clocks had been set forward onto Daylight Saving Time!