Aroma Festival

Sun 27 July

Evan and A. Cath joined us for a train ride out to the city to take in the Aroma Festival at the Rocks and Circular Quay.

This was the first time for both Evan and I to use our Opal cards...woohoo $2.50 for a return trip to the city. Lily used Nathan's ticket, Janet used Darren's, and A. Cath paid $2.50 for a normal seniors ticket.

Although we didn't get there til after lunch, the queues for the coffee and food stalls were still long.

Walked through the markets which are there every Sunday, taking in the arts and crafts but not buying anything.

As we'd already had lunch before heading out, the food stalls although smelling delish, didn't entice us.

Lunch was, by the way at Flemington, went shopping and had pho (my treat) just after 11am - so we managed to get a table before the lunch hour rush.

Anyway, having looked but no tasting - if only the queues weren't so long - not that desperate for a cuppa - seems to be more and more people every year.

Bumped into Nathan's friend, Jarrod, before heading back to Wynyard station where we stopped at McDonalds (Evan's treat) for soft serve, nuggets, fries and drinks.

Then it was back on the train. Got home in time to be available when Kaylene called for a lift. She was working and missed out.

Mark's Birthday

On Monday 21 July, his actual birthday, we went out to dinner at Maenam Lao and Thai restaurant in Strathfield.

We managed to get some tennis in before we had to head to dinner.  Before we left for tennis, dinner was still undecided, but during the game, Lily called to say that Mark had decided on Thai in Strathfield.

We actually arrived at the restaurant before them, Mark had dropped Lily and Mar Mar off before looking for a parking spot.  We were lucky to get parking directly in front of the restaurant.  It looked full, only small section in front, but they led us to the back which had more tables. Only two other tables were occupied.

None of his sons showed up, Daz was still overseas, Justin stayed home, and Nathan was playing indoor soccer. So it was just Mark, Lily, Mar Mar, Kaylene, Janet, Megan and Evan.

After dinner we went home for the birthday cake which Janet had made. Japanese cheesecake decorated with cream and strawberries.

Strictly Ballroom

On Wednesday night we went out to see Strictly Ballroom at the Lyric Theatre.  Mare offered to give us a lift in and we parked at the Casino $20, after looking for on street parking failed.

Got there at 6pm so we had time to get some dinner, even though Janet and Kaylene had eaten at home already.  Mare bought a seafood platter $20 and I bought Thai fried rice $18 which we shared.Lily then shouted us Messina Gelato, then it was time to get our seats.

The show was part pantomine, with audience participation.  We were seated in the green section so we had to cheer on dancing contestants "couple number 167".

During intermission we got our free drinks, substituting the glass of sparkly for soft drinks and LLB's. At the end of the show, we just had to take photos with the cut out board.  

If only I had a body like that :P

Christmas in July at Sue and Bruce's

Sue invited the Stampin' Up! ladies for a day of crafting.

Emma kindly offered to give us a lift, picking up the two Maria's before coming to pick me up around 9.30am.

We got to Sue's just before 11am, time for some morning tea with cakes and biscuits, before heading to her new craft room for some card and wreath making, after a quick tour of the renovations.

In the meantime, Bruce was slaving away in the kitchen, cooking up lunch for us which consisted of corned beef, bread rolls, salad, roasted sweet potato, brocolli and cauliflower.

After lunch it was back to more card crafting and wreath making.  Sue and Leonie had been busy with their wreath making and had quite a display of finished ones.

We also had a game of Christmas bingo. Just our luck that Leonie won the game and got some goodies from the new catalogue.

Happy Birthday Sophia

The family went out to dinner at Pine Inn for Sophia's birthday.
Food overload, then back home for cake, which Janet had baked and decorated.

Snow White

Mare asked if I was interested in going to see Snow White.  Why not?

So she bought tickets for Saturday 5 July at 8pm.

Mare came and picked me up at 6.45pm and she drove out to the city, parking in a parking station close by.  Arrived at the State Theatre just after 7.30pm.  Waited for Jacq to arrive before we went in.



No photographs allowed inside when the show is on, so we take our usual photo of the stage with no one on it.

Not knowing what to expect the show turned out to be pretty good.  Lots of interaction with the audience, "booing and hissing" the wicked queen, Grismalda (Magda Szubanski), Muddles (James "Jimmy Giggles" Rees) the court jester and Chambers (Peter Everett), the queen's servant provide belly laughs.  Their headless ghost stint with "scooby dooby doo" song and kids screaming and shouting "behind you" is funny, as well as the 12 days of Winter, at the end so hilarious. Great singing from Snow White (Erin Clare), Prince from Melburnia (Andrew Cutcliffe) is handsome and the Herman the Huntsman  (Josh Adamson) is also in fine form.  The magic mirror is performed by Cliff Richard and Kyle Sandilands with their parts pre-recorded.

After the show, Mare and Jacq wanted to stick around to meet the stars.  Got their photos taken with "Jimmy Giggles" and Snow White, but alas, no show from Magda, which is who Mare really wanted a photo with.