Sunday 25 November 2018
I arranged to borrow some tables from Casey for Justin and Sophia's wedding, and in return offered to help him out, manning his lego stall at the Light Up East Ryde festival.
I also managed to talk Evan into coming with me, so that he could fit the tables in the Rav.
The festival went from 3-8pm. But it was very small - a local community festival.
Poor Evan, he ended up looking after Matty and Izzie. There wasn't much for him to photograph.
Shirley treated us to the food as thanks for helping out.
Anyway, turns out after the festival, the tables we were taking were at the Tham's home, not the one's he had been using. So we ended up getting 4 tables, 2 big folding ones, 1 small folding one and 1 square one.
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Christmas in the City
Saturday 24 November 2018
Went out to the city to check out the Christmas lights and the lighting of the Martin Place Christmas tree.
This year they had mini stages set up along George Street with performers, singers and stalls.
Had dinner at Hiroba before heading out on the train.
Janet again bought the $5 Variety Christmas bags to give to Fiona's housemates.
Managed to see the lighting of the tree - although Martin Place was packed - so beautiful. Better than previous years.
Jacq and family was also out to see the lights, but it was hard meeting up, until we had just about finished, managed to catch up with them in Pitt Street Mall. Just as we were heading home.
Went out to the city to check out the Christmas lights and the lighting of the Martin Place Christmas tree.
This year they had mini stages set up along George Street with performers, singers and stalls.
Had dinner at Hiroba before heading out on the train.
Janet again bought the $5 Variety Christmas bags to give to Fiona's housemates.
Managed to see the lighting of the tree - although Martin Place was packed - so beautiful. Better than previous years.
Jacq and family was also out to see the lights, but it was hard meeting up, until we had just about finished, managed to catch up with them in Pitt Street Mall. Just as we were heading home.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Sophia and Justin's Wedding Day
Sunday 18 November 2018
Today was the day Sophia and Justin get married in their little Russian Orthodox church.
We were told we had to be a Soph's mother's place by 9am. So once everyone was ready, we drove our 3 cars to Soph's place. Evan had already arrived earlier to take pics of bride.
Justin and his family was not allowed in the house. Soph was still getting ready. So they waited outside. Soph had decorated the front entrance with a balloon archway.
Inside the house, there was also decorations - flowers, and balloons. We had brought 3 large floral arrangements with us, as well as a box of fruit as offerings.
Soph's mum, aunt and uncle were busy prepping food. Apparently there tradition is to have a big breakfast before heading to the church.
Once Soph was ready, Justin had to ask permission to be invited into the house. Then he had to knock on her bedroom door and ask the bridesmaid permission for her hand. Once this was all done, they then performed blessings with the grandma and grandpa and then we could eat. So much food. She had made russian salad, fried rice, fried chicken, fried prawns, noodle salad, fried breads. Trying to eat and not mess up your finery was a bit hard, but we did it.
Then it was time to leave for the church at 11.15am
I would have driven by the church and not even known it, if Justin hadn't said the parking was across the road from it. Still didn't see it, until after I had parked. It was a very small church. They had just finished their mass and people were cleaning it up.
Most of us standing outside the church had no idea what was going on. They had already started the ceremony, but we couldn't get inside the church, because the bridal party was blocking the entrance. Eventually when the bridal party moved in a bit more, we could get inside. Looks like they had already been blessed and exchanged rings by the time we got in. Anyways - not much room to sit, so I was going in and out to take photos from different angles.
After the wedding, photos were taken outside the church, before we parted ways. We went home for lunch and snacks - Lily, Mark, Darren and Jen went to Costco to buy sandwiches, sushi.
Late afternoon, Soph's family came over, before we all headed out to the restaurant for dinner.
Informal reception at the Royal Treasure Seafood Restaurant at 5.30pm in Burwood. They had 4 tables booked with selected dishes by Soph and her family. A banquet, but not a wedding banquet.
10 courses - BBQ meats, abalone, corn crab soup, ginger and shallot mud crab with E-fu noodles, salty egg prawns, prok ribs in peking sauce with deep fried mango flavoured milk, steamed live barramundi, fillet steak cubes in honey and black pepper, royal steamed free-range chicken in homemade sauce (no one ate this one), vegie soup with mushrooms, jasmine rice and complimentary cookies and fruit (watermelon and oranges).
After dinner, Janet and I took Fiona back to her home.
Today was the day Sophia and Justin get married in their little Russian Orthodox church.
We were told we had to be a Soph's mother's place by 9am. So once everyone was ready, we drove our 3 cars to Soph's place. Evan had already arrived earlier to take pics of bride.
Justin and his family was not allowed in the house. Soph was still getting ready. So they waited outside. Soph had decorated the front entrance with a balloon archway.
Inside the house, there was also decorations - flowers, and balloons. We had brought 3 large floral arrangements with us, as well as a box of fruit as offerings.
Soph's mum, aunt and uncle were busy prepping food. Apparently there tradition is to have a big breakfast before heading to the church.
Once Soph was ready, Justin had to ask permission to be invited into the house. Then he had to knock on her bedroom door and ask the bridesmaid permission for her hand. Once this was all done, they then performed blessings with the grandma and grandpa and then we could eat. So much food. She had made russian salad, fried rice, fried chicken, fried prawns, noodle salad, fried breads. Trying to eat and not mess up your finery was a bit hard, but we did it.
Then it was time to leave for the church at 11.15am
I would have driven by the church and not even known it, if Justin hadn't said the parking was across the road from it. Still didn't see it, until after I had parked. It was a very small church. They had just finished their mass and people were cleaning it up.
Most of us standing outside the church had no idea what was going on. They had already started the ceremony, but we couldn't get inside the church, because the bridal party was blocking the entrance. Eventually when the bridal party moved in a bit more, we could get inside. Looks like they had already been blessed and exchanged rings by the time we got in. Anyways - not much room to sit, so I was going in and out to take photos from different angles.
After the wedding, photos were taken outside the church, before we parted ways. We went home for lunch and snacks - Lily, Mark, Darren and Jen went to Costco to buy sandwiches, sushi.
Late afternoon, Soph's family came over, before we all headed out to the restaurant for dinner.
Informal reception at the Royal Treasure Seafood Restaurant at 5.30pm in Burwood. They had 4 tables booked with selected dishes by Soph and her family. A banquet, but not a wedding banquet.
10 courses - BBQ meats, abalone, corn crab soup, ginger and shallot mud crab with E-fu noodles, salty egg prawns, prok ribs in peking sauce with deep fried mango flavoured milk, steamed live barramundi, fillet steak cubes in honey and black pepper, royal steamed free-range chicken in homemade sauce (no one ate this one), vegie soup with mushrooms, jasmine rice and complimentary cookies and fruit (watermelon and oranges).
After dinner, Janet and I took Fiona back to her home.
Friday, November 16, 2018
Coffs Harbour Day 8 - Friday 16 November 2018
Friday 16 November 2018 Drive back to Sydney
After breakfast of omelette with mushrooms, cucumber and tomatoes, we packed the car and checked out at 10am.
Stopped at Beresford to fill up at 7-Eleven and have late lunch at McDonalds at 4pm
Arrived back into Sydney at 5pm.
Had chicken wings and poke bowl - Daz had bought ingredients.
After breakfast of omelette with mushrooms, cucumber and tomatoes, we packed the car and checked out at 10am.
Stopped at Beresford to fill up at 7-Eleven and have late lunch at McDonalds at 4pm
Arrived back into Sydney at 5pm.
Had chicken wings and poke bowl - Daz had bought ingredients.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Coffs Harbour Day 7 - Thursday 15 November 2018
Thursday 15 November
After breakfast of leftover chicken corn soup with leftover chicken wings, we drove out to town and parked at Coffs Central.
Checked out the growers market - same stalls as at the jetty.
I had arranged to meet up with Jenni and Ian (former work colleague and her husband) who were also in Coffs and had just arrived that day. So we killed time, walking the shops and around the block, until it was time to meet up at a local place for afternoon tea/coffee, or in my case an iced chocolate. Janet paid for our drinks. Sat and talked and caught up with her travels, and told her news about TAFE.
After we said our goodbyes, we drove to Spotlight, before heading back to resort for one last walk on the beach.
Dinner that night was microwave lasagne with salad.
Then packing for our checkout tomorrow.
After breakfast of leftover chicken corn soup with leftover chicken wings, we drove out to town and parked at Coffs Central.
Checked out the growers market - same stalls as at the jetty.
I had arranged to meet up with Jenni and Ian (former work colleague and her husband) who were also in Coffs and had just arrived that day. So we killed time, walking the shops and around the block, until it was time to meet up at a local place for afternoon tea/coffee, or in my case an iced chocolate. Janet paid for our drinks. Sat and talked and caught up with her travels, and told her news about TAFE.
After we said our goodbyes, we drove to Spotlight, before heading back to resort for one last walk on the beach.
Dinner that night was microwave lasagne with salad.
Then packing for our checkout tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Coffs Harbour Day 6 - Wednesday 14 November 2018
Wednesday 14 November
After breakfast of omelette with mushroom and tomatoes we drove into town. Parked at Coffs Central and walked the shops and main street.
Lunch was back at the resort - 3min noodles with ham and salad greens.
In the afternoon, we drove to the harbour and went for a walk on Mutton Bird Island. Checked out the locals - kangaroos - didn't see any mutton birds.
Dinner we had steak with garlic prawns, salad and corn.
After breakfast of omelette with mushroom and tomatoes we drove into town. Parked at Coffs Central and walked the shops and main street.
Lunch was back at the resort - 3min noodles with ham and salad greens.
In the afternoon, we drove to the harbour and went for a walk on Mutton Bird Island. Checked out the locals - kangaroos - didn't see any mutton birds.
Dinner we had steak with garlic prawns, salad and corn.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Coffs Harbour Day 5 - Tuesday 13 November 2018 - Grafton
Tuesday 13 November
After breakfast of fried eggs with cocktail franks, we drove to Grafton to see if we could capture the last of the purple Jacaranda trees in bloom. Managed to track some down. Then stopped at the local shopping centre for lunch.
Lunch at Grafton Shopping World food court - Subway seafood sensation.
Next we drove to Arrawarra and Woolgoolga, stopping at beaches and lookouts, on the way back to the resort.
Dinner was pan fried chicken wings with chicken corn soup and carrots.
After breakfast of fried eggs with cocktail franks, we drove to Grafton to see if we could capture the last of the purple Jacaranda trees in bloom. Managed to track some down. Then stopped at the local shopping centre for lunch.
Lunch at Grafton Shopping World food court - Subway seafood sensation.
Next we drove to Arrawarra and Woolgoolga, stopping at beaches and lookouts, on the way back to the resort.
Dinner was pan fried chicken wings with chicken corn soup and carrots.
Monday, November 12, 2018
Coffs Harbour Day 4 - Monday 12 November 2018 - Dorrigo
Monday 12 November 2018
After breakfast of omelette with mushrooms and tomatoes, we drove to Dorrigo. Stopped in Bellingen, the Yellow Barn where Janet bought some succulents, then - stopped in Dorrigo for information - on the trail of waterfalls - and bought pies from the Dorrigo bakery for lunch - which we ate at the Dangar Falls - only saw it from above - didn't walk down to the bottom of the falls.
Then backtracked to the Dorrigo National Park Skywalk and Rainforest Walk.
Dinner - brown rice, steak, gwa mui, carrots, sweet potato and corn.
After breakfast of omelette with mushrooms and tomatoes, we drove to Dorrigo. Stopped in Bellingen, the Yellow Barn where Janet bought some succulents, then - stopped in Dorrigo for information - on the trail of waterfalls - and bought pies from the Dorrigo bakery for lunch - which we ate at the Dangar Falls - only saw it from above - didn't walk down to the bottom of the falls.
Then backtracked to the Dorrigo National Park Skywalk and Rainforest Walk.
Dinner - brown rice, steak, gwa mui, carrots, sweet potato and corn.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Coffs Harbour Day 3 - Sunday 11 November
Sunday 11 November
After breakfast off fried eggs with cocktail franks, we drove to the Growers Market by the Jetty.
Lots of stalls, food trucks, but couldn't find any good buys. Janet bought some lady finger bananas.
Went for a walk on the Jetty to the end and back.
Then drove back to town, but decided to visit the Botanic Gardens. Didn't realise it was so big. Was a hot day too. Walked most of the gardens.
Back to resort for lunch - Microwave lasagne and salad.
Dinner - Brown rice with carrots, gwa miu, garlic prawns and corn.
After breakfast off fried eggs with cocktail franks, we drove to the Growers Market by the Jetty.
Lots of stalls, food trucks, but couldn't find any good buys. Janet bought some lady finger bananas.
Went for a walk on the Jetty to the end and back.
Then drove back to town, but decided to visit the Botanic Gardens. Didn't realise it was so big. Was a hot day too. Walked most of the gardens.
Back to resort for lunch - Microwave lasagne and salad.
Dinner - Brown rice with carrots, gwa miu, garlic prawns and corn.
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Coffs Harbour Day 2 - Saturday 10 November 2018
Saturday 10 November
Park Beach Plaza
Went grocery shopping at Park Beach Plaza to stock up the fridge for the week.
Big W, Woolworths, Reject Shop, Aldi
Had lunch in the food court, Ridgy Didge pies and a fruit smoothie.
For dinner we had pan fried chicken wings with salad.
Park Beach Plaza
Went grocery shopping at Park Beach Plaza to stock up the fridge for the week.
Big W, Woolworths, Reject Shop, Aldi
Had lunch in the food court, Ridgy Didge pies and a fruit smoothie.
For dinner we had pan fried chicken wings with salad.
Friday, November 9, 2018
Coffs Harbour Day 1 - Friday 9 November
Friday 9 November Sydney to Coffs Harbour
So it was only Janet and I who went up to Coffs for the week. The drive up the coast is now so good, only some parts where they are fixing up the road, otherwise it's a quick trip.
Stopped at Hungry Jacks just outside of Beresford, then filled up at Port Macquarie, before finally arriving at Ramada Resort, Coffs Harbour.
Checked in and was told by resort staff that there was a Twilight food market down near the beach, so after unloading the car, we headed out to check out the food trucks. Lots to choose from. Lots of people having picnics and feeding the mozzies. So we bought our food, Portuguese chicken/pork pita bread wraps and a green papaya salad (very spicy, although Janet asked for mild) and drove back to the resort. Ate in comfort.
So it was only Janet and I who went up to Coffs for the week. The drive up the coast is now so good, only some parts where they are fixing up the road, otherwise it's a quick trip.
Stopped at Hungry Jacks just outside of Beresford, then filled up at Port Macquarie, before finally arriving at Ramada Resort, Coffs Harbour.
Checked in and was told by resort staff that there was a Twilight food market down near the beach, so after unloading the car, we headed out to check out the food trucks. Lots to choose from. Lots of people having picnics and feeding the mozzies. So we bought our food, Portuguese chicken/pork pita bread wraps and a green papaya salad (very spicy, although Janet asked for mild) and drove back to the resort. Ate in comfort.
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