Dinner at Heston's, Melbourne

Saturday 30 March

Lily dropped Janet, Kaylene and I off at the airport around 8.30am to catch a Qantas 9.30am flight to Melbourne.

Met up with Mare at the airport. Checked in. - No luggage, only carry on. Went through security.

Had a quick breakfast, shared a breakfast roll with Kaylene and a hash brown from Hungry Jacks, before boarding the flight. Flight was a little delayed.

Arrived in Melbourne at 11:15am.  Kaylene arranged an Uber ride for us into Melbourne city, drop off at Hawker Chan.

Had lunch at Hawker Chan, before we made our way to the hotel - had to stop walking because the rain came pouring down. Not a good sign, but the weather forecast was not looking good.

Got to hotel and checked in. Mare said she was going to take a nap, so Kaylene and I also had one. probably shouldn't have.  Anyway got up and decided we should take a tram ride around the city - bad mistake.  Tram was crowded - seems everyone else had the same idea.  Got off a few stops before the hotel to check out the shops in Central  and got diverted by Kit Kat shop - made my own kit kat and bought some too. Then it was time to rush back, and get ready for Heston.  Mare had continued on a further stop after us and was wandering off on her own. Got back to the Hotel at the same time.

Although we were ready to go, she had taken a shower etc, so that we were running late, heading out the door to get to the Crown casino which was at the other end of town.  Looked at all options - quickest seemed to be to walk, so we walked at a quick pace - Kaylene leading the way.

Got to the Casino and we were 1/2 hour late - had to pick up our gift cards, which made us another 20mins late (who put the gift shop at the other end of the casino to the restaurant and with no signage)- Mare got to the restaurant and had to order the meals for us. By the time we got to the restaurant, we were so flustered.  Not a good experience to start off a Heston dinner.  Found out she ordered some dishes which you would need to pay extra for as well as mineral water.

The food was noice - and the waiters were very helpful.

Starters were:
Kedgeree (c.1850)
Grilled abalone, prawn, leek hearts and saltbush

Salamagundy (c.1720)
Chicken oysters, braised radish, horseradish cream, marrowbone and pickled walnuts

Hay Smoked Kingfish (c.1730)
Pickled lemon salad, genetleman's relish, wood sorrel and smoked roe

Sherried Marron (c.1970) $10 supplememnt
Prawn tartare, grilled shiitake and Sherry mushroom broth

Mains were:

Cod in Cider (c.1940)

Silverbeet leaves, roast onions and fired mussels

Chicken cooked with Lettuces (c.1670)

Grilled onion emulsion, oyster leaf and spiced parsnip sauce

Roast Pork Chop (c.1820)

Smoked bispi cabbage, pickled onions, cider and Robert sauce

Sirloin of David Blackmore Wagyu (C.1830) $60 supplement

Mushroom ketchup and tiple cooked chips

Because we were so late, we couldn't order the desserts from the menu, and had to settle for them making us ice cream in front of us and some pineapple tarts.
Ice cream with apple popping candy, raspberry and white chocolate topping

Paid for the meal with our gift cards - lucky they were $200 gift cards with $40 discount. three coursed for $140, but with the additional supplements and mineral water,

Walking back to hotel, Mare arranged to meet up with her cousins for siu yeh.  I opted to have an early night, the others went out to Mr Crackles.

West Side Story on the Harbour

Friday 29 March

Evan and A. Cath came over in the afternoon. We then walked to Strathfield to meet up with Jacq at Hiroba for dinner.

Caught the train to Martin Place and walked to the stage via Sydney Hospital and Art Gallery.

So lucky the rain held off, although we all packed our umbrellas and ponchos, just in case.

Took photos while it was still light. Walked around and checked out the food being sold and checked out the slanting stage.

This police car was part of the show - it was driven past in one of the scenes after the rumble in the playground.

 The music and dancers were awesome - seems the musicians were under the stage

The night turned out perfectly and we all had a great time watching the show. No photography allowed while the show was on, but Evan managed to take this one of the performers taking a bow.

Although our seats were to the side, we still could see most of the action on the stage.

Blood tests and a blip

Saturday 16 March 2019

Made an follow up appointment to see Dr Brinda after going to get a series of blood tests on Wed 06 Mar in the morning.

The results seemed to be good. No signs of diabetes. Cholesterol was ok, but could be better (5.9 when it should be 5.5).

But there was a blip on the liver tests. So I reminded her that I have a fatty liver. Not sure since when, but got her to go back through my records.

Kylie in Concert

Wednesday 6 March 2019

Showers and rain on and off during the day. Had been FB chatting with the Kylie group as to how we would be getting to the concert. Mare wanted to catch the light rail in. We were going to train in it. She wanted to meet up for dinner but wouldn't compromise and meet us at Market City, so in the end, I said we would eat at Strathfield, Japanese and train it in and meet up with her at the ICC.
Thunderstorm hit around 3-4pm and Mare cancelled her lessons, so she wasn't driving anywhere, but offered to drive us in to the light rail station.  I suggested that as she was going to drive, she may as well drive us to a parking station close to the ICC at Darling Quarters, we all put in for parking, and it would be cheaper for all of us than catching the light rail. She agreed and could then meet up with us for dinner at Strathfield.

After work, walked home. Then walked with others to Hiroba, Strathfield where we met up with Mare.  Had our meal, which they paid for, treating me to a birthday dinner.

Then Mare drove us into the city to park at Darling Quarters. Parking turned out to be just across the park from the ICC. It had stopped raining.

Met up with Bindy and Ange inside the ICC. They had gone to the top level to enjoy the views and find a place to sit, as all seats on our door level were taken.

7:30pm went in to watch the support act, Jake Shears. He was ok, bit out there, but alright.

8.30pm she was a bit late, but when Kylie came out the crowd erupted. She knows how to put on a show. She was promoting her new album 'Golden' which was very country and western influenced. Mare apparently knew all the lyrics having it playing on the drive in.

She also sang and performed some of her old favourites - which always got everyone up and singing along.

There was a very old lady in the lower stalls who was very keenly dancing along to very song in the passageway. Must have had a good sleep that night.

So we had a group of guys sitting a couple seats down from us that had to get up for just about every song - very frustrating, but a good excuse to get up and take videos and photos. Lucky for us there was only two more row of seats behind us on our level who didn't mind us getting up and down.

Was a great night. Didn't get home until 11.30pm, by the time I showered and posted up some pics on FB, it was past midnight.

My 53rd Birthday - part 2

Sunday 3 March

Invited Seeto's over for lunch at home.

So for lunch  I made stir fried noodles, pan fried A. Cath's turnip cake (lo bak go), which she had made the day before and we had the leftovers from the restaurant.

Janet and Aunt Cath made a Japanese cottonwool cheesecake.

Evan and I went out to troll for treasures - Concord having a clean out day. Got back and watched a movie on my laptop - Antman and the Wasp.

Ange dropped Bindy off. Bindy had made me cocoa butter cupcakes. She was also limping - seems she had tripped and fallen the day before, and had to be helicoptered to RNSH for stitches to her knee. They didn't make it to fishing.

Took photos with the cake before we left.  Took the cupcakes to the restaurant instead.

Then for dinner we headed out to Buddha Raksa Thai Restaurant at Enfield.

16 of us in total. I had also invited Mar Mar.

We were given the long table in the middle of the room.

I ordered the following

Som Tum (papaya salad - chilli) 2 x $18.90 - too spicy

Larb Gai 2 x 43.80

Penang Chicken curry 2 x $23.90 - probably better to have green curry, but spicy.

Beef Massaman 2 x 23.90

Smiling Tiger (grilled beef with salad) 2 x $25.90 - could have left it out

Pla Manao Fish (steamed whole fish) 2 x $29.90

Salt & Pepper Squid 2 x $23.90

Crispy Eggplant 2 x $21.90

Pad Thai Beef 2 x $21.90

White Sky Line (Vermicelli stir fry) 2 x $21.90 - could have left it out

Buddha Raksa Fried Rice 2 x $20.90

Steamed Rice 8 x $3.00

Total: $533.80

Anyway, we had a lot leftover, especially on our end of the table. After they cleared the table and packed up our leftovers,the staff brought out the cupcakes, arranged on a plate with candles and they all sang Happy Birthday.

Ate our cupcakes and after dinner mint. Janet paid for the bill using Amex, I paid her back in cash later at home. 

Said our goodbyes, and we drove Fiona back to the house.

I got given:

Red packet $50 by Uncle David & family.

Alex & Ani, "M" charm bracelet from Bindy

Sleeveless top from Lily

$50 gift card from Fiona

$135 Hugh Jackman Ticket from Darren

My 53rd Birthday - Part 1

Saturday 2 Mar

Saturday, trained and bused it to Simply My Hair for 9.30am appointment - Got my roots retinted and my fringe trimmed.

Came home for lunch, having bought Japanese salmon avocado salad and karage chicken takeaway.

Kaylene had a 1pm appointment.

Evan came over to help fix the car window, which he had caused to stay down the night before. So with Janet, Nathan and I, we managed to get the window back up to the small silver Mazda.  The car was back in business.

But Nathan needed car to pick up Eva to go to Mar Mar's birthday, so Evan drove us to pick Fiona up We then went back to their place, where we were going to have dinner. But decided instead to give the cooks a rest and go to Hurstville RSL for dinner instead.

Ordered the set meal 5 dishes plus veggie.  Combination tofu hotpot, Shantung pork, fried fish fillets with corn sauce, fried eggplant chips, fteamed egg whites with seafood, and oong choy

After dinner, A. Cath and I walked home, while Evan drove the others home. Going, Evan made 2 trips.

Watched the Mardi Gras via live streaming. After which, Evan drove us home, because, Nathan said it would take too long for him to come over and pick us up.

Take the Pressure Down

Fri 1 Mar 2019

Follow up visit to Dr Brinda Weiman.

Mon 4 Feb - Thought I had a head cold - took a sick day and made appt to visit the doctor at 11.15am.  She diagnosed "sinusitus" and prescribed Claratyne. Also asked about my toe nails - fungal nail infection on 3 toes on my left foot and 1 toe on my right.  Referred to Clinical Labs to get nail clippings to be tested. Went to the one on Victoria Rd, opposite Burwood Westfields.
I bought over the counter Exilior fungal nail treatment to apply.
She also took my blood pressure - said it was high.
Had 2 days off work - Sick Leave Cert

Wed 6 Feb had a pap smear test at 8.30am.  I had booked this before I got sinusitus.
She rechecked my blood pressure - still high, advised to reduce salt intake.
Had 1 day off work - Sick Leave Cert

Fri 1 Mar - followup with appt 4:30pm. Pap smear test all OK. Need a checkup again in 2 years time.
Blood pressure tested again - again it was high. So she has given me script for medication.
(Idaprex for high blood pressure - pharmicist said usually given for liver problems - low dosage - take 1 at night - can cause dizziness or upset stomach. Also can result in dry cough.)
Also need to go get a blood test.

Wed 6 Mar - Blood test before work at Clinical Labs, opposit Westfields

Wed 16 Mar - Dr followup 9:45am. Results of blood test OK, except for "blip" in liver count - my fatty liver. Cholesterol a bit high, still need to keep a watch on it. Blood pressure ok, 130/90, lower than last time, but still need to take medication. Need to get an ultrasound on my abdomen to check the liver.

Wed 20 Mar - 8am Ultrasound at Rayscan Imaging, Burwood (need to fast for 6hrs before - no food or water).

Mon 25 Mar - 9.15am Dr Brinda. Ultrasounds results - mild fatty liver.  Told to lose weight 64kg (fully clothed with shoes) - given 1 month. Blood pressure taken - still high.

Fri 26 Apr - 5pm Dr Brinda. Blood pressure still high - she wanted to increase my dosage, but instead I will try to lose some weight.  Had not lost any weight since I saw her last. Need to see her again in 1-2 months.