While Speaking of the Past........

I came across these GEMS today!!!  And I have to admit that one of these little cherubs is me and unfortunately it's not he cute one LOL!!

 A slight improvement in the next pic - but still not the cute one.

At least the shoes are polished :)

What is Past is Past!

When the boys where around 10 and 12 years old we took them to Ballarat and in particular to Sovereign Hill for a hands on history lesson with lots of fun included.  Many years later we were able to take the girls for the same experience.  Stepping into Sovereign Hill one of my first comments was - "Nothing has changed at all since we brought the boys here!"  Umm, duh!  Of course nothing has changed (except for a few personnel of course!) What is past is past and there's nothing that can change that - except enjoy the new experience with the girls.

We got to ride a stage coach

 We were able to make a lesson about doing your best at school and making the most of your modern schooling opportunities - otherwise scooping poop might be the only job you are qualified for :)

 Then we went to school (three times during our stay acutally).  Writing with a nib and ink was an experience enjoyed by the girls.  It was a blast from the past for me.  It is how I learned to write - OMGOSH, how old does that make me feel!

 There was a visit to the candle maker to colour some candles and a chance to pan for gold.

 Then see the gold purified and in liquid form to make a large ingot - very impressive and great place to escape the chill.

Check out the price of gold today and what it would be worth if it was mined today.

14.52 BILLION DOLLARS

 We saw the differenc in the way life was lived from the gentry on the up side of the hill to the Chinese settlement at the bottom of the hill.

 We also learned how tough life was for all the miners, but especially the Chinese.

 Peg doll making was a favourite

 Though it was hard to beat the melodrama played out on stage.  It was side splittingly funny!

 The drama played out on the street was cute - the gun fire LOUD!!!!  Even though we were warned and knew it was coming, it made us all jump each time the gun was fired!

 The musicians were a treat, we watched them from the sweets shop and that was after we had a delicious morning tea at the New York Bakery - the BIGGEST and most delicious scones jam and cream.  Not to mention the awesome pies from the girls favourite haunt - Hope Bakery.

I was not able to take photos at the sound and light show in the evening, but it was quite spectacular and a very enlightening history lesson - AND JOLLY COLD to boot.

"Not Go Under Daddy!!"

Tried several times to upload a little video of Nash during his swimming lessons with no success, so I have reverted to the photos that still tell the same story.

Sitting on the edge Nash says, "I not go under Daddy!"  "No Nash, not go under" says Daddy.  Inevitably Nash does go under and comes up very proud of himself for 'going under'!

"Not Go Under Daddy!"

35 YEARS WITHOUT MY MUM

Mum died 35 years ago, suddenly and tragically for us all, at the age of 45. 

 If I could just change one thing in my life, if I could turn back time - it would be to have my mum.  Mum has been gone longer than I had her in my life, but her influence has been and is still with me.

 From a very impoverished start to life, and the youngest of six siblings she worked hard to provide for her own.  I still remember the many stories she often told of her years growing up with her brothers and sister by the sea at Carpenters Rocks.  Living in a house made of scrap pine, some stone and lined with newspapers to keep the cold out!

 Alice, Frederick, John, Powis, Robert, James and baby Myra around 3 years old we think

I think she is about 10 or 11 years old in this photo, around the same age as her great granddaughter Baie.

Teenage years.

 On the beach (with the legs and shape she didn't pass on!!)

 On the rocks at Bungalow Bay

At the Lakes with only sister and big sister Alice and the mother she adored - my Nanny Bessie Muriel.

A photo of Mum and Dad that I found and tried to restore, not very successfully!  I think it's the one that Dad carried in his wallet for years.

LITTLE LIVVY LOU LOU

A short but fun visit to the Kenchos and a catch up with little Liv.

 What a sweetie

She kept us entertained

 And is the apple of Dave and Maree's eye!

Now that you are back in Adelaide guys, hopefully see you a lot more.

A DAY IN THE BEAUTIFUL BAROSSA

An invitation to Auntie Valmai and Uncle Ian's 65th wedding anniversary meant a trip to cousin Jenny's place in the Barossa Valley.

 It also meant a fire in the yard

 And a damper for lunch

 The best spot for the boys to have a beer and catch up on the goss!

 The kelpie dog just puts the finsihing touch on a beautiful Aussie scene.

 Ian had decided to use a different camp oven that his usual, so Jen was a bit concerned about the end result of the damper.

 It was a tad 'over done' on top, but when that was cut away, we were treated to a delicious damper with Jenny's home made jams.

 Not to mention the yummy very hot pot of soup.

 The table was set with 3 separate hand crocheted cloths, family heirlooms on the Weston side - I'm lucky enough to have one too.

 Jenny had organised and catered for the whole meal and it was scrumtious, including the diamond shaped cake that was a caramel mud cake!

 Jen is prone to prose and didn't disapoint with a very moving and loving poem written especially for her precious Mum and Dad.  This was followed by equally moving and sometimes amusing speeches/toasts by a close friend and Uncle Ian himself who told us how they met, thier couting days, proposal and life together.

 Here are a few scenes from the farm

 As Aussie as it can come!

 Finishing off with a wonderful painting done by Ian and Jenny's granddaughter Ebony, the likeness to Pa is close to perfect!

The love this couple and their family show towards each other is inspirational, I wish it could be bottled and handed around. xxxx