HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DARLING JOCELYN

Today is Jocelyn's Birthday and I'm not there to spoil her.


I do hope you've had a wonderful day Jocelyn (even though you had to go to work) and that you had a great dinner with the family.


Another year has passed and I am sure you have learned many things about life, yourself, other people, work and leisure. May the year ahead be a very happy one for you and may the dreams you have become a reality.





Thank you for being so special and such a wonderful and thoughtful daughter.


I love you very much.

Your Mum xo xo xo xo



(sorry about the photo - I don't have any up to date ones - that's terrible isn't it?)

WEDDING OF STEWART & KATJA

On Thursday we had the absolute privilege of attending the Civil Ceremony Service for our Aussie friend Stewart and our Swiss friend Katja. In Europe you officially get married in your local government office where all the paperwork is done. Then you can have another service, in a Church or whatever you choose.

Stewart had asked Roger to be a witness at the wedding. It was the most beautiful afternoon/evening and we enjoyed the intimacy of being part of the family for this time. Very, very special for us both. We began with an Apero at around 2pm where friends gathered to enjoy a drink and finger food together. Then the service was held just down the road. The 8 of us then drove to Gempen to enjoy champagne and nibbles together. We then drove back down the mountain to enjoy a very yummy meal together. We eventually arrived home at 11.30pm.

Here are a few photo's for you to enjoy.

Katja's father and best friend Eta

The groom and best man

Wedding certificate being handed over

Yep......."Just Married"!!

The happy wedding party high up the mountain in Gempen

(we had hiked up here a couple of week's ago)

Pictures from hike last Monday

This was our walk from Dornach to Gempen and back to Dornach. I'd forgotten Roger had taken some photo's. Just the most beautiful countryside and so very green. This is in Baselland, so a 7 minute ride on the train from Basel. We have friends living in this area so visit regularly. The bus ride from the train station to Hochwald is so beautiful, but on very windy roads. Then there is a rather steep walk uphill to Fritz and Ilona's.

Karen (leaving to go back to the US) and Roger

Sue, Deborah and Julie (and mystery bike rider!!)

Gaynor and Terry (maybe I'm smiling

because I actually made it!)

Roger beside the Weisse on our way home from our bike ride today

SUNDAY 31 MAY

Another sunny day today, though a little cool as we walked to the train this morning to go to Church. There was a slight wind blowing (like yesterday), but once on the train we were fine.

"Our boys" came to lunch today. Reuben and Joshua were unable to come because of prior commitments but they were 'replaced' by Marcus, Stefan and Daniel! Peter and Matthias were the regulars.

I made a Banoffee Pie yesterday and then made He Te Min for lunch. A great hit. Roger thought about inviting Daniel yesterday so whizzed off an email to him. We met Daniel at Centrepoint and he has been in Basel 10 months. It was great to welcome him to our little home and he blended well with our German boys. Daniel is from New York City. His mother is Swiss but she never spoke anything but English to them in the home. Daniel is trying to learn German and to get a job in Basel.

So, the dishes have just been done and it is time for me to put my feet up and relax for a couple of hours before I go to bed. It is 8.00pm and feels like 4.00pm. It is so light outside and the sun is shining brightly.

We are getting organized to go back to Australia on 31 July. On Friday I thought we only had 8 weeks to go. I was very disappointed to learn that it is actually 9 weeks, so I'd better not start the countdown just yet!!

Here we are at Hohe Flum just up the hill from our place. We took Angela up here for a BBQ for one of the May holidays we had. It's just so beautiful and you feel you could be anywhere in the world. (I can walk 'up this hill' a lot easier these days - thank goodness!!). It's cherry season soon and there are many cherry trees around here. The farmers sell them outside their properties so I will be taking the long walk up to buy fresh cherries very soon.