Jocelyn is engaged

I am so proud to announce that Jocelyn and Mark are engaged to be married.  The celebration of Mark asking Jocelyn to marry him took place on Tuesday night 11 August at my place in front of some of the family.  He just couldn't wait until I arrived back from Europe (rather cute I thought!!). The big event will take place on Sunday 24 April.  So, it's all happening in the Ridley household and I'm not there at the moment!!  Hopefully all the work will be done by the time I get home!!

EUROPE 2015

It is now, on the eve of leaving Basel that I have time to write some thoughts on my lovely trip back to Basel.  The past 4 weeks have gone very quickly, and at the same time I feel like I have been back here forever.  Oh how I love this special place.  I feel so at home here, and of course, having wonderful friends around me, makes this even more important.

I flew from Melbourne to Duesseldorf on Thursday night 20 August.  I was met by wonderful Andreas who patiently waited for me outside customs for over 50 minutes.  The baggage seemed to take forever to come through.

I spent a wonderful, but very brief time in Huls with Ruth & Andreas and the extended family.  It was so precious to connect again and catch up on news.

From there I caught the ICE train to Goettingen to visit with my German friend Sabine.  I spent 3 days with her.  We talked an talked and talked.  I was also able to catch my breath when she was working.  She gave me a wonderful surprise for my Birthday.  An amazing massage which was perfect for me.  Thank you Sabine.

Ruth, Andreas, Maria and Steffi

I caught the ICE to Basel on Wed 26 August and was met at the SBB Railway Station by Kiwi Christine who helped me with the luggage to her lovely apartment in Spalenberg in the heart of Basel.  I was quickly settled into the attic and the fun began!!

Kevin, Christine & Gaudenz

I have caught up with many friends, shed a few tears, had many emotional moments and it is hard to tear my heart away from this place.  It doesn't help that each time I come back I meet you people!!

I was able to attend a Women's Conference in Winterthur with my German friend Carla. It was a Fri night/Sat conference.  I took some good notes, but have not had time to go through them and get my head around a few of the challenges presented to me.  This I will look forward to when I get back to Oz early Fri 2 October.

At the Conference

I fly to Dublin, Ireland tomorrow morning to be with Roger's family and the Wedding of Roger's niece Anna to Phil Plant.  I can't wait for this happy occasion.

Marianne and me outside their beautiful home

One of the lovely buildings in the village

Rock on 2015 ! ! !

Once again I have been given a 'gentle nudge' by an anonymous friend to keep blogging!!  It would have encouraged me if you'd left your name!!  Anyway, here I am to give you a brief update on what's happening in Gaynor's World!!

I have started 2015 in the way I want to continue throughout the year…….travelling!!  I flew to Adelaide for a friends wedding on 2 January.  The day I arrived it was 42C and there were severe bush fires in the hills.  It didn't deter me from a wonderful 10 days catching up with lovely friends, most of whom I hadn't seen since Roger passed away at the end of 2011.  I had such a great time I didn't really want to come back to Melbourne, but of course I did!!

I am experiencing all sorts of emotions I have never had before.  I think when you lose someone special it just takes time to get to know who you are without your loved one by your side, and the way you should proceed!!  I have found it tough going, I think because we have moved around so much, we haven't put down roots in any one place.  Coming back to Melbourne has been much more difficult than I ever imagined, but I feel I am slowly settling in and feeling like this is where I want to be. 

I have encouraged my youngest daughter Glenda to go back to High School English teaching.  She started a couple of weeks again and I am taking care of Olivia for the 2 days she is teaching.  Olivia will be 1 on the 4 March.  She is the most adorable, happy little girl and I love the one on one time I am getting with her.  I look after Edward, Nathan (3  1/2) & Olivia together most Monday afternoons (unless our dear family friend Cheryl takes the boys on an excursion). 

Jocelyn and I have taken advantage of 2 free Melbourne Symphony  Concerts held 'under the stars' in the last week.  We've taken a picnic dinner and enjoyed the music immensely.  

I have started swimming again and I do hope I will have the discipline to continue doing this twice a week.  I do enjoy just getting in the pool and lap swimming.  I am aiming for 20 laps of the 50metre pool.  I've only been going 2 weeks and am already up to 14 laps!!

I am also continuing with Badminton which I play on a Friday afternoon.  I really enjoy it, even though I'm not fantastic!!  My multi focal glasses sometimes give me problems!!  (Well, that's my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it!!).

Here is a little overview of what my year is looking like at the moment:

• For the first time my 4 sisters and I will have a holiday together for 10 days to celebrate my sister Irene's 65th Birthday.  I fly to Perth on 8 March and we will all fly to Bali until 20 March.  We all can't wait.  It is going to be a lot of fun, and hopefully the start of many holidays we might have together!!!!
• I am back for 1 week and will fly to the Gold Coast to catch up with friends we knew in Basel.  I will spend 10 days with Anna and Val at their lovely property at Ormeau.
• I fly to Adelaide on 26 June for 10 days.  A good friend and I will spend some days at the beach (even though it will be winter - we'll enjoy the beach from inside the home!!).
• Around the middle/late August I will fly to Basel once again and catch up with all my good friends there.  I beginning to give them 'warning' now!! 
• Roger's lovely niece Anna will marry Irishman Phil near Dublin in the middle of September and I am planning to attend the wedding.

With my lovely friend Mary in Adelaide

Christmas Day with Olivia

Chloe ( 2 1/2)

Edward and Nathan

My lovely garden and front entrance