LIFE

Life is ticking along. Can you believe it is now March? My goodness what is going to happen to this year. Which means I make the most of each and every day. I am recovering from the common cold (most miserable) so have not felt like doing much at all. I've even enjoyed a couple of sleeps in the afternoon. I'd love to do it all the time, just to recharge the batteries, but it usually doesn't happen.

I've had some lovely contacts with people that I wouldn't normally come into contact with of late and I've thoroughly enjoyed this. I love people. Can't seem to get enough of them.

Hiking has been great and of course a good way to have long conversations as you come alongside people that are walking the same pace as you!
I've been involved in a 6 week 'Memoir Writing Workshop' which I have found very challenging. Probably not the best time to be doing it, but I have really enjoyed the other 4 ladies doing the course and it has challenged me in a way I haven't been challenged before. We've had 3 sessions so far. It is being run at Centrepoint (the English speaking Club in Basel) and of course if free to members, so that's a bonus in itself!

Last Sunday we went with friends to visit a Christian Celtic Community in Einigen, Switzerland. I will post a few photo's Roger took. It was the most beautiful day and the Alps looked stunning. What a joy it was to meet Roger and Ursula, who run the Community.

Driving in the car to Einigen

View from the house to the barn and lake

Roger playing 'tag' with Stryker-Ann and Wils!

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY TIM

Our Darling Son,

It's your big day today, 23 February. We wish you a very Happy Birthday. We know we will be missing out on all the fun as you celebrate with your family and friends, but our loving thoughts will be with you on this your special day.

We love you very much our darling Tim. We are very proud of you in all you have done and we want to wish you much happiness in the coming days, months and years. We pray that God will bless you in all you do as you seek to be guided by him.

With our love,

Dad and Mum xo xo xo xo

Visit to Rickenbach

Silence isn't always golden! It's been a tough couple of weeks with emotions overtaking me that I just hadn't imagined. I don't want to 'bear all', needless to say I am feeling a bit better so time for a post.

What better way to cheer me up than to tell you of a lovely visit Roger and I had to my friend Marianne's place in Rickenback, a half hour drive from here. This visit took place a couple of week's ago. I took some photo's from inside their lovely warm home. I have felt cheated of snow this year, especially after visiting Marianne and Wolfram and seeing all the snow around.









I know some of my lovely blogging friends in the US have been overloaded with snow, so won't appreciate what a novelty it is for this Aussie! My apologies Pat and Pam!

FEELING A BIT SAD

My Dad (Bob or Grandad Bob) and his beloved Vic

Robert Walter Annear - born 3 July 1923 in South Australia,

died 2 February 2008 in Western Australia

84 years of age

My Dad went home to be with his Heavenly Father early this morning. At last he is at peace and reunited with his beloved wife. It is such a relief that God in his mercy has taken him to Heaven as these past 10 weeks spent in hospital have been particularly hard for him, but even harder for my sisters Irene and Brenda as they have constantly visited him and tried to care in a loving way for him.

I long to be with my sisters Jillian, Cherith, Irene and Brenda at this time, but that is not going to be. We have arranged for our daughter Jocelyn to fly to Perth to represent our family and be with my sisters and the extended family. She will give us a good report back.

ENJOYING A FABULOUS AUSSIE DAY

"Brown Jug Polka" - one of our favourites and lots of fun - of course!

...... back the other way!

Roger speaking to Lisa about her paintings

Jamie singing some of his ballads

Needless to say we had a wonderful Australian Day celebration with approx 60 adults and 20 children attending the day Roger and I organized. Yes, it was lots of work, but once we have recovered we will say it was worth it. We almost managed to make ends meet, which was our major concern as we had to hire the hall, projector, buy the sausages, rolls and of course make the afternoon tea.

There were 20 Aussies present, many we hadn't met before and they all enjoyed getting together for a celebration.

We started with a sausage and onion, lamington or carrot cake. Then we put on a bit of Aussie Rules Footy for people to watch followed by Bush Dancing, afternoon tea, Jamie singing and then more Bush Dancing. There was a table for the children to draw and make kangaroo masks (very popular) and everything seemed to go very smoothly.

Now Roger and I are recovering!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY - 26 JANUARY 2008

It's not quite Australia Day here in Schopfheim, Germany but I am going to be far too busy to blog tomorrow, so I'll get in early.

Roger and I are putting on an Aussie Day Bash at Riehen near Basel in Switzerland. We have hired a hall, hired a projector, 2 friends are bringing BBQ's, we have 150 wurst (sausages), 100 hot dog rolls, lamingtons, lemon coconut slice, raisin chews, chocolate slice (not really special to Australia but I made a mistake with something so it turned into this!!!), honey joys, Anzac biscuits - plain and with macadamia nuts, passionfruit yo yo's, carrot cake and loads of drinks.

We have 55 adults confirmed coming and 20 children (.......). We will start at 1pm with the Sausage sizzle then be entertained by Jamie from Australia who will sing and play his guitar; Roger is insisting on playing a bit of the Australian Football League Grand Final from end of September (because OUR TEAM WON), then we will have afternoon tea and a Bush Dance. The afternoon will finish at 5pm and we will come home exhausted!

I hope we will be able to get someone to take lots of photo's so I can put them here on my blog when I have recovered!

SAILING ALONG ! ! !

Roger and Tom at the Trevi Fountain. Throwing some of Tom's unwanted coins in the water!!



















Tom and Glenda - photo definitely not taken in Rome - weather too warm for these outfits!!


















A very small part of the Vatican!

Sorry for the 'sounds of silence'!! As you can imagine, we have been very preoccupied with Glenda and Tom. They went back to Australia last Tuesday and Roger and I have been madly preparing for our Australia Day celebrations this coming Saturday. Baking, shopping, typing, selling tickets, emailing, making phone calls, etc..... It's shaping up to be a wonderful afternoon of eating, dancing, meeting new people, singing and drinking (soft drink of course).

We had a wonderful 12 days away with Glenda and Tom in Rome and then Berlin. We left home for Rome on 5 January flying EasyJet. We got some great deals. We managed to get a great apartment that was lovely and big and didn't break the bank. It was about 4 km's from the city and we were able to travel each day by bus. Saw some great sights and did some shopping. Will share some photo's soon. I have posted some on Facebook, so if you're my friend you can see some there!

We travelled to Berlin from Rome on 12 January. Glenda found us a great apartment near Checkpoint Charlie and on the 19th Floor. Great views. We raced around seeing everything we possibly could and it was amazing. We all really loved Berlin. Then we came home on 17 January with lots to do.