Sunday with Carla and Harry

On Sunday I caught the train to Schopfheim and Carla and Harry met me at the Bahnhof and drove me to this gorgeous restaurant in Pfeffenberg in the Black Forest.  It was a Birthday lunch and another celebration for me.

Carla and I chose the Menu of the day with half portions.  This is the starter.  You might just be able to see a sweet corn terrain - yum

This is the view from the balcony where we had lunch.  We were certainly perched on a mountain!!

We had a small bowl of minestrone soup - very cute.  Forgot to take a photo.  So here is the mains which is beef steak with a crusted herb topping and sauce.  Cooked to perfection.

Dessert!!  My goodness it was so delicate and yummy and beautifully presented as you can see.

What an absolutely beautiful lunch with Carla and Harry.  I was meeting Harry for the first time.

CELEBRATING MY 60TH BIRTHDAY

As I thought about the way in which I wanted to celebrate my 60th Birthday, I knew whatever I did I wanted to keep it small!!  I mean, with so many friends, how was I going to do this!!  Also, the diversity of our friends, and I wanted everyone to feel comfortable.  I gave it a lot of thought. 

So, here I am at Gasthaus Zum Loewen in Schopfheim.  This was Roger and my favourite restaurant.  It is a traditional German Restaurant/Hotel owned by a family in the 3rd generation.  (Roger always enjoyed speaking to the owners in German, but I couldn't do this).  

back l-r  Mark, Kevin & Gaudenz
front l-r Christine E, Sabine, Moi and Christine A (who I am staying with)

Each one of these friends are special to me, but then, all our friends are special.  That is why they are our friends!!  All of us stayed overnight in the hotel apart from Gaudenz who had to work on Saturday.

Gaynor, Christine, Sabine & Kevvy in the garden

With my boys!!!!!

One of the entree's enjoyed by my guests!!  I had Pfifferlinge soup (a special type of tiny mushroom found in the forest for about 2 months of the year - it has a divine taste).
Obviously the evening deteriorated after this as I didn't take a photo of the other courses!!

The Chef/Owner came out to the 2 groups in our dining room and wished myself and the man on the other table a Happy Birthday.  I was given some Faller Quince Jam by his wife (gave it to Kevin & Mark).  Then at 11pm he came back with his piano accordian and played Happy Birthday first to me and then the other gentleman.  Then he played quite a few traditional songs and we had so much fun.  Gaudenz and I did a little dance together.  What a perfect way to end my birthday celebrations.

Blessed, blessed, oh so blessed and I know my darling Roger was smiling down at me and us all.

BASEL

My arrival in Basel has given me so much joy.  It is so good to be back here and in such beautiful and familiar surroundings.  I can hardly believe it.  To know so many of our friends are here and ready to welcome me back is so lovely and warms my heart.  In some ways it really is like coming home as Roger and I spent 4 1/2 very happy years together in this area from March 2006 - September 2010.

This is where I have truly felt Roger is with me in spirit.  As I walk along the Rhein, travel on the tram, go to Centrepoint, see interesting new building developments, travel on the S6 train - I am conscious of Roger being with me and making little comments like "what a mess, how long is it going to take them to finish this"..... speaking about the building works going on at Messeplatz where all the big conferences are held here in Basel e.g. Art Basel and Jewellery and Watch Show.  

Being right in the heart of Basel is quite fantastic, but it has taken some little time to get used to the evening noises!!  Buskers begin playing outside the open window around 7pm and can go till 10pm.  But I think the Swiss laws have this in hand.  Even at lunchtime they seem to disappear for siesta!!  There is no traffic noise but lots of pedestrians walking back and forth to early hours of the morning (especially on weekends) and the talking carries up to the apartment 4th floor window.

I took myself off to our German Church (FeG Loerrach) Sunday morning and it was good to be back there.  Of course I didn't understand a lot of the service but that didn't worry me one little bit.  It was wonderful to see special friends again.  Then Johnny and Bettina (Ghanian friends) took me to their apartment in Zell for an African lunch of Black Eyed Bean Stew (my favourite and request).

Sunday 6pm I went to the Anglican Evensong in a small chapel off the Munster and a short walk from where I am staying.  I had arranged to meet one of Roger's friends there.  Talk about an Evensong totally out of date.  My goodness I didn't even understand some of the language.  A very well attended service with everyone obviously living in the past.  Definitely King James english!!  I won't be going back, just wasn't my style, though I did enjoy singing the hymns and the organist was very accomplished.

Today I treated myself to a pedicure and I was very, very pleased with the result and price, especially as it took 2 hours.

I will be having dinner with my lovely Swiss friend Christine and her partner Gaudenz this evening.  They have a beautiful apartment on the Rhein, so I am going to enjoy myself.  We won't be sitting outside though as it is rather nippy today.

My Kiwi friend Christine, who I am staying with, is currently in England and will be back on Thursday night, so I have the apartment to myself.  I've been enjoying watching the Olympics, even though the commentary is very GB one sided!! 

Dining in Rome

Carla and I really did have some experiences dining in Rome.  Our first breakfast together was an advertised "English Breakfast" at a small cafe.  Lots of meat on the plate which was a bit of a shock!!


After our siesta on Saturday we had a late lunch at a restaurant opposite our hotel.  We decided we wanted Preseco (Champagne), but when it came out, it definitely lacked bubbles!!  Carla asked if it was a fresh bottle, but that was lost in translation!!  Our main meal was 7euro each - the bill came to 37euro!!  We still can't work this out!!  Very expensive Preseco!!!  We made up for the cost by making our own dinner that night on the balcony at the hotel.

Sunday morning we decided to go local and just have tea and coffee!  We ended up having an omelette each and then became a little wary of the very attentive waiter (we were the only ones in the cafe).  Goodness we did have to laugh when we were well away from the cafe.  What were we thinking!!

Our next dining experience was in the evening.  We had been shopping and decided to try a cafe close to a train station before we headed back to our hotel.  There were several different menu combinations at set prices.  We asked the waiter what was the mains and he very rudely gave us the 3 choices quickly so we couldn't understand what he said!!  Carla asked him to repeat and he did the same thing.  We almost got up and walked off!!  (Why can't I do this?!!)  But we stayed and the meal was very nice BUT the waiter did not get a tip from us!!  We don't like rude people who should be there to serve us.

Again we were looking for somewhere a little bit special to have a tea/coffee.  The place above was decorated in orange with pictures of Roman Holiday on the walls.  They were great and it had a nice atmosphere and very friendly staff.  I wanted gelato (3 SCOOPS) but I did share with Carla.  We bought a very nice sandwich from this place to have later for our lunch.


We kept our Monday breakfast very local, going just down the street BUT were certainly invaded by locals on their way to work for their expresso.  A lovely small clean place and friendly staff.

As we were visiting the Vatican Monday morning I wanted to find the Cafe Roger, Jocelyn & I had found in July 2010.  I had their card with the address on it and I can't believe I took Carla straight to it.  Carla loved the place and we had a yummy lunch together then headed back to our hotel for a siesta.

We had a great dining experience on our last night in Rome.  It was a set menu with pasta, salmon and vegetables, bread, coffee.  We ordered Preseco and red wine to celebrate our last evening together.  Our waiter had a great sense of humour and it was our best dining experience.  We wished we'd discovered this place at the beginning of our stay!

S H O P P I N G ! ! !

Due to the heat and exercise in Rome, I have reduced my dress size considerably!!  Here are a select few of my purchases.  The lovely Carla is my model, though of course she is much bigger than me  ! !

In Rome

My stomach was churning over something terrible when I left for the Airport with Irene at 12.30 on Thursday 26 July.  Poor Irene sure did have to keep me talking to calm me down.  I was thinking (what on earth am I doing.......etc!!).  Well, I did get safely on the plane and all has been well after that.


I had a good flight to Singapore and once off the plane headed straight upstairs for a massage, and it was a beauty (9.30 at night!!).  Did a little shopping of things on my shopping list - small alarm clock, a little makeup.  Time went rather quickly.


Flight from Singapore to Rome was great and I slept like a baby so felt good when I arrived in Rome at 7.25.  Went straight through customs and caught the bus into the Termini (main train station) for 5 euro.  Was able to leave my case at the Hotel and then headed off to say hello to the few 'friends' I have here (shop owners of course!!).  Francoise was able to tell me where I could get a manicure/pedicure from the cutest couple in their 70's who couldn't speak a word of English.  We had lots of fun together.  


I wanted to get a sim card for my phone from Vodaphone.  What fun.  My phone had a restricted code on it and I didn't have a clue what this meant!  Darling Tim was able to tell me what to do.  Ah, the things I have to be learning!!


Did an awful lot of walking around and my feet hurt so much.  Had a lovely shower and rest before heading out to the supermarket to buy dinner.


Carla arrived at the room at midnight.  I had been sleeping a little while.  It is so good to be with her and have her lovely company.  She is such a darling and great to help me with my shopping!!


Saturday morning we had an 'English breakfast' at a Cafe and then headed for Saxon's to do some serious clothes shopping.  I was so pleased to see Erik at Saxon's.  He designs the Edas range of clothes.  He dressed me in all sorts of things, most not suitable for a Nanna who would like to be spending lots of time on the floor with her grandchildren!  I'm just going to have to be one very hot Nanna when I take them to the park, cafe, zoo, etc.  Can't promise any photo's just yet.


After a siesta and late lunch we headed for the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, etc.  Lots of walking, so many tourists and great fun together.  We finished the night on the balcony of our little hotel having our nibbles, salad, red wine and lovely.


Just woken from a really good sleep and getting ready to face another day of sightseeing.  Mustn't mention the heat as I was complaining about the cold in Perth (well it was actually just George and Irene's cold house)!!

My beautiful sisters

l-r:  In order of age!!  Jillian, Cherith, Irene, Gaynor and Brenda

I want to pay tribute to my beautiful sisters.  It's not often the 5 of us all get together.  In fact I think we have only been all together 3 times since I returned to Australia in Sept 2010.  So, it's pretty special.


My sisters have loved, supported, encouraged, prayed for me, in every possible way and I realise how much this has meant to me and helped me to continue my journey on this earth.  


Visiting Cherith & Ken's farm in Hyden is a real treat, even if it is a 4 hour drive to get there.  Irene drove Roger & myself there last November for the annual Hymnfest where the Annear girls featured!!  Even though Roger wasn't well, it was such a happy, relaxed and encouraging time for us.  Then Irene & George drove me up there at the beginning of June for the long weekend.  A group of us girls even managed a trip to 'Hollywood Bowl' - (a dam on the property), for champagne and nibbles late afternoon!  Great fun, even if it does take a bit of organising. 


The following Thursday I bravely drove 3 hours on my own up to Jillian's farm at Badgingarra, which is north of Perth on the way to Geraldton.  What an absolute treat it was to have Jillian all to myself.  I don't think this will happen again in a hurry, which is a shame.  We made sure our work was done (mainly having to hand feed the 500 sheep) so that we could cuddle up on the lounge and watch a good DVD in the evenings!!  Jillian has regularly sent me lovely encouraging messages and just given me the will not to give up.


Brenda rings regularly and we try and catch up when we can.  I was able to help Brenda when she came out of hospital a couple of months ago.  I went over to her place and stayed for 4 days and we had a great time together.  Brenda is so practical and loving.


Irene has just been plain AMAZING!  She was so good with Roger and was always ready to pitch in and help.  Roger's face would just light up the minute Irene walked in.  So precious.  Irene is my Chinese Checkers buddy.  We play VERY regularly and it's a great form of relaxation.  Most times we are neck and neck and we always look forward to the next game.  George gets a bit....grrrrrrrr!!  Irene keeps me grounded and charged up!  Irene & George have loved and supported me through this year, inviting me to dine with them regularly and stay over night if I've enjoyed wine!!  It's been a good distraction to get 2 Apartments up and running as Fully Furnished Rentals.  Fun and hard work at the same time.  Finding good short term accommodation in Perth is at a premium, especially with the Mining boom here, so you can't go wrong with rentals.


Jillian, Cherith, Irene and Brenda - I love you all very, very much and want to thank you for being here for me.  You are all so very special indeed.