New VOLVO!

OUR cool new wheels.  In doing so we've also become a ONE car family!  Rising costs, fixed income and the need to economise voila ....

It will be a bit of an adjustment for both of us but with a bit of cooperation and compromise by both parties it should all be sweet.  Dave has his bike to ride in good weather and when I pass my motorbike licence test it will be suffice for zipping around town ... in good weather.

Anyway the new car is diesel - it's the XC60 D5 luxury model, it's very comfortable, very fuel efficient and surprisingly very zippy.  It has no scratches yet!  Also we are tolerant of the cliche Volvo drivers jokes. Incidentally didn't Volvo win some exciting race just recently??

Kev's 60th

Recently we made a road trip to Townsville to help celebrate a 60th birthday of a longtime friend, Kev Smith.  We've known Kev from the late 1970's and he also is a very good dental prosthiesist who does some top work on Dave's teeth.

We were treated to some fabulous food which was mainly Thai cuisine.  After we had eaten and drunk to our heart's content Kev said a few words.

 Kev and Betty - the guest of honour and his lady friend

Big brother in the middle with more of the Smith boys

Some of Kev's immediate family, his son Thomas and daughter Annabelle

brother and sister

Kev's other daughter, Cheripon

Melissa and Thomas

Cheripon and husband Darren, Kev's daughter and son-in-law

Some of the magnificent sweets that were served - they were all home made.  Note the fruit and vegie creation at the front, the watermelon, sweet potato and carrots were all carved into flowers.

The party was mainly a gathering of Kev's friends, colleagues and many of his large family.  A photo missing was of his grandchild of 7 months, young Jackson.  He is a real cutie as most kids are who aren't mobile.

Our bedroom view

We stayed at a great resort on the Riverway in Thuringowa.  Itara Apartments were beside the Ross river surrounded by walkways and tropical gardens.  It was a popular haunt for locals and visitors and we spent our fair share of frequenting the paths.  It was a beautiful spot.

Our lounge room view

We had a lovely relaxing time over three days in the semi tropics with idyllic weather.  During the time there we also managed to spend time with another fellow of the same vintage - Dubbo.

Three amigos

Golf 'Champs'

Recently Gympie Womens Golf Club held their championship over 72 holes.  We played in perfect weather and course conditions so there were no excuses for poor performances! (only oneself).

Jean Peters, Dorothy Bramley, Dell Groundwater, Virginia Reid, Lorraine Elliot  and Joy Hatton - absent Cindy Lawson and Di Bengthamy

Those in the picture fared better than the other competitors - we were winners in our own little ways.  The lady in the middle, Dell, is probably the only real golfer with a mighty swing and finesse around the green and she was the overall champion.  She is an amazing athlete for 77 years of age and who was on her deathbed 2 years ago and she has recovered to her best form.

In case you think we are a mob of old cronies who play golf, the two people missing from the picture were in their thirties so there are some youngsters among us.  Incidentally I am not pretending that I possess golf skills, I merely outlasted the others on the course, fortunately my fitness probably saved me.  Also most hackers know that on the day if they are hitting them right then that is just the luck of golf.