Moree - Saturday 29th September 2007

This morning Phil cooked up a BBQ breakfast for us all which was a nice start to the day. Phil went off to play golf with Oges and Sonja & Peter were also playing today.

I went for a nostalgic walk through town to look at all the familiar landmarks.

Images: Jason working in the yard this morning; Phil on the BBQ; Looking up Heber Street from the Royal Hotel; Looking up Heber Street past the Max Hotel; Looking up Balo Street from the Imperial Hotel; Dad's old office in Heber Street; The Memorial Hall (hub of our activities in the old days); Moree Champion Newspaper Office (Some things just never change); Looking up Balo Street showing the new shaded sidewalk seating.

Dinner Friday 28th September 2007

During the afternoon Lorraine's sister Sonja & her husband Peter called in and Phil's mate "Oges". Phil & Oges traditionally spend a few hours at the golf club on Friday evening while Lorraine cooks up a storm in the kitchen. Today was no exception.

Phil, Oges, Peter & I went to the Golf Club for a few drinks and got home in time for a baked chicken dinner. Very nice! We gave Lorraine a hard time because she forgot to make the gravy. Oges said the beans needed a little longer & Phil said he didn't get offered vegetables or stuffing. I tried to twist the pepper grinder & managed to get it to fall apart. (It was one of those press button modern pepper grinders).
We had a nice red wine with dinner - "Maker's Table" so eveyone was happy.

I did manage to catch up with one of my school friends at the club - Ken Rottenberry & his wife which was good. We are all meeting tomorrow afternoon for a walk through the school.

Image attached : Lorraine, Oges, myself & Phil at dinner.

Moree weekend - Friday 28th September 2007

After rushing off from golf yesterday I did manage to make the flight to Moree in plenty of time. It was a good flight, stopping off at Narrabri briefy to exchange passengers. Phil picked me up at the airport about 8 o'clock and Lorraine had a lovely dinner waiting for me. After a good nights sleep I felt much better this morning. I was in my old room by myself for the first time in 40 odd years.

Phil took me to the Moree Secondary School to try and find some school records of John's last year at school. Unfortunately the library was closed that day - so no success.

We then went on to the Golf Club where we went out in a cart & Phil showed me all around the course (photos attached). We then went home for morning tea and then back to the Golf Club for lunch with some of Lorraine's friends (photo attached).

The weather has been fantastic all day and it has been a good start to the weekend.

Images attached: Phil & Lorraine's house in Moree (my old home); Lorraine's "Queen Elizabeth" rose; various photos of the Moree Golf Course; Phil & Lorraine in Lorraine's beautiful flower garden; Phil & Lorraine in front of Mum's old "miniature" pine tree; Lorraine & her friends at the Moree Golf Club luncheon.

Golf - Thursday 27th September 2007

Today was another lovely day for golf. Today I played in the knockout with Rosemary Cohen as my partner against Di Beechey and Rosie Judd. We had a fantastic day - not only because we won but the match was played with great spirit and attitude.

We did not start well losing the first two holes, however we picked up our act and started to square some holes. I got a birdie on the 6th and by the half way mark we were even. The back nine was a see saw and by the 17th we were one up. Di & Rosie won the 17th making us even facing the 18th. What an exciting finish. Rosemary played the hole beautifully & won the day for us. Rosemary did some great putting during the last nine & kept the opposition at bay.

I would have loved to have stayed to celebrate but I had a plane to catch to take me to Moree for the long weekend so I could attend my school reunion.

My garden - Thursday 27th September 2007

Images from my garden this morning : "Perfect Moment" (Orange/red/yellow); Queen Elizabeth (Pink); "Graham Thomas" (Buttercup yellow); "Mount Shasta" (White); " Seduction" (Pink/White) "Samantha" (Red).

Golf - Tuesday 25th September 2007

Today was a monthly medal stroke event. The day was perfect for golf and the course was in great condition. My playing partners today were Rosemary Cohen and Evelyn Dixon. We had a lovely day. This was my first experience in playing against the 'bundy clock' which was put in place to stop slow play. I was amazed to find that most players finished under four hours which would have to be a record for a stroke event. The system seems to be beneficial so far. The highlight of our day was Evelyn Dixon winning the nearest the pin on the 8th hole. (photo attached of Rosemary Cohen, Evelyn Dixon & myself at the 10th tee.)

Tonight the AGM of the club was held and was well attended by the members.
Photo attached of me congratulating Col Matterson (club Director) on his 60th birthday this week.

Dinner - Monday 24th September 2007

Tonight our good friends George & Tosca came for dinner and as usual were great company. We talked about old times & the places we have travelled together & other places that we would love to travel to in the future.

My garden - Monday 24th September 2007

Images from my garden today: "Peace" rose in full bloom (Lemon/pink/white); "Fiona's Wish" Fiona Cootes' rose (Heart transplant girl) (Red/Cream)

Golf and Dinner Dance - Sunday 23rd Sept. 2007

Today was the third and final round of the mixed team series. It was a beautiful day for golf and the course was in great condition. Today we played with our team members Ian Mitchell & Iris Talbot. Iris had a good steady match and came in with 36 points and was definately our strongest link. We were not good enough to win the day or the series but had a good day in any case.

Following presentation we had a dinner dance that was well attended by the members.
The food was good & the band that played ("Brassick") were really fantastic & everyone danced all evening.

Images: With our team partners Iris Talbot & Ian Mitchell; with Yvonne Wilson at the dinner dance; dancing up a storm on the dance floor.

Dinner - Saturday 22nd September 2007

Tonight we had dinner at Bert & Annie Brink's place with the group to discuss a pending 2008 golfing holiday to China. The group included Bert & Annie Brink, Clyde & Lyn Cruickshank, Ron & Chris Dekker, Ron & Lyn Puiatti & Des & Yvonne Wilson.

We had a stroke of winter today & the evening was very cold. Dinner was perfect & we had a very enjoyable night. We watched the football semi final between Manly & North Queensland & not everyone was happy with the result. Bert & Annie were great hosts with the boys enjoying a challenge match of Kelly Pool to finish the night.

Images: Roses from my garden for our hostess Annie; various photos of the group during the night including the pool challenge match.

Garden Trophy - Friday 21st September 2007

The winners of the Gosford City Garden Competition were announced yesterday.

I am so excited! Our "Ladies" garden on the 13th tee has been judged the best Commercial garden in the district under 1000m2 even though it is only three months old. The garden will probably take two years to mature so it is fantastic to think we got 'first prize' at this early stage. WOW!

My garden - Friday 21st September 2007

Images from my garden this morning : "Princess de Monacco" (Pink/white); "Perfect Moment" (Red/Yellow); "Peace" (Yellow/cream/pink); Climbing "Galway Bay" (Red);
"It's a winner" (Orange/yellow"); "Peter Frankenfield" (Pink); "Red Cross" (Dark Red); Climbing "Red Kardinal" (Red); Climbing "Double Delight" (White/Pink).