 I turn 85 21/12/2025 Just before Xmas, I turned 85 years old. We celebrated the occasion by going to the Outback Steakhouse with our good friends Herb and Dawn Hannah. |
 I turn 85 21/12/2025 I must have been living under a mushroom because the prices seemed very expensive to me. Still, it was a lovely evening and we enjoyed Herb and Dawns's company very much. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 Before the festivities begin: we're sheltering under Jacqui's new pergola. It worked well to shade us from the sun. Today was a very pleasant day weather wise - somewhere in the high 20s I would guess. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 We had pre-Xmas snacks on the back veranda; biscuits, crackers, cheeses, spreads, stuff like that. It was very relaxing; and just a bit filling. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 We exchange gifts. Jenni presented Jacqui with a photo montage of pictures that she had previously taken at Jacqui's place. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 Jenni rested before the meals were served. This morning she had done all the driving from Mt Colah to Kandos. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 Jacqui got a lot of help from Jessie to prepare the meals. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 Jenni and I sat back and did bugger all. It was lovely to have such a fuss made of us. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 It's very difficult to get a good photo of Jessie. So I've included this photo which, despite it's errors, is quite a good shot of Jessie. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 Jessie had her usual vegan dish which to me looked totally uninspiring. Jacqui, Jenni and I had cold ham and baked lamb. Jacqui went out of her way to put on a special show for everybody - her family. I'm honoured to be part of this. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 Jessie's big news is that she has been admitted to the Bar. This happened at the Supreme Court of NSW in a ceremony replete with robes, wigs and other instruments of the legal professional. We are very proud of her but she thinks it's no big deal. She is qualified to offer legal advice in civil cases but cannot represent her clients in court. |
 Xmas at Kandos with Jacqui and Jess 25/12/2025 Jessie smiles for the camera. By the way, she is very, very fit. Now that she's free of study, Jessie spends lots of time outdoors hiking, rock climbing and abseiling. |
 Boxing Day at Kandos and Jess 26/12/2025 After the festivities were over, Jenni and I went to the motel that we we had booked for the night. We did not stay at Jacqui's place because Jessie needed somewhere to stay as well. |
 Boxing Day at Kandos 26/12/2025 The motel was in a lovely spot overlooking a golf course. From here, we visited Jacqui's place and had breakfast with her and Jess. |
 Boxing Day on the way home 26/12/2025 Boxing Day and we head for home. At the top of the Blue Mountains, around Blackheath, the weather turned foggy and cold with temperature now 8° from 22° in Kandos. |
 On our way home from Kandos 26/12/2025 The temperature outside the car is a frigid 10°. |
 On our way home from Kandos 26/12/2025 Outside Leura, we pass under the Aunty Joan Cooper bridge. Then it's a downhill drive until we reach the motorways and the Northconnex tunnel then we are as good as home. Thus ends a beautiful Xmas with my beautiful girls (all three of 'em). End of this story. Return home when you're done. |