40th Wedding Anniversary

Chris and I celebrated 40 years of marriage with a trip to the city. We dined at
Nick's Seafood Restaurant at Cockle Bay on Sydney Harbour.

We got a great table, as requested, front and shoreside. From there we could
view the water, and fine boats of the rich.

After lunch we strolled along to Barangaroo as we had not seen it yet and
were curious.

We had a cool drink in a hotel in The Rocks before heading back to The Quay
and home.

It was a lovely day and good fun.

Waiting for the food to come and watching the world go by. 

A quite humorous incident, watching the waiters from Nick's trot down the gangplank 

and deliver seafood platters to the rich people's boats in the marina across the way. 

We decided to get two entrees so we could enjoy dessert too. 

Chris started with Sydney Rock Oysters. 

My entree was Crab Ravioli with Wilted spinach and Pernod cream 

dotted with red caviar. I get squeamish about eating caviar. It is so female! 

The head chef must think me such a Philistine to not partake of it!

Though otherwise it was a beautiful dish. 

For mains, Chris had tempura soft shell crab with citrus dressing. 

I had grilled Moreton Bay bugs with orange and fennel salad. 

Dessert was entitled 'Heavenly Crunch'. A chocolate coated tiramisu with salted caramel and a hazelnut filling. It was accompanied by a crunch macaron and Snicker's ice cream. 

Although a very stylish and pretty presentation, it didn't taste much like a tiramisu, 

we think it was just a  mass produced packet one. Disappointing. 

On leaving the restaurant we paused to look at some local sights like this fountain. 

I can find wildlife anywhere. 

Very cute vintage suitcase look, decor outside a bar. 

There are still some building works on the way to Barangaroo, a former industrial 

and dockyard area of Sydney Harbour around from Darling Harbour.  

This printed hoarding had artistic and historical interest. 

This little bay area of Barangaroo had a substantial, sandstone stacked edging of massive blocks. 

We also passed areas of grassed sections which people had rented for functions and parties. 

Looking back as we left the area, you can see the elevation of the hill 

that is part of the parkland of Barangaroo. 

I was delighted to see that heritage architecture still exists in the Rocks area. 

The Palisade Hotel, a funny tall and spindly heritage building. This was recently 

used as the set for an episode of  'Home and Away' with it's rooftop addition.

A photo to show our kids, what public telephone booths used to look like. 

Growing up with The Arts.

With two parents involved in the art scene, the playground was a little
different for my brother and I.

I clearly remember the courtyard of The Bonython Gallery in Sydney,
and my first viewing of Brett Whitely and Barry Humphries there.

I went to 'A Happening' and saw Christo's Wrapup, participated in a
Wombling activity ( early recycled art) and made soapstone sculpture
with the adults.

Hauled junk metal for our Dad's junk sculpture, not happily.

Both parents were fine photographers, Mum an artist. Dad the honorary
photographer for The sculpture Society and The National Trust.

Visiting the homes of  Lyndon Dadswell, Anna Cohen, Bim Hilder,
Tom Bass, Stephen Walker and May Barrie, plus many more.

Ultimately I became an artist and graphic designer, printmaker, and
illustrator.

 Dad's sculpture of Xerxes, made from car parts for a competition. 

Christmas 2017

A lovely couple of days, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the family.

This roadside find was my decorating display piece for treats.

Bob hops up for a pose on the photo backdrop.

I like to use baskets for their rustic charm. 

Some of our handpainted baubles have lasted the distance. 

We somehow gathered this many Christmas plushies over 36 years!

I like this Australian Kangaroo one.

Decorating, cleaning, and Christmas present wrapping with cooking shows 

of Nigella, Jamie and 'Kirsty's Handmade Christmas' on the telly. 

My annual hamper gift for teaching Rodney art.

Bec makes her beautiful mushroom rolls, with lovely fresh herbs.

Bob is very much a kitchen cat and has to supervise everything. Here he is caught napping. 

A little height is needed here. 

Found these vintage decorations from my childhood.

I decided to cater with vintage Wedgewood plates and good cutlery, 

and these vintage beer and water jugs this year.

Chris makes the pastry for the traditional fruit mince pies. This is a continuation of his 

Grandmother's cooking and her hand mincer gets used for the fuit.

The fruit for the frozen ice cream pudding is marinated in Chatelle Napoleon Brandy.

Bob tires of his duty.

An instant revamp of the outdoor lounge, trashed a couple of year's ago on Christmas Day.

My quickie Christmas craft upcycling cast out frames. 

Gathering some curios of Mum's and Dad's. 

Our barefoot vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free chef.

Christmas Day breakfast, half naughty, half nice.

Bob and the fruit mince pie recipe, with his jingle bells on.

The happy soon-to-be-married couple, Sam and Gordon.

Bec secretly wraps last minute presents.

The gift unwrapping, Ben gets some silk screened Tshirts from a local company. 

Bob gets a dish of seafood with cheese for his present. 

Chris gets a new clock radio. 

A basket, Bob, and the wrapping paper. So predictable.

The ever more cringeworthy Christmas tradition pose of the kids. The tree is shrinking.

Bec and Sam are straight onto that 1500 piece puzzle. 

Sam's job of peeling the prawns with Bob's help of course!

The buffet laid out.

Retro party forks and lemon squeezers. 

A lovely relaxed and happy Ben. He reclaims his lounge. 

Gordon catches a puddy tat. 

Blue Swimmer Crab for Chris's supper.

The quaint packaging of the vintage crackerjack tool for the crab.