What a concert!

Last night I went to see Carole King and James Taylor in concert, "The Troubador Reunion" at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre with one of my sisters. We caught the new tram on its new tracks to the Centre - a very comfortable trip. The concert was absolutely brilliant - a wonderful, superb performance from Carole and James. The back up singers and their band were sooooo good. Lots of bluesy, jazz infused versions of old favourites, and soft sweet ballads as well. Everyone downstairs was standing and grooving by the end. Lots of feet stamping, raucous applause for encores - from a mainly 50 and over crowd. Our children should see us like this! The worst thing about the show was that it had to end, but we got nearly two and a half hours of truly fantastic music. And today I have gone out and bought two CDs, one by Carole and the other by James, so I can relive some of it. I hope there will be a CD of the concert released at some stage.

Urbrae House.

Today Eion and I went on a tour of Urbrae House, an impressive 1890's mansion in the grounds of the Waite Institute. The house was the family home of Peter Waite who bequested all the land and buildings to the University of Adelaide on his death in 1922. I had no idea there was so much land on the Institute's grounds. Plus lots of other buildings which make up the campus, and the arboretum which is open to the public. The house is also available for weddings, parties and concerts. It is nestled right into the foothills with an underground living area (including a huge billiards room and ball room) as well as the grand ground floor rooms, some of which now function as fantastic museum areas, beautifully laid out with the history of the Waite family and mementoes of their family life. Fancy living in Adelaide for 60 years and only discovering this treasure now!!

My birthday! #2

Here are a few more photos from my birthday party.

My birthday!

Last night was simply amazing. My dear sister Cindy and my niece, Jenne put on the best birthday party I have ever had. My beloved son and gorgeous daughter in law arrived from Sydney and gave me a wonderful surprise, and I was surrounded by my very best friends and truly fabulous family. Cindy, Jenne and Lone had prepared delicious food; there was lots of great wine and my sort of music. Two more elephants to add to my collection, some lovely jewellery and a CD of the Cliff Richard and The Shadows Reunited 50th Anniversary concert, (which I'd seen in early February at the Entertainment Centre with all my sisters and thoroughly enjoyed) plus some very special bottles of wine, were all wonderful presents. Best of all was the terrific company and fun filled loving atmosphere. If this is what being 60 is all about, let there be more of it!!!

Just chit chat to update previous posts.

The final count in the state election is still to be completed but the Labor government will be returned with a reduced majority. The key figures say they have understood the electorate's dissatisfaction with their perceived arrogance and "pushy" non consultative style, but so far I see no evidence that they are going to change their behaviour!! It could be 4 more years of the same stuff that has been turning the people off, and then Labor will definitely lose the next election.

Have resolved the issues with MBSA about paying me, and am happy to do the next bit of work for them but I have to wait for the "main player" to produce a time line during which I can get involved. If it's not possible to do the work before 16th April, then it won't get done by me. Eion and I leave for our overseas holiday on April 20th and I want the few days beforehand to sort out all sorts of things (like making sure there is sufficient dog and cat food for the 9 weeks we are away!).

My friend in Nepal is now connecting with lots of her mates, and me, through Face Book as it's easier to write quick notes on it than composing new blogs. Fine by me - I love hearing from her any which way.

Nepal # 2

I have received a long and newsy email from my friend in Nepal. She tells us all about the conditions in which she is living ( appalling! but she is philosophical and accepting this will be the way of life for her for at least a year) and how she will soon move into some better accomodation which she will have to herself. At present she is living with a family in a few less than comfortable rooms. She has had a short time at her school but there are holidays now for a couple of weeks, and she starts her real teaching job in April. She thinks the head master will "use" her as an ally to bring about some improvements to the school and its curriculum and she is excited about this. She is still very much enamoured of a particular young man who played a large part in her decision to go to Nepal.

My birthday

Well, I'm recovering from a fairly boozy afternoon yesterday (my actual birthday). Had a great time with some dear friends, although the food was dreadful. The company, conversation and lots of wine were excellent. And I'm really looking forward to a party later this week when I can celebrate again with my family and several more old mates. I've decided that the number "60" doesn't matter at all - it's another birthday, and it's as simple as that. I was very spoiled with lots of cards and messages, gorgeous flowers and an utterly fabulous present of two glass elephants to add to my collection.

Maybe more work and definitely more fun!

The Medical Board has asked me to do a few days more work for them next week - we are having a few hassles about how I should be paid but if we can resolve this, I'll do the job for them. Tomorrow is the state election for South Australia - not really "fun", I suppose, but I do enjoy watching the count on TV and listening to the political pundits forecasting what they believe will happen. And this election is allegedly going to be close so the telecast and the unfolding of which party wins could be interesting.
More importantly, it is my 60th birthday on Sunday and we are going to lunch with some dear friends for a small celebration. And next Friday, one of my sisters is hosting a party for my birthday to which my family and several old mates are coming. So the next week will hold work challenges and good times.

Nepal # 1 vs Adelaide

Have heard from my friend in Nepal. She has just started her teaching job and is nervous about it. But so far she is still feeling as though she has a special connection to the country and the people, so she is excited and eager as well. Makes my life seem mundane - but I really am enjoying what I do. This week has mainly been spent lunching with friends who all have different interests and habits, so every meeting is different and the conversation ranges over an amazing variety of topics. Yesterday for example, I heard how the Chinese had influenced the virility and blooming properties of roses!

Lunch with friends

Eion and I have just spent a wonderful afternoon with some of my friends from high school. Barb and Drew know the most amazing ethnic bakeries, butcheries, deli's and grocers (all in the suburbs of Adelaide) and can put together a truly delicious meal. Plus Drew's knowledge of wine is mind blowing, so a lunch at their place is a real treat. Other guests included a buddy now living in Canberra (he and his partner came over for the Mahler concert) and a mate who is inspired to cause some embarassment to the current SA government over a particular issue. What an amazing conversation we had - ancient history, wine, buffalo wings, management theory, local politics, international travel and victoriana were just part of it.

Fringe # 4 2010 and Festival # 1

We saw our last Fringe show last night - Hannah Gadsby, a wonderful Australian comedienne, telling a bitter-sweet story about walking across England, the foibles of her fellow walkers, and her personal struggles with depression. Very funny and poignant; probably the highlight of the Fringe for me. Our one and only venture into the Adelaide Festival occurs tonight when we go to the Mahler 8 concert.We'll be in a corporate box, thanks to some wealthy friends who bought the box in an auction for a charity. Mind you, we're still going to pay for our tickets. The piece of work I have now finished for the Medical Board will offset the cost of the concert very nicely, and also help pay for some wines we've splurged on recently.

A bit of work and a bit of fun.

Have just done a day's work with the Medical Board - paper based research - and will need to spend some more time there next week to finish it. The $ are nice, but it's also interesting stuff and I really like the people in the office. Plus tomorrow we are going to visit some friends who have a shack on the Murray at a place called Murrawong between Murray Bridge and Mannum - we haven't been to the river since we "lost" Dad's shack. (That's Dad's place in the top photo and the page titled "On the River Murray" tells you a bit more about it). And we haven't seen these friends for about 3 years, so I'm really looking forward to catching up with all their news. The bottom photo is the view of the river from our friends' shack. There are a couple more photos of them and their place on the page "On the River Murray".

Fringe # 3 2010

Saw another great show last night - three women trained as percussionists at Elder Conservatory, now doing Japanese drumming. They even make their own drums! Lots of energy and fantastic rhythm. The venue was excellent - a cabaret at the Lions Centre. And we caught the tram from South Tce around to City West - our first trip beyond Victoria Square.

Fringe # 2 2010

Went to Joe Camilleri concert last night - just superb. But Sam Simmons ( comedian) was woeful! The Northern Lights along North Tce are brilliant. We've been having a great time at Fringe shows this year ( apart from Sam)and the Garden of Unearthly Delights was really pleasant last night - not too busy, cool weather, pretty lights, good food.