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.