Fun with friends

As you have gathered the last few months have been a little more low key than usual. Bill's dodgy hip has kept us closer to home than in other years. That is apart from our last little trip to Queensland of course. And I suppose that if you have to slow down for a few weeks than there is really no better time to do that than winter. The other thing you will have gathered from my recent ramblings is that this winter has been the coldest & wettest for some time. This is not a problem as winter is meant to be cold and the rain for the most part is very welcome. In fact we have really only been caught in the rain a couple of times so really can't complain too much.

One of the things we have been able to do is catch up with friends and over the last few weeks we have had some fun times and some great food. The largest gathering was a few weeks ago when all the Victorian guys from the Feb RAAF reunion decided that it was time to say hello again. Eighteen of us gathered at Tsindos, a fabulous little Greek Restaurant, in Lonsdale St and a great time was had by all. Good food, good wine and great company made for a fun night and we look forward to doing it all again soon.

Dinner on Thursday night was lots of fun. Pat was here from Perth visiting her sister and we were happy to steal her for a night of much chatter and catching up. The following night Pat & Tracey were having dinner at a local Pub known for it great steaks. We mentioned that we had never heard of it and were promptly invited to join them. After only a tiny bit of arm twisting we agreed and met them the next night at 'The Rising Sun'. Yes, the steaks were great and the chocolate pudding to die for. We will definitely be going back. And it's within walking distance too. Neither Bill nor I can believe we had never found it before. We had a fun night hearing all about Pat's adventures in Melbourne & country Victoria where she had been visiting some other relatives. Pat went home the next day but I think she just might be back. Loved the shopping!

Last weekend we had a change of pace and instead of heading out for dinner Astrid & Hans took their life in their hands and let me cook for them. A trip to the South Melbourne Markets in the morning provided the inspiration and of course the ingredients for the night's Lamb Roast and Vegetables, followed by Strawberry Tart. All jokes aside, dinner was a success and we had a great night catching up on each others recent trips to find the sun.

Wednesday was the first day of Spring but unfortunately Mother Nature had not been notified and we had our coldest day for weeks. The sun shone the next day though so it is trying. The weekend saw a return to winter across the whole state and it was hats, coats & umbrellas as we headed out to South Yarra where we were meeting Maree, Mum, Jarrod & Aaron to have dinner at Fiesta. It was Maree's birthday and the meal of her choosing was Mexican. A great night was had, the food yummy and the Margaritas just the thing. It was good to see everyone again and we didn't even get wet going home.

Now with another weekend drawing to a close it's time to get back onto the straight and narrow for the week. Next weekend is a work in progress but I'm sure it won't be long before it's sorted.

until next time............