New Year's Eve shenanigans.........

With 2014 almost at a close it was time to return to Pemberton to see it out in true country style.  Rob and Jill were playing host to four couples and what a time we had.

Marg and Peter escaping winter in France had arrived on Monday.  Bill and I had at last left our very hot site in Hazelmere and driven down arriving mid afternoon on Tuesday.  We found Jill and Marg hard at work in the kitchen making a Rabbit Terrine for lunch the next day.  It smelt delicious.

A little later on we were joined by Janet and David who had also had come down from Perth followed closely by Lousie and David who arrived in their Camper Van.  We had set up beside the house and they found a nice level spot a little further along in front of the shed.  Marg and Peter in the Brown Room and Janet and David in the Blue Room completed the living arrangements for the next few days and then it was onto the verandah to start what was to be a fabulous few days filled with fun, food, drink and lots of chatter and laughter.

It wasn't long before it was time for aperitifs and the Gin and Tonics were soon followed by bottles of White and Red wine, and the most wonderful dinner prepared by Jill and Marg and cooked on the barbie by David and Rob.  Seared beef with homegrown salad followed by a divine cheese platter saw us all eat far too much as is want to happen at these gatherings. Not long after we all went our separate ways to curl up in bed and rest up for the next day.

The next morning the kitchen became a hive of activity as breakfast was prepared and soon after we were back around the big table on the verandah enjoying homemade bread toasted, local avocados, bacon, tomatoes and basil from the garden.  And of course great coffee.  Delicious.

Once the dishes were sorted and a new loaf baking in the bread maker most of us jumped into the cars and went on a foraging trip Pemberton style.  We visited an apple orchard where we had been invited to pick our own apricots from their few trees by the house.  

Jill took us on a tour of the area stopping next at Mystic Bamboo where we met a most unusual couple Jeep and Kevin.  From their farm gate they sell all sorts of goodies made from the bamboo they grow on the property.  In their yard we found the most quirky barbecue I have ever seen recycled from an old Hills Hoist.

Saying goodbye to them our next stop was The Pemberton Marron Farm where we picked up 10 good sized Marron for one of our New Years Eve courses that night.  The owner here took us for a guided tour of the facility and the Electric Blue Marron in the tank were just amazing.

Back at home we lunched on the fabulous Rabbit Terrine and salad, rested for a couple of hours and reconvened in the kitchen where we all had a job to do for dinner that night.   There was much chopping, stirring, spreading and lots of chattering as we worked away and before we knew it the time had come to open the 'bubbles' and our New Years celebration was underway.

We were spoiled as dishes appeared throughout the evening starting with an amazing Zuchini Flower stuffed with Labneh followed two loaves of freshly baked focaccia straight out of the pizza oven.  

This was followed by the Marron we had bought earlier.  Served on deep fried Betel Leaves from Jeep this was just so tasty we were all in foodie heaven.

Marg and Peter had us all lined up for a blind tasting of two bottles they had brought with them from France.  One Champagne and one Cremont.  Only three out of ten people picked the Champagne as their preferred beverage but we all enjoyed the experiment none the less.

With more bottles opened it was time for our main course and the Middle Eastern Lamb roasted in the pizza oven with roasted capsicum, roasted potatoes and green salad was so delicious that everyone was reaching for seconds.

Just when you thought there was no way anything could surpass the courses we had tasted already we were presented with a beautiful Summer Pudding made with local and homegrown berries.  Arriving at the table with a sparkler in place it was an event in itself.  We all got stuck in and enjoyed every mouthful with the yummiest super thick Bannister Farm Double Cream.

As we approached midnight we all began to feel the effects of so much good food and wine and I'm sure we all could have gone to bed but we hung in there and soon after 2014 slipped out and the fireworks in Pemberton announced the beginning of 2015.  We could just see the sky light up through the Karri Forrest.  No colour though.  It had been a fabulous night with great food, good wine and perfect company.  And so to bed!

Back on the verandah the next morning we all devoured the toast, avocados, tomatoes and apricot jam once again.  Most of us needed two cups of coffee to get started but soon after the girls were back in the car with Jill for a trip into Pemberton.  With most of the shops closed on the public holiday we picked up the bits we needed at the supermarket, had a look t The Fine Wood Gallery and then drove out to pick up Avocados and Strawberries at two more farm gates.

We returned home in time to feed the menfolk a wonderful lunch pulled together from leftovers and more fresh produce from Jill's garden.  The afternoon rest break was welcomed by all and a little while later it was a refreshed group that gathered on the lawn for Croquet lessons from Dave.  But not before Janet made us all Margaritas- so good!

We split into two groups here and half played croquet and half played Bocce.  Of course with Jill and Bill on the same Croquet team the result should have been a foregone conclusion however trash talking and bottom wiggling seemed to sway the ref (or so Jill and Bill say) and Marg and Janet won the day.

On the Bocce pitch I think it was David's goosing and Rob's stick that did the damage but we laughed all around our newly designed course and were still friends at the end.  The finish was a close one but I think David won the day.

Back on the verandah with another Margarita we all enjoyed a moment of calm before it was back into the kitchen to chop etc tonight's dinner and once again we were enjoying another gourmet meal prepared by Jill and cooked by David in control of the barbecue again.

Chicken, salsa and salad followed by a wonderful apricot crumble was enjoyed by all and we all headed off to bed reasonably soon after.  We're not really old farts just weary ones after three days and nights of partying!

Waking to rain the next morning we had to make some adjustments to the tables on the verandah and were looking very much like 'The Last Supper' as we all sat down to our final breakfast.  Once again we enjoyed Jill's fresh bread and fresh produce and then it was time to pack and go our separate ways.

We did this and all said goodbye to each other and were on the road soon after.  We had enjoyed a fabulous time with good friends and can only say a huge thank you to Jill and Rob for having us all and making NYE 2014 one we will remember for a long long time.

And so now all there is to do is wish you all a very safe, happy and healthy 2015 and for those of you who read these ramblings there will be more as we travel around this great country.

until next time........

It's Christmas time.........

The next morning was Christmas and we were up early for the big day with our boys and their families.  Soon after 7.00 am we were on our way to David's for breakfast and to see the kids opening presents.

Sarah cooked us yummy pancakes for breakfast and soon after it was present time.  

Corbyn and Amelie enjoyed opening all the presents under the tree and were thrilled with all they had received.  

Corbyn loved his Starwars spaceship, Spider-Man hoodie and the many books and t- shirts.  

Amelie was tickled pink with all her Frozen goodies especially her Queen Elsa dress.  And doesn't she look beautiful all dressed up.

Not long after we were back in the car and on our way to Gareth's place where we were having Christmas dinner all together with Marion and Dylan.  Taegan and Marion were hard at work cooking Christmas dinner when we arrived and the smells from the kitchen were delicious.  

With everything in the kitchen under control it was time to open presents here and Noah managed to get into his with his Mummy's help.  

When it was time for dinner we ate on the patio and enjoyed a delicious traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Sarah made the salads and the Beetroot one was amazing.  Of course we all ate too much but it's Christmas isn't that what you are supposed to do!  And we finished with Pat's yummy Christmas pudding and Marion's awesome trifle.

Then it was time for some fun with Corbyn, Amelie and Noah while we recovered from the food fest.  We all said goodbye late in the afternoon and returned home for a very quiet evening in.  We had thoroughly enjoyed spending Christmas day with our family in Perth, the first time for 10 years.  We won't leave it so long again!

We were going to have a quiet Boxing Day at home just chilling in the van at Hazelmere after a quick trip to the shops at Midland looking for a cable for the computer.  The shops were bedlam so we soon gave up and left the crowds behind.  Later in the afternoon we decided to go for a drive and went to see Mundaring Weir.  We were surprised at the reasonalby high water level.

On Saturday we had a sausage sizzle at the van so the kids could see where Nana and Poppa lived at the moment.  It was  a hot day but we managed to stay shaded with the awning and side shades.  

David and Bill cooked the sausages and we all enjoyed them with fresh bread and lots of sauce. 

Corbyn and Amélie escaped some of the heat with the Bananagrams while I did the dishes in the air conditioned van.

After dinner we returned to Lorraine and Hans place for a get together with friends and had a fabulous night with Marg and Peter, Debs and John, Bett and Brian and of course our wonderful hosts Lorraine and Hans.  A fun night was had by all and it was almost 2.30am when we finally returned home and got to bed.

Sunday evening we had another great night with Nancye and Bob at their place for a barbie.  It was good to see Craig, Fiona, Neil and Melody again too.  We enjoyed another delicious meal and a fun night and though not quiet so late as the one before it was well past 'pumpkin time' again when we got home to bed.

On Monday we had lunch with Gareth and Taegan at their place and Poppa got to play with Noah having a wonderful time with a laughing little boy. So cute!

We had dinner with David and Sarah and enjoyed seeing Corbyn and Amelie again before it was time to head off to Pemberton for our New Years Eve celebrations at Jill and Robs place.

That's another story so until next time.........

The lead up to Christmas........

We woke early the next morning and were soon contacting family and friends to make arrangements to catch up over the next two weeks.  

Our first stop was that afternoon to see Corbyn and Amélie with their Mum And Dad.  Having brought most of their work home from school Nana and Poppa were proudly shown some of their workbooks from earlier in the year.

Soon after we joined the traffic for the slow crawl up the Mitchell Freeway to have dinner with Taegan, Gareth and to at last meet our newest little grandson, Noah.   What a pleasure that was, a gorgeous little boy with a happy disposition and a ready smile for all.  Not too long before I was having my long awaited cuddle and enjoying the moment.  

It did take a little while before I handed him over to his Poppa who enjoyed the moments just as I had.  Taegan and Gareth are enjoying being parents and look like they have been doing this forever.

The next day we spent the afternoon having a walk around the Beautiful Lake Claremont.  Bill had been told while we were in Cheynes Beach that this was a great place for water birds.  It was and we enjoyed an hour or so before heading off for the evening with Anne and Paul who are off to spend Christmas with the Melbourne family, didn't coordinate that very well did we!  

Thursday saw us shopping first and then returning to Sarah and David's place for dinner and some Nana and Poppa time with the kids.  They have certainly grown up a lot, as they do, in the last year and at almost 5 and 7 they are real little personalities.

On Friday Bill got up early and returned to Lake Claremont while I stayed right where I was for another hours sleep.  He enjoyed the quiet time and once home the day started to heat up for our first real touch of scorching sun.  37 deg was the forecast but it made 39- ugh!  

We found an air conditioned shopping centre for the morning and spent the afternoon with Gilly and Gary.  It was great to see them again and here all their news.  And we stayed cool too.  We had arranged to visit Deb and John that evening but unfortunately on the way I got sick and we had to turn around and head home.  I spent the next day in bed having to cancel another dinner on Saturday as well.  I think I had dehydrated in the heat but am fine again now and drink so much water its a surprise I don't slosh.

On Sunday we met all the family at Sir James Mitchell Park at South Perth and enjoyed a lovely day, sausage sizzle and a kids playground, what more could we want.  And got lots of cuddles with a very happy Noah.

Leaving the park we drove home for a short rest under the awning before heading off to Beechboro for dinner with Sandra, Vicki and Viktor.  A great night was had by all and Vicki's Strawberry Santas tasted as good as they looked.  Thanks for having us again. 

On Monday after lunch we met Taegan at Joondalup Lakeside SC to finish shopping for Noah and then went on for dinner with Lorraine and Hans at their place.  As usual Lorraine spoiled us and we enjoyed a great fun evening.

Tuesday was a big day with lunch at East Vic Park with Tammy, loved meeting Willow, and seeing Paul when he arrived home from Katanning.  That nightwe were off to The Red Cray in Belmont for dinner with Pat and Russell who I had cancelled on Saturday.  It was a great day and we enjoyed seeing all our good friends.

On Wednesday, Christmas Eve, we just chilled at home catching up on the chores and wrapping the last of the presents.  A quick outing in the afternoon saw us visit the Margaret River Chocolate Co. in the Swan Valley where we sampled the goodies and yes we may have come away with a bar or two of something.   Back at home it was a quiet night in getting ready for the big day tomorrow.

Hope you have all been nice not naughty this year and are all expecting a visit from Santa.  We are looking forward to spending the day with our WA family, the first time here since we left 91/2 years ago.  We'll tell all next time

so until  then..........