Xmas 2010

Alex enjoyed our family Christmas. It was almost a full gathering of the clan. We ate lunch outside in the beautiful weather and relaxed in the pool or playing cards in the afternoon.

Silly hats & all. Alex at the head of the long, long table. Very Relaxed

Poached Asian Turkey Breast, Mustard Marinated Eye Fillet of Beef & A fabulous Baked Ham

Mixed Berry Marscapone Cake

Peach and Honey Cake with Orange Syrup

The kitchen hands

The serious poker players

Fun in the pool. Water was beautiful.

Alex always enjoys catching up with everyone

The traditional Boxing Day photo before everyone heads off back home.

"Mickey Mouses" and other concoctions

Alex just enjoyed the end of year cocktail party celebration for "the village". Wonderful people, sampling all kinds of wonderful concoctions, from the very benign "yellow submarine" to the fairly lethal "Mickey Mouse". Alex sincerely hopes no-one's Sunday was exceptionally seedy.

Scene of the crimes

Nice swimming afternoon initially

Things got progressively messier

"No, Cath! I am NOT trying that green slime!!"

Lovely conversations with favourite people

A good night with the most amazing people who've made such a difference in Alex's life.

Wedding in Sydney

Life's been busy on the run-up to Christmas and the end of 2010.

Andrew and Kim's wedding was in Sydney early December. Alex had a good time and looked great. It was a long, hot day, but full of interesting new places and familiar people.

Alex & Dad all dressed up

Alex, bro & Mum

Lots of conversation with the G-Ma

The groom, Cousin Andrew & Auntie Jenny

Granddaughter & Grandmother

Derek & Cousin Adam

That eyebrow!!

Bride Kim & Groom Andrew during speeches

Happy bride

Pool's warm!

At last! 

Thought we'd celebrate getting a perfect water balance certificate from the pool shop.

                                  

Alex was pretty happy... swimming at home is a whole different thing from that spa in town.

Lots of singing too.

Irish Jam Session

Alex really enjoyed the Irish music at the pub yesterday evening. There were tons of musicians, including some of our favourite people. It was also a birthday celebration for Anna, so he saw heaps of people he knows and had a lovely time. If we hadn't pre-ordered some takeaway pizza, we could have stayed for ages longer.

Quite a group playing!

Alex had a seat right behind the action, where he could really enjoy it.

Watching all those musical instruments closely.

The Accordion is his favourite.

Art Gallery Portrait Competition

Alex went to the local Art Gallery last night to see Jen's photograph of him for the Portrait Competition. Lots of people stopped him to tell him how much they liked it.

Alex with Jen, the photographer

This is the photo displayed

Finished up at the pub afterwards, as you do, and drank heaps and heaps (of water). Enjoyed the music there. Big sleep in after that.

Ash Grunwald concert

Alex went to a concert in Bathurst on Wednesday night.

Ash Grunwald

A few people were keen to hear the car door percussion.

He enjoyed his place in the crowd.

Alex, Jen & Hans in the middle of it all

...some hand clapping with a friend.

...and thoroughly enjoyed his time.

This is fun!

Welcoming new citizens

Alex attended a citizenship ceremony recently to watch his good friends becoming Australian citizens.

After the official business was over.

Pleased to finally get to shake hands.

These two are way more interesting than certificates or photos!

He sang 'Advance Australia Fair' for two days afterwards.

Shopping Centre Stall Success

Alex's stall at the local Stockland shopping centre was a great success for him. He got to catch up with lots of people who know him, got to show people his art work and, a bonus, sold 11 paintings and over 70 cards.

We had a great location

It was a very busy day in town with a state wide hockey carnival being held.

Colonial Day Stall at Abercrombie House

Alex set off today for his stall at the 'colonial day' at a local historic home.

Had to get rugged up a bit for a cold one

Beautiful old bluestone home

There were some historic re-enactments and Alex enjoyed a visit to the woodturning stall.

Tim on the guitar and Alex accompanying on the clapsticks

Re-enactment group