Sunday Diary

BRY ANTICS

September 6th

Not such a lively week this week. I developed rather a nasty ear-ache over the weekend and I cancelled a couple of appointments because the pain-killers made me feel drowsy. Anyway, that's all behind me now. It didn't develop into a brain tumour! (I'm verging on hypochondria!)

In world affairs I was saddened by the earthquake in Indonesia, and, locally, we had a really smutty little political drama, resulting in the resignation of a State Minister. He'd been having an affair with a much younger woman, in his Parliamentary rooms, and when he dumped the girl she spilled the beans. I don't care about his morals, but I would certainly like politicians to politik!!! How do they find time for cavorting? On a happier note, the navy ship named after our city, 'Newcastle' spent some time in port and caused a little flurry of excitement.

The dogs don't look as interested as the girls!

I lay low on SUNDAY but Malcolm went to Sydney to a British Car rally at Kings School. He had a good time.

Boys' day out.

I felt well enough on MONDAY to get quite excited about our front garden. It's the size of a postage stamp and we never 'use' it, but it's been a thorn in my flesh for years. The previous owners had two enormous palm trees out there and the soil is still full of the roots. Consequently only weeds have grown properly. Brian, our big, strong and very willing son-in-law, came to transform it for us. We've chosen pebbles, not very thrilling in themselves, but we plan some tubs of colourful annuals to brighten things up. The frangipani looks stark now, but it will soon look more picturesque.

Before

After

TUESDAY was another glorious day (the lack of rain is worrying everyone). It was a beautiful day to go to Figtree Point, where I was giving one of my poetry readings. Malcolm and friend Pam came with me and we had lunch together in Toronto (Oz!) afterwards. The Retirement Centre is very upmarket , with glorious views and every comfort, but I still prefer my own home!

Very smart!

There is even a delightful spot to enjoy the lake!

I didn't go to my Speakers' Club on WEDNESDAY because I was croaky (too much spouting the day before!) and the only bit of excitement was Max's haircut! When Greg came for coffee Max was sobbing and moaning 'No Barber, Daddy!' as though he was going to his death. So after the 'operation' was over they called-back to show me the result!

Success!

(There are more shots of Max than the other two boys because Blake and Harry are at school.)

I spent THURSDAY morning in the garden, and I went up to Sharpe's Nursery to buy a bit of colour for Spring. I was pleased to be able to get impatiens as they grow like weeds and are always bright even in our shady back-yard. Last year they had a disease.

A busy time of the year.

I felt quite emotional all day. I was an Evacuee in 1940 in England and a service was held today in Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, commemorating the event 70 years ago. I would have loved to have been there!

Age has wearied them! (And me!)

The afternoon wasn't as blissful as most BeccaMax Thursdays are. (Doesn't it sound like an indigestion-cure!) We went down to the beach for Max to play in the little creek which empties into the ocean. He's still scared of any ferocity in water. He played quite happily and Brian had brought along beach chairs (he must have remembered how geriatric I was the last time!) But the sky clouded over and it grew quite chilly after a while so we went home.

He wont be very pleased with this in years to come!

On FRIDAY I pottered (one of my favourite hobbies!) while Malcolm was at bowls. I did the final check on my jokes-in-verse book which I want to get printed in time for it to be a stocking-filler at Xmas-time.

SATURDAY was a joyous day, not for me, particularly, but Merewether was abuzz and there was the happiest Spring atmosphere I ever remember. Newcastle is, as they say, 'Big enough: Small enough' and today had the feel of a village carnival. Malcolm went off to another car-rally and I went up to the Church fete early to get plants. It hadn't quite opened but there was an air of excitement.

The plant seller.

Then I walked into town past the Sports Oval, which was jam-packed for some important (?) match and on into the monthly markets which are held in the school grounds. I was greeted by a drumming competition, which was very lively. And, of course, I took several photos.

Such as this one of the Drummers.

Meanwhile Malcolm had had a great day out up in the Valley looking at old Tiger Moths! Here are some.

Till next week.

Brenda Bryant.

Sunday Diary

BRY ANTICS

July 5th

On the world scene I suppose the partial US withdrawal from Iraq was the big news. I must say I feel very uneasy about the future of that country. With so many warring tribes it's possible only a dictator can rule and so the country will soon be left wide open for another Sadam! I hope not, but it seems likely. Our local news has been dominated by the Battle of the Beach! That sounds quite fearsome, but it only means that there's a big disagreement over the future of Merewether, our local beach. It's a bit run-down at the moment, that's true, but that's part of it's charm, and developers want glass buildings several storeys high to replace the faded Art Deco places. The population is split down the middle as you can guess. Below is one of the ideas 50% of the people are rejecting. Watch this space!

We celebrated Greg's fortieth birthday on Sunday. When I say 'celebrated' that word doesn't completely cover my attitude. Of course, I was delighted to cook a lunch for the whole family and to have them all under my roof, but I'm a very nervous entertainer, even when the guests are my relations! I'm not a confident cook. I lie awake plotting and planning the perfect meal, even making-out a time-table teacher-wise, but, almost immediately something goes wrong and I get edgy. I'd bought Greg's little boys fizzy drinks not realising they'd never been allowed to have them before, and the shock of the bubbles caused Max, who's two, to spit the whole lot out all over the table!! However, everything went off fairly well; we had prawns, followed by Chicken a la King, and birthday cake (bought). My lovely daughter, Rebecca, came up to me in the kitchen and said 'This isn't really your scene, is it Mum!' How right she was! (I picture myself as a lovely fat Italian Momma, carrying out a big vat of delicious spaghetti to her admiring brood, seated under the trees! But my efforts never resemble that at all!) Anyway, here we all are at the end of the day (Malcolm took the photo.)

The children don't look too keen!

On Monday I went to 'The Beaches' for lunch. This hotel is one of the places under discussion regarding the beach improvements. The owner wants to pull it down and build a convention centre! I shared a meal with my friend, Loretta, because the helpings there are so large. It was a pleasant gathering. Afterwards we had Choir Practice and we were given our new folders to organise for the next concert.

The diners

With Loretta

On Tuesday we rehearsed 'Unhand Me!' ready for next week's performance. Malcolm had to have his afternoon nap with his ear-phones on! Everyone dies in the play and I like them to expire with agonising screams! On Wednesday there was another rehearsal, but this was a more low-key one, as I just went up to the church to practise with the equipment for when I give my photo presentation later in the month.

On Thursday the choir performed at a local drop-in centre. We held our folders, of course, and I think we sang more confidently because of that, but we'll have to condense the pages so that there's less turning. Pam, our conductor, got very friendly with a dear old boy who got quite carried away by our performance!

Appreciation!

Our pianist, Lois, is on the right.

We had a 'Jewelled Jeopardy' rehearsal on Friday afternoon, but there were a lot of absences. I'm a little concerned that circumstances have caused delays with this little production. I don't even know whether we'll be ready for our end of year 'Friends and Family' evening. So I'm writing a few more stop-gap things just in case.

Saturday morning was a bit of a mess. I'd planned to go on the Walk with the Walking Group, but Rebecca was going to have to take Blake all the way to Branxton, in the Valley, for a soccer match so M. and I said we'd go with her, Brian being on duty. Then Brian turned up, but too late for the walk! Instead I went to the Markets, which I love. The weather was sunny but chilly, so the stall-holders were rugged-up, as well as the drum band.

Till next week.

Brenda