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Denise, Adam and Artie have moved to Brisbane into serviced accommodation to be nearer to Adam's work and while they are looking for a house.
So I spent a day with Denise and Arthur last week exploring the city.
We went to see the 6th Asia-Pacific Triennial at the Gallery of Modern Art at Southbank. As usual it was very interesting and a lot of fun.
Denise standing in front of my favorite- A tree made of all sorts of containers. Spoon wall hanging.
Actually on reading the info, the "tree" is actually a mushroom cloud made of brass utensils.
Line of Control(1)2008. The artist is Subodh Gupta, India.
Denise's favorite. Reindeer made of resin and glass.
It's really an Elk. PixCell-Elk#2 2009, by Kohei Nawa, Japan.
A Queenslander depicted in Art, complete with van parked underneath . Wall of mirrors.
YNG comprised of Yoshikomo Nara, Japan, and Osaka-based design firm graf constructed the Queenslander installation for APT6.
The fantastic mirror mosaic is Lightning for Neda 2009 by Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Iran.
Guitar Art. I bet James would have fun trying to play these.
Guitars in the round. Yours truly standing in front of 400 men holding pink flowers.
Rudi Mantofani,West Sumatra, Indonesia sculpted the guitar art.
People holding flowers 2007, is a soft sculpture from Ji Wenyu and Zhu Weibing, China
Artie considering the Art. Choosing his favorite. Difficult decision.
Eastern Water Dragon at the gallery cafe wishing to share our lunch.
- Mood:
peaceful
Adam, Denise, and Arthur (examining his candle) with celebrant, Deacon Peter Olsen.
On the 27th December Arthur Leonard Sweedman was baptised at St. Mary's Church, Ipswich.
Artie was extremely well-behaved - no crying and quite enjoyed the ceremony.
Even looked as though he was going for a swim in the Baptismal Font.
Michael is very proud to be the Godfather.
Corinne is the Godmother.
Unfortunately she was not able to be here for the Baptism as she and Ben are still in England.
Artie was extremely well-behaved - no crying and quite enjoyed the ceremony.
Even looked as though he was going for a swim in the Baptismal Font.
Michael is very proud to be the Godfather.
Corinne is the Godmother.
Unfortunately she was not able to be here for the Baptism as she and Ben are still in England.
Preparation for the Baptism.
This is the candle which Denise decorated and the white robe which I made and decorated.
Waiting for the ceremony to begin. View of the church looking towards the entrance.
Anointing with oil.
Getting into position. Ready to pour - once again Arthur being most helpful.
Wearing the white symbolic robe. Godfather Mike bringing the flame. Keeping the flame alight.
View of the altar area of our beautiful church.
Proud families.
- Mood: pleased
Here are some more photos of our Christmas. Taken on Christmas Day this time.
Just me, Hans, Mike, Adam, Denise and Arthur having a nice quiet day - opening presents, eating and relaxing.
Hans and our tree. Hans showing the pyjama top that Denise printed with Artie's footprints.
Artie showing off his Christmas suit. A present for Artie !
Another present for Arthur.
Arthur in his superman outfit from Gran and Gramps. Adam and Mike " helping " Artie to fly.
My job - getting the ham prepared and cooked. Very nice. Still using it for meals. Pasta with ham and Feta tonight.
Relaxing after the event. Mike on couch, Artie in hammock.
Bob loves the tree. This is his toy. Now he's minding Corinne and Ben's pressie from Denise, Adam and Artie.
- Mood: content
Denise and I took a lot of time and had fun preparing the food for the family on the 24th December.
The table looked more like a spread for a birthday party. Well that is right. The whole occasion is to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
It is also an excellent way for us all to get together, catch up with all the news and have some fun.
Denise and Arthur admiring the table. Yours Truly showing off some of the food.
The table looks colourful and festive.
Chicken chippolata flying sausages!
The jelly oranges were a big hit.
And of course we had cheerios and little meatballs with tomato sauce and sweet chilli sauce for warmth and spice.
- Mood:
hungry
The family (just some of us) came here for Christmas celebrations on the 24th December. We had a good day with lots of food, pressies and fun.
Adam, Denise and Arthur, who seems to be saying "bring it on ! " Hans looking pleased about everything.
Yours Truly with Stephanie and Tristan.
Steph showing off her selection. Reuben just loved this crazy ball. "Thanks Mum" Tara and Reuben.
Gramps showing Arthur the finer points of unwrapping a present. Kerry and Steph admiring the presents.
A fine looking bunch. Tristan, Sean and Keegan. Brothers! Ethan and Keegan
- Mood:
giggly
Walking round the garden after our distressingly little rain yesterday I came across a bit more colour that I thought was brilliant. These epiphytes are almost fluorescent in their colouring.
Our neighbour, Frank, gave us a cutting from his plant last year and this is how it looks this year in our garden.
- Mood: jubilant
Beautiful Clivea by the pond
We are desperately in need of more rain again. The grass is brown and some of the plants are really suffering.
Just to cheer me up though I can always find some colour and something lovely in the garden. These pics were taken about 4 weeks ago before we went down to Melbourne.
Reflections and an Iris in the fish pond. Where are the fish?
Unusual brown-pink Iris at the top pond.
Orthophytum in flower.
Tillandsia showing off its red and purple.
Delicate yellow-flowered Tillandsia.
- Location:my garden
- Mood: cheerful
Last week Hans and I made a flying visit to Melbourne. For old times sake we decided to drive. We took the New England Highway from Stanthorpe to Gunnedah then across to Dubbo and on to the Newell Highway down to Melbourne.
Driving down the Newell Highway was no fun. Terrible weather conditions - rain, thunderstorms, hail and then the red dust storm which covered Sydney (and our car). Coming back was only a little better, more dust storms all through NSW and southern Qld but not as bad as at the beginning of the week. Getting too old for this caper - we will fly down next time and hire a car. Would be easier and cheaper. And we would see more of Denise, Adam and Arthur :)
Arthur holding the toy which I brought for him.
A penny for your thoughts.
Proud Mum. Arthur looking a bit disgruntled. Too many photos, I think.
Gramps and Arthur.
We only managed a couple of nights and a day with our far-away family, but we had a lot of fun (especially the Hofbrauhaus in Chinatown). We look forward to more time together at Christmas when Denise and Adam will come up for a holiday. Arthur too, of course. He will be five months old by then. Can hardly wait.
- Mood: cheerful
As I have already mentioned Hans and I went to Binna Burra in Lamington National Park to celebrate my 60th birthday.We stayed at the Lodge instead of camping this time. It was very nice and relaxing to be waited on and looked after. We managed to get in a couple of the shorter walks. We would have to train ourselves up for a longer walk. Old age creeping up :0
This is the lodge - dining room in the background. Cabins to the left.
The rooms - which are made to look like cabins
Everything is just as beautiful up in the hills as it ever was. A real treat and so peaceful.
Admiring the view at Sunset with a friend.
Sunset over the mountains and valleys. A lovely couple. Something wrong with my face ^_^ !
Up in the magical Antarctic Beech Forest area.
Hans on the track.
Me among the boulders.
Sunrise. Morning view from our balcony.
Remember those long walks - this is looking out towards the Ship's Stern walk. 23 kms. And we did it !! You were very brave kids:)
- Location:Binna Burra
- Mood: calm
As well as becoming a Grandmother for the first time, I also had another milestone to celebrate. Yes, I turned 60. I don't feel much older in my head but the body is beginning to give way. Very sad but true. So before I post more photos of Arthur and his Mum and Dad, I thought I would show a few pics of my 60th. No party but still had a great time.
Firstly at school I had a special morning tea where the Principal presented me with flowers and a cake.
Delicious pavlova which the staff scoffed in no time at all.
These are the presents from Corinne and Ben, Denise and Adam, and Michael.
Michael gave me wine. Always appreciated!
Delicious pavlova which the staff scoffed in no time at all.
These are the presents from Corinne and Ben, Denise and Adam, and Michael.
Michael gave me wine. Always appreciated!
Corinne and Ben gave me a gift card. I used it to buy a new sewing machine.
C must have had a feeling I would need a new machine soon . My Elna gave up the ghost just as the gift card arrived.
RIP the Elna which I have used and used for years. The Janome feels great and I am looking forward to getting to know it better.
Denise and Adam gave me a picture which Denise painted from a photo of me when I was 3 yrs old. I felt so happy when I opened the parcel. WasI ever that little? Hope there's a little bit of Arthur in there.
Also some lovely face creams which I hope help me to look not so old and wrinkly :)
Of course their best present was dear little Arthur.
I love all my presents. Just wonderful, from my darling children. Thank you.
And to top it all off, Laleen and John came over with beautiful flowers and a yummy cake.
Lal also gave me a couple of other gifts including a new Brom (what else) called Megan.
Yes, of course my husband gave me a present , beautiful earrings with emeralds and diamonds to match my engagement ring. Very nice!! We also spent a night away at Binna Burra, of which there will be more later.C must have had a feeling I would need a new machine soon . My Elna gave up the ghost just as the gift card arrived.
RIP the Elna which I have used and used for years. The Janome feels great and I am looking forward to getting to know it better.
Denise and Adam gave me a picture which Denise painted from a photo of me when I was 3 yrs old. I felt so happy when I opened the parcel. WasI ever that little? Hope there's a little bit of Arthur in there.
Also some lovely face creams which I hope help me to look not so old and wrinkly :)
Of course their best present was dear little Arthur.
I love all my presents. Just wonderful, from my darling children. Thank you.
And to top it all off, Laleen and John came over with beautiful flowers and a yummy cake.
Lal also gave me a couple of other gifts including a new Brom (what else) called Megan.
- Mood: happy
I have just been down to Melbourne. I arrived on the 17th July and Denise was due to have the baby on the 18th. Anthony picked me up from Avalon and drove me to Hampton, using his great new GPS navigation system to get there. Thanks Brother. Great to see you looking so good. Also met up with Cynthia, Jasmine and Layla at the hospital when they visited Denise.
It was lovely to be with Denise and Adam again and very exciting waiting for the birth of Arthur. Denise and I had some time before she went into labour to actually do a couple of things . We saw "HARRY POTTER - THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE' and wandered around Southland looking at all the lovely shops esp those with baby clothes, toys(naturally) and accessories.
On Monday morning a very excited D told me that "things " had started. Won't go into all the details here but after a long hard labour, much to her disappointment, D ended up having an emergency c-section. She was very brave and had tried right up until Thursday evening to have Arthur naturally.
So Arthur Leonard Sweedman was born at 8:53pm on the 23rd July at Jessie Mc Pherson hospital at Clayton, Melbourne. He weighed 3900gm and was 52 cm long. Very alert, had his eyes open from the beginning. (as you can see from my userpic where he is only about one and a half hours old.)
Denise working until the last minute. That lawn has to be just right for Arthur's homecoming :)
Not exercising, just trying a different position. All hooked up. Now on epidural and pretending.
Worth all the waiting and pains. ARTHUR LEONARD SWEEDMAN has arrived.
Prouud Adam with very new Arthur in the parenting room.
Denise back from Recovery Room. Arthur now about 2 hrs old.
Proud new family.
- Mood: ecstatic
Just a quick blog before I leave for Melbourne.
I picked up these two cute Cabbage Patch dolls on my travels around the op-shops. I told Hans it's just as well I am not collecting them any more as these would go straight up on the shelf. The smaller one has already gone to a new home. The bigger one has terribly messy hair. However as it looks like dredds (very modern) I am not going to try and untangle it. I think their expressions are so happy and inviting - just makes me want to smile :)
Now I can clear the camera, ready for photos of a real baby, our eagerly awaited grandchild! :)
- Location:home
- Mood:
bouncy
A trip down south wouldn't be the same without a trip to Rosebud. So Denise and I set off for Rosebud on the Friday of my short stay with her and Adam.
We arrived at Shirley's in time for morning tea and a good chat. Then we went to the Plaza for lunch and a look around. Had lunch at our favorite cafe with our favorite most welcoming proprietor. Then back to Hampton before the traffic got too bad.
Denise set up the timer for a group photo.
Took many shots before we were satisfied with these two.
Shirley - forever young :)
Trying out my close-up technique.
Bit blurry but lovely pic of our soon-to-be mummy.
Another lovely one of Denise.
And of course we can't leave out Misty, Shirley's funny crazy cat.
Spot the cat.
She has torn Shirley's curtains to shreds.
I always feel as though I am coming home once I get past Frankston and on to the Peninsula. I still love it, fantastic memories of childhood, teenage years,young adulthood and early married life there.
- Location:Rosebud
- Mood: cheerful
Denise and I did get out and about in Melbourne when I was there for my flying visit.
One of the places we visited was the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square. It is part of the Victorian Art Gallery and houses a fine collection of Australian Art mostly from the Heidelberg School.
It also has room for other exhibitions. We went specifically to see the Art Students' work. Really good. The standard was very high - some really outstanding work.
One of the places we visited was the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square. It is part of the Victorian Art Gallery and houses a fine collection of Australian Art mostly from the Heidelberg School.
It also has room for other exhibitions. We went specifically to see the Art Students' work. Really good. The standard was very high - some really outstanding work.
Denise inside Federation Square. Amazing architecture!
Looking from Fed Sq over the Yarra towards the Victorian Cultural Centre
Denise and me inside the buildings. Great views to be had from every window.
One of the airy spaces inside the gallery.
Afterwards we walked through some arcades then over the Yarra to South Gate to the Casino area for lunch and a look-see.
Denise on the walkway over the Yarra looking towards Crown Casino.
Melbourne Skyline from the walkway. A different perpective showing Flinders Street Station from the back.
The beautiful foyer lights of the Crown Hotel. No views of the Casino. Acres and acres of gamblers - quite depressing :(
After all this walking we hopped on the loop, went to Melbourne Central where Denise treated me to Max Brenner's Chocolate Shop. Scrumptious! I had a cappuccino with chocolate melting into it. Denise had a hot chocolate with marshmallows and we shared a mini chocolate fondue with strawberries.
- Mood: happy
Denise at 33 weeks.
Just been down to Melbourne on a flying visit to see Denise and Adam. I wanted to see Denise in her pregnant state - 3rd Trimester. She looks lovely. We managed to get around quite a bit while I was there. Tired each other out I think.
Yours truly and new Mum-to-be.
- Location:Hampton
- Mood: content
This is one of my favorite places at home. Thought I would share it with you.
Plenty of work to be done. Plenty of fun as well :)
- Mood:busy
As well as the Marburg Show and Labour Day Parade on Saturday and my full Sunday of the Market, a Bromeliad Meeting and evening Church we also managed to take in a long walk on the actual holiday. Well not long in kilometres but long in the time it took.
So we drove to Moogerah Dam on Monday to go for our walk. Firstly I am pleased to report that the dam is quite full again and there were many campers there for the long weekend.There were even some power boats on the dam. Last time we were there it was down to a pond in the middle.
We walked over the dam wall then Hans pointed to the sign that said 3 kilometres to the lookout and said "What about it?"
I was all for it - 3 k's is not at all long. The sign however neglected to give any information about the difficulty of the walk, as is normal in most parks.
We set off merrily without realising that it was practically straight up and most of it very rocky. We got to halfway after about one hour of walking and climbing. We thought about turning back very briefly but decided after all that effort we would go to the top! We were determined to finish the walk and in the end it was worth the effort as the views were fantastic and the personal satisfaction high. The walk took 2 hours going up and 1 hour and 15 minutes coming down. Possibly it would take less time for younger and fitter folks.
The spillway 
Hans on the way up. 
Me resting on the way up 
View from halfway up 
Towards the top - a bit of flatter ground Hans contemplating whether we should go on or not.
Looking towards Mt Walker and Rosewood.
Grass Trees at the top.
Me coming down. By this time my knees were killing me!!!
Fernery and plants in a natural rockery.
Native Daisies.
The only wildlife we saw. A Grub dragging his house with him.
Pretty but evil. Lantana.
- Mood: pleased
After the Marburg Show, we got home just in time for me to join in the Labour Day march through the streets of Ipswich.
It's the first time I have done it and I had fun. I belong to the QIEU and the organisers (Shelley and, from our school, Jennifer) needed some support so off I went. We were right behind one of the pipe bands which added to the enjoyment. We started in Ellenborough St., walked along Darling St , turned right at Waghorn St , over the railway bridge by the Metropole Hotel, down Brisbane St to Bell St, along Bell St to Roseberry Parade and then back to The Timothy Moloney Oval where the celebrations went on into the evening finishing with fireworks. I missed the evening celebrations - had to get back to my men. Maybe they will come with me next year!
It was an interesting experience and we had a lot of support and well wishes from the onlookers.
- Location:Ipswich
- Mood: bouncy
My kids tell me I am a rev-head (whatever that is).
The fact is I love all vehicles which have been restored and well looked after, or those which are just plain loved and cared for.
There were some beauties at the Marburg Show. Here they are.
Utes
Restored Holdens - very nice.
- Location:Marburg
- Mood: excited
THE AXE MAN, Steve Lehmann, and THE TOOL GUY, Hans Brunner .
What would a country show be without a blacksmith display and a working one at that.
- Location:Marburg
- Mood: happy
