Relaxing at Park Slope
Success in Singapore
David/Jungle Ventures prize winners
Another Addition to the Gowdey Family – Meet Mango
Girls and Politics
win prize.
Sarah’s School Camp – September 2017
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September
Paris and Back to School
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Paris Out and About
Ritz Paris
Initialled pillowcases do you mind!
Champagne for the Day
In the ‘cave’ at Ruinart – shawls given because it was so cold. Erich picking grapes.
Back to School in Singapore
Now two of the neighbours have joined UWC as well – Charlie and Camilla.
Back to School in Brooklyn
Oscar and Charlotte start in French Immersion in a new Middle School.
James Goes to Camp
James is very excited (below) as he gets ready to go off to camp.
Soccer Starts
Out and About New York
My Wonderful Birthday
Turning 70
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It all started before our trip really.
A special dinner with Rebecca and Peter at Dinner with Heston at Crown.
Then a gift from the Gowdey Family whilst they were in Melbourne.
Then it was off to Singapore for the actual day. In Singapore we were spoiled rotten with one celebration lunch, then a very special dinner at the best French restaurant in Singapore.
Then after five great Singapore days it was off to Paris.
It was all magic. A gift from the Ritz. Liz Bruce, Charlotte, Sophie and Baxter coming to Paris.
London on the way to Paris.
Lunches and Dinners at 3 Hat restaurants. So much happiness I almost burst. I felt much very loved. Magnifique!
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It was fun to be able to show our luxury accommodation to our NY family. I think Charlotte enjoyed the second time at the Ritz.
August 2017
Rokt Party
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July 2017 Roundup
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The month of July just whizzed by. Mainly because we had a fast trip to New York.
Kate David and the kids went for an extended time in the U
Busy Calendar
with end of school year, Cannes and N.Y. reunion
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Travel for the Rest of the Year
The other night I finalised the extra flights and ferry bookings I need for planned activities for the rest of the year. So in July it is a quick trip to Brooklyn for eight days. It will be Erich’s first trip to the USA. Then late August early September it is Singapore, Paris and New York again. End of September we are off to Byron Bay for an extended weekend. Early November I am off to Brisbane for a conference then December it is an overnight crossing on the Spirit of Tasmania to join everyone for Christmas.
Gowdey Busy End of School Year
James’ birthday party was held early because the real birthday was too close to the end of the school year. Sarah took part in a fundraising and did remarkably well. Lots of determination to finish shone through. Isabelle, James and Sarah have been told their teachers for next year and which friends they will be with and they all seem happy.
N.Y. End of school year
Charlotte graduates from her current school as she is off to Middle School in September and she will be doing French Immersion which is very exciting. Baxter has been doing some impressive work at Kinder. Sophie is doing well.
Gowdeys were in N.Y. when Charlotte’s graduation was on.
James had his 8th birthday in Brooklyn with 7 cousins (see video in righthand column).
Kate and David went to see Hamilton on Broadway.
Meanwhile Liz was working hard in Cannes in South of France mixing with the rich and famous.
Medical Updates
Erich went back into hospital for them to take a deeper section away fro behind his ear. His eye is slowly improving. Hopefully he will be fit for US trip which is less than 3 weeks away.
My markers went down at last week’s visit to oncologist which was a bit of a relief but I have to stay on treatment indefinitely. This medication can have fairly severe side effects but so far going OK.The neurology in my feet has lessened considerably and I am not in the pain when I walk that I was a few months ago.
Winter Came Early for Us
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New York Gang
Liz has been posting cute photos of Miss Izzie on Facebook plus lots of shots of weekend excursions. Lucky them having summer whilst we freeze (and in May). I have made a short video (RHS) to include some of the photos. I kept the photo on left separate as I wonder if it reminds Charlotte of some other boats in another place. Those boats had country flags on them and Charlotte almost had an international incident.
Kate Hits Town for a Quick Visit
We had Kate visit for a surprise but appreciated four day weekend. She did a lot of card playing with her grandmother.
Blue Mountains Ultra Trail
Poor David had the worst of the weather – it rained all day but he battled on and finished his 22km well.
The weather was kinder to Kate for her 50km and Sarah’s 1km. The temperature was cold, very cold and the house reminded me of my childhood days. One heater in the living room and electric blankets on the beds.
We had a great week with Kate, David and the kids. The thought of the whole thing is enough to exhaust me. I was shocked to see people finishing 26 hours after starting! I hadn’t been to the Blue Mountains for about 50 years so there were lots of changes – especially to the scenic railway!
We had a couple of days in Sydney before we took to the mountains. Down to Bondi for breakfast and a drink at the Opera House.
Medical Updates
Erich had a supposedly day patient treatment to remove a skin cancer on bottom eye lid. They ended up keeping him overnight. Looks terrible but all should be OK when the bruising/swelling is gone.
Ongoing Ovarian Cancer Treatment
I am going every two weeks at the moment as we test the new drugs I am taking orally. My markers went down a little over the first two weeks of treatment (85 to 75. We want under 40). Hopefully that will continue. Soon I will only have to have blood checked and see doctor every four weeks. Not sure about NY trip as I should be going in the middle of that period so tomorrow I’ll ask.
New Family Member, What’s New in Melbourne and Off to New York
Two new bathrooms on their way
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So we have a new member of the Joyce/Buchanan household. I think everyone fell in love with Miss Izzy when she was on Facebook. I wonder who is feeding her and taking her for walks?
Quick New York Trip
As we have had a little cash flow increase because of the settlement of the apartment #50 we has ignored the budget and bought two tickets for a week in New York. I am not looking forward to the actual trip but some summertime certainly has some appeal. So we look forward to meeting Miss Izzy in real life.
New Bathroom
It started much earlier than we expected, mainly because there has been so much rain and our tradesman can’t do the outdoor work on his list so yesterday it started. Will take about 4 weeks to do both bathrooms – yuk! But luckily we will be away for 8 days in Sydney and Blue Mountains next week. I hated all the choices that had to be made. I think there really is decision fatigue.
The family bathroom is first and it looks so much smaller like this! Vanity is on the trolley ready to go and then the bath. We are replacing the bath with walk-in shower.
Peter Contagious This Week
Peter has been hanging around with a one year old Grace (Rebecca’s niece) and he caught hand, foot and mouth from her. So he is a bit miserable with blisters etc Rebecca is currently working at Royal Children’s Hospital in temp capacity.
New Treatment and Naked Nymphs
I had a PET scan last week which entails sitting around in sombre atmosphere as one waits for the radioactive fluid to circulate the body (90 minutes). In the midst of it I got a frantic call from one of the Owners Corp Committee for our building (I am the chairperson).
She was most distressed as apparently there was an unauthorised photo shoot happening in our courtyard in front of the fountain and there was a group of naked women – yes on a 9 degree day! Obviously I couldn’t do anything about it at the time so she asked an older neighbour to speak with them. He is the quiet salt of the earth farmer type and he was very firm despite their protests and eventually they packed up. Neither of them thought to take photos which was disappointing!
One of the naked ones is apparently a tenant in one of the units and they thought it would be fine. They painted their faces white so we think it might have been one of the dare type things that go around. They had a little round table with candles wine glasses etc – very Victorian era.
And in the middle of all this the new owners of #50 were beginning the move in with their grand piano which did manage to fit in and go up the two flights of stairs. So all in all a bit of a farce.
Anyway I had a great laugh about it. You see we don’t have a rule that says you may not cavort naked in the courtyard!
After the scan my oncologist has changed my medication to a type of oral chemo. Because I don’t have B1 or B2 I am eligible for these very expensive (Gov pays) capsules. I take 8 twice a day. They cost $9,600 for two months’ supply. They can cause nausea but so far I have managed to just avert it by having enough food with them.