Galavanting Around

Well as the title suggests the last 2 months have been crazzzy for us, but so much fun! We headed up to Port Macquarie to see my sis and her husband Duncan and had a great time 4wding, watching dolphins, enjoying the fab coffee at gordon st cycles and walks along the beach. The 6 of us foodclubbers couldn't resist a Christmas in July; here's Craig, Danielle and Aaron Young, Susie and Ben Edwards. We started the night with cosmo cocktails and by the end of the night...well...i had the joy of listening to the purr of snores as i washed copius cocktail and wine glasses...sigh. here's my individual homemade christmas puddings with brandy custard and poached cherries. For a couple who used to tell me they were just friends i'm still wondering why Simon and Daisy decided to throw themselves a wedding - it's always good for presents i suppose. haa...was a beautiful day at St Hills followed by a beautiful reception at Waterfront under the bridge. Here's Craig and I with Phil and Fiona. We headed straight to Manly to Matt and Roby's engagement party; a very funky party at a very funky venue...so funky i've forgotten the name...but i ran into Tory (from school!hi tory!)

Phil and Fiona headed to Fiji for a well deserved holiday so this is us in our last minute dress-up for fijian connect group. The winter chill brought on the desire to head to the Hunter for a day trip, so a bunch of us (unofficially, our connect group) hired a mini bus for the day and had an absolute blast touring the green hills of the valley, trying champagne, chocolates, cheeses, olives, oil, wines and anything else the place had to offer. Here's Craig and I, and Ian and Craig tasting at Peppertree, and Jill and I - darn we look good haa. Jamie organised a private tasting at rosemount which was fantastic-they opened some really nice bottles...much to our delight!

here is a before and after shot of the group...haaa.

The cold front hit and it was off to the snow-finally! Our new brother-in-law's brother(ya with me?) Glenn made a special trip down from the sunny gold coast to join us for our adventure to Perisher, where we met up with Dunc and my sis Tanya. (we all know it's about how you look right?). craig hadn't skiied in...let's just say a really really long time, but after a few good stacks he quickly got the hang of it. i think he was getting in the spirit of things at breakfast time. His wisdom teeth were giving him grief but he pressed on. It was around 11.30 on the first day (just after our buck fifty hot choccie at mid station), when Glenn thought it would be really funny to dislocate his shoulder (show off ey?)

YYOOUUCCHH. He made some pretty strange noises suckin on that dopey stick they give you, and the poor guy ended up in the pub for the afternoon with his arm in a sling. The snow patrol reckoned it was his very early 90's fluoro bib and brace (see left) that caused the accident hee. poor fella. there are some things that just need to be put to death and i think those pants will be facing their's before next season. I finally nailed my turns on the snowboard and was cruisin down happy and pretty valley absolutely lovin it (yeh i know they're aren't black runs but i'll get there ok!) Dunc and Tanya thought it would be fun to venture over to...oh i can't remember the name of the run (ayres?) but i can tell you there were lots of chair lifts and t-bars and dorothy was a long way from home toto...i was thinkin, will i ever get back? i have to hand it to the adventure boarders who go heliski...it ain't my thang at this stage. We had the pleasure of a visit from Craig's cousin Rosemary and her aussie husband Martin from England in late August. Here's a pic of the family...a silly one of course! (Martin, Karen, Craig, Mavis, Rosemary, Bianca, David, Deb and Brandon). Soon after this Craig had his four wisdom teeth out, but has remained as wise as ever...and enjoyed his first steak in 3 weeks yesterday. My girlfriend Stacy had her bub no. 2 and i scooted up to Nelsons to surprise her on Sunday and have a good catch up. Well, there's more to come but I'll write it in the next episode of the adventures of craig and amy. love ya