PRE CHRISTMAS NEWS

Our Xmas tree in it's 'Odd 'year decor,both this and the house are really much brighter.

House lights

Time for pressies

Some of the Branch/Donnes men,Rick,Gary,Scott,Trev and Matt

Well the Xmas Season has started with a vengeance , but in a nice way , ofcourse.My lights are up, I did take a pic which I'll put on but I'll try for a better one tonight. The Xmas tree is up and lit and the parties have started. We have had 2 last week, one here, one with the Donnes family at Rick & Karen's. The latter was really great,we love to get together with the Donnes family. The other was a Scottish one and we had a lovely meal , including haggis , which was piped in and addressed correctly.

I have bought and wrapped all the pressies , just some poems to write . Those at the faily party have had their cards but all the others are still waiting to be written. The overseas cards are long gone.

This week I also went to Riley's class for a day and cooked "Kerstkransjes" with all the kids, piles of them. I gave them a Sinterklaas to colour in as well since it was Sinterklaasdag. I should have brought the camera but forgot again, ofcourse.

Next week, Lunch with the 'CATS' on Tuesday, work at our cafe on Wednesday and a Mah Jong Xmas Party in the evening. Xmas Dinner with the Social Club on the Saturday. Zoe's Dance concert on this Saturday but that is neatly in the afternoon so makes it easier. Have to miss Sarah's, as that is on our Xmas tea night next week, a shame, hope it does not clash next year.

Went to my lady doctor to get lady check ups and Vicki too. Everything Ok except for the arthritis ofcourse and she was very impressed that I had lost 9 kilos and Vicki 8. Vicki will probably have to have another cancer spot removed from the same place as last year,below her eye,on her face. She sees the specialist on Feb. 1st and if it is, he'll remove it straight away. Poor old Caitlyn suffering a lot with her allergies and yesterday was quite covered in excema.

Everyone else fine ,as far as I know, just busy trying to keep up with the functions. Kids had the Police picnic last Sunday , before the Branch/ Donnes do and enjoyed that ofcourse.Rick & Karen took them all.

Well, hope to get here before Xmas to update. I've been here for 2 1/2 hrs already,reading and answering emails and checking up the bank business(does not look so good at the moment) so must now post the photos.

TUPPERWARE

Well it is on for Tupperware. I used some of Rick & Karen's stuff and was impressed. Asked Vicki if she knew of any parties. Well, as a matter of fact, her friend Rene was just starting as a demonstrator. Go to the party, buy, book a party ,buy,invite lots to get a few, get lots. Party booked for the club, buy more. Book a catalogue party to help the club (and so did Vicki). Hope that is the end of it for now for, though I really want some more, it is too hard to find the dollars to pay for it all. It is good stuff though.

Am getting into the Xmas scene. All the lights I can reach are up , my tree is decorated, pressies are wrapped and I have nearly finished makeing a pressie for all the nieces.Trev has to put the rest of the lights up and I have to buy or make some more cards. The functions are multiplying and one has already been transferred to January because my mates and I could not get a suitable date. Oh well, something to do later.

Getting hot but they are looking for rain later this week, hope so.

Liberal Government lost the election. Well, at least I won't feel guilty when the labour Govt and its Union mates wreck the economy again.

Do hope to add to this before Xmas but might as well get into the mood.

Second Chapter Hanoi & Kl

View from our room at the Dorsett Regent in KL. Did not take any other pictures "cause we'd been there a few times before. Building on the right is the Ritz-Carlton.

The Peaceful H P Lake. No real name because....I've forgotten.

View from our room ,across old district,the Red River almost on the horison.

Old district houses

One of many small hotels in old district

Small street,old district

Old District, traditional decorations street.

The Dec.19 market

Some newer houses

Flower arrangement with fruit on little table,including dragon fruit which looks so beautiful,tastes OK>

Houses are narrow but several stories as land is expensive. Note wiring, this is actually pretty good.

Is this OK now Net??? No, I have not got the literary skills of my son,unfortunately and was not prepared to pay $8 or $9 a day for internet . As well, I don't have a laptop to plug in, so would have to go to public cafes. I do my best ,though.

The Vietnam/KL Holiday

Cooking the Goose(duck)

Selling coal

Market in the old quarter

The temple of learning

View downwards from our room. Looking on the tin roofing of the Dec.19 market

Lady selling live eel.

They all sit and eat and smoke in front of the shops ,on stools on the footpath.

Temple at West Lake

This is the butcher lady West Lake

Our room

We're back and had a lovely holiday.

We liked Hanoi but I guess were mostly disappointed in the shopping because that was not really up to standard ,although it was cheap. The Melia Hotel was absolutely wonderful and that certainly WAS up to standard. There were not many places around it where one would feel safe to eat so we did use the hotel buffet several times. We mostly ate in the old quarter or wherever we were at lunch time and we did find a nice eatery called the Mondo Gelato ,not far from our Hotel,where we ate several times. The old quarter was culturally quite fascinating and mostly like Singapore and Malaysia were some 40 years ago, take away the millions of motorbikes and mobile phones. It really is difficult crossing the road but we managed. We felt that we probably should have travelled outside Hanoi a bit or even done the Saigon to Hanoi route. But then one learns as one goes and for people who have not experienced South East Asia in the old days it would be very fascinating. In the pictures , to be attached, you will see the different standards of housing and shops ,people and transport. The ladies with their costumes and it was wonderful to see the evening dresses,Vietnamese style . We wewre probably lucky because there were many functions in our hotel and at least 50 % of women still wore their beautiful dresses. They still transport things on their shoulders and sell meat, in the street, on the footpath , from a large basket tray. Fish and fresh eels were sold alive from water bowls.The electricity supply is really something. At one stage we could have hooked the Telephone wire with our hands and the electricity makes such patterns, one stands there in awe. When there are too many wires they just add a hook and hook it up a bit on the poles or on a sidewall of a shop/house.

They love flowers and we had beautiful arrangements in the hotel, even in our room.

The worst thing they have is the fact that they sell and eat dogs and the market next to our hotel, called the December 19 market had smoked dog for sale, that was completely sickening and one immediately thinks of one's own dog.

We bought a few things but did the bulk of our buying in Kuala Lumpur because we know where to go and each time one goes there , a new shopping centre has been created anyway.Food, watches etc still cheap in KL but copy CD's & DVD's are now not openly on sale except a little bit in Chinatown.It is still reasonable to get around in taxis, from Malaysian Ringitt 10 to 20 within and around KL. $A1.00 is R 3.00.

The last pictures, if I get them all on, are of one of the central lakes, a very peaceful place with the traffic flowing all around it, the first few are at West Lake, which is very large and also in the city. We did a tour of the city, compliments Karen & Rick on our 2nd day and that was very nice and included the Temple of learning where the grave like tablets have inscribed on them, the names of the important graduates.

WE"RE OFF

This is the latest of the Barkla family, taken last week.Nice eh?
Tried to upload some Vietnam clipart but once again the blogger failed me. You'll all just have to wait for the real pictures.

WELL, AT LEAST WE ARE ON SUNDAY EVENING, AS WE LEAVE HERE AT 2.05 MONDAY MORNING. Scott is going to take us to the airport, save booking a taxi and hoping they come in time. They are quite expensive as well, so thank you Scott.


For once we are packed. Usually we pack on the day but because we had put away most of our stuff for a while, we needed to check in case we had to buy anything before Sunday.


Really looking forward to this too, it is always great to see something you have not seen before. Karen & Rick bought Trev a tour of Hanoi for his Birthday and we do that on the first day so a good orientation. We return on the 7th of November.


Booked a Tupperware party at Vicki's last week, it is on the 13th,at 7 pm. Have not done anything like that for years. Any of you want to attend, leave a message, you're welcome.I did it to help out Vicki and her friend Renee. Asked my neighbours so hope at least a few turn up.There is some really great stuff now though it is expensive. It does last . I must admit.


OK Vietnam, here we come.

The kids

Front of calendar

Caitlyn Sarah

February I think
back of calendar

Riley & Caitlyn


Zoe

Bella

Zoe is nearly 10,on Nov 21st,Bella is 8,Riley 7 ,Sarah 5 and Caitlyn 2. here they all are, dressed as Island kids for Geoff & Johari's Birthdays. An extra of Riley & Caitlyn, she was telling Riley that she loved him . Also a few pics pinched from our Arcadia Waters Calendar,Caitlyn & me at the cafe, outside with Ina & others and the back of the calendar has the mosaic, which I organised, on it.

Some Good Times

Time with the family is always a good time for me and we have certainly had our share in the past few weeks. It is one thing the old boy does not gripe about so doubly enjoyable. We started with an absolutely wonderful dinner at the Roxby (or Roxby's ? ) at Willeton. It is a Thai Restaurant but also serves european dishes so there is something to please everyone. Trev, Travis and the kids had things like steak and Parmegana while Karen, Jo, Scott, Vicki and myself shared Thai food. The 5 dishes each had their distinctive taste and it was an epicurian delight. Slightly more expensive than our normal treats but not TOO expensive. That was Friday the 5th, to celebrate Scott's 40th B'day. On the 6th we went all the way into the Swan Valley for a sausage sizzle and 7o's party to celebrate Ryan's 30th.Kelly and he have a nice Granny flat next to Ryan's parents house. Everyone dressed appropriately and it was amazing what they came up with. My favourites were Rick and family. He was the Bagwan (from the orange people)and she had striped velvet pants and shirt with scarves in the girl's hair they made a good 70's family. There were some good wigs and suits and Ryan looked good.On the Sunday Viv & Mick visited , still for Trev's birthday and their company is always nice too.Had just made some mulberry pies and slices as I found just the biggest Mulberry tree on one of my walking treks. It brough back some memories as Nanny & Pop Branch had a mulberry tree from which fruit I always made mulberry pies. I still see the boys as youngsters, absolutely covered in mulberry juice because they also used the fruit to bombard each other. Johnny Howard finally announced the election for November 24th. We went to Kristy's for the Xmas draw and on Saturday we had a nice Island Party at Nanny & Geoff's to celebrate Geoff's and Johari's Birthdays. Food was lovely thanks Nanny. The following day we had the Birthday bash at the village, Rick & family and Nanny & Geoff came for that. The coffee machine blew up which caused a big backlog but the girls managed very well. I worked on the craft stall because I worked in the cafe on Saturday. The stall went well but we had far too much stuff. Had 2 of the kids at their place yesterday and I took them for a long walk and then they had a swim as Zoe's friend came back with her after Zoe played there. Today bought some jeans for Trev for our trip at the Belmont shopping Centre and went to pick up my lotto syndicate winning. Wish I'd been there when they sold the first prize that day but I got a whole $1.70!!!!! Now we have just less than 2 weeks before our trip, it can't come soon enough. They've just released the Arcadia calender, gosh it is just great and I'm even in it and so is Caitlyn. Really would like to buy some more, if the boy lets me.Have taken some photos of the grandies to show they are growing up, will publish later. That's it , better get on home.

THE NEXT INSTALMENT

As promised,the other CATS photo and thought I'd throw one in from 'OI', Rick & Karen's puppy who is nearly too big for the chair. Photo by courtesy of Karen's Blog.

SO SORRY CATS

Nanny just emailed me asking where the photos were that I had taken at the CATS "s visit. Stupid woman, I forgot ofcourse. It is something called short term memory and a lot of other 68 year olds (and I believe even younger ones and certainly older ones) seem to suffer with the same problem. Here they are, only 2 were really good.
ust say once more ,we really enjoyed your visit.

For those who know Kathy , who was unable to attend, she is not well at all and not really improving. I'll try to keep you updated.

So sorry again, won't let me upload the other one and I'll try again tomorrow.

The Photos ,I hope

view from the verandah

View from our Sebel Hotel apartment The lounge/kitchen

Rick , Karen and girls arriving from Bali

Mother duck with her 5 babies. She was back on the weekend and the babies are nearly as big as Mum

Visit from the CATS

Trev and I had our 2 nights at the Sebel in Perth and boy, was it nice. All the staff knew about the circumstances that sent us there and they could not do enough for us. We had an absolutely beautiful apartment overlooking the little harbour. lots of restaurants nearby and it was just great. We visited the Egyptian exhibition from the Louvre, went to the casino and to the outlet shops at Harbourtown. It was most enjoyable. Today we had a group of some 27 ladies from our old Aqua Group visit for morning tea and some stayed for lunch. It was just great to see all the old friends again. It was a great pity that Kathy Fulton , who also lives in the village, could not be there alongside Ina and myself because she is in hospital with her leukemia problem, has a lot of infections. Most of these ladies said they would do it again with Kathy when she is better, perhaps early next year. Tonight we're off to tea with just the family for Scoitt's birthday and tomorrow we celebrate Ryan's 30th at his and Kelly's place. should be enjoyable also. More to come, Nanny & Geoff's 70th and Johari's 21st, next week as well as the village birthday bash. Ok Trouble with downloading photos. I'll try again another day.