For Granny

Happy Birthday Mum! Mum's 60th is the reason why things have been a bit quiet on my blog. Dad planned some wonderful surprises for her and it was very hard not to tell you! Bethany and I went on a road trip and this is going to be a very long post as I share all my photos, especially for Granny who would have loved to be there.


Bethany and I left on Wednesday morning and drove for five and a half hours to Sydney. We stayed with Phil, Kristin and Charlotte. Bethany and Charlotte had LOTS of fun playing together.


I thought it would be easiest and possibly fun for Bethany and I to share a bed. There were some lovely moments with cuddles but there was also kicking, pushing and falling out. I think Bethany enjoyed the experience a little more than I did. This is us in the morning.

I had planned to pop in and see Granny that morning but she wasn't free so we drove straight to Mum and Dad's. When we got onto the Milbrodale Rd I rang Mum to say happy birthday. She told me what she was up to and as I approached I asked her if my present had arrived yet. She said it hadn't so I asked her to go onto the front verandah. "I am on the front verandah having a coffee, it isn't here." I came around the corner and pulled into the driveway "What about now?" "Is that YOU?" She was surprised! We had a lovely afternoon that included some girly stuff and a big sleep after the shared non- sleep experience.

Phil, Kristin and Charlotte were the next surprise. Then, when we were all dressed Adrian and Susie came over in the bus, as expected. Mum did not expect it to have extra passengers though, and was thrilled to see Judy and Cheryl. Here she is with Judy.

Dad apologised on behalf of Tim and Shona and we piled into the bus, leaving Bethany and Charlotte watching Fifi with Sarah who babysat.
When we arrived at the restaurant Tim and Shona were in the carpark! This is Mum with her three children.


The restaurant is Mum's favourite in the Hunter, called Shaky Tables. It looks great...

Phil and I were thrilled to be out for dinner.

Tim and Shona were more attractively thrilled.
Mum opened some presents.
We had too much fun taking photos of the food.

These came before the meal and were avocado (or was it wasabi?) icecream with tomato jelly and sesame seed crumble.

Tim was most pleased to be able to order haggis! I was pleased to have a bite and be able to say I've had it without having to eat a whole plate full.

These were lamb stuffed figs and something with tuna.

Some, like Tim had the pork belly with quail scotch eggs. Lots of us had the salmon.

I am a dessert girl so I was going to share some cranachan (traditional scottish wedding dessert) with Tim but he wanted his own so we got two.

Mum had this dessert which had turkish delight in it somewhere and Persian fairy floss on the top.

Peter and Pauline were there.
Mum really enjoyed it.

Bethany and Charlotte were asleep (just) when we got home but got up very early in the morning so we decided to separate them the next night. Here they are having breakfast on Thursday morning.

Mum and I went to book club for morning tea and lunch then to Susie's for a BBQ. The girls played outside until dark.
Then watched Madagascar.

This morning Tim and Shona came up at 9 so we could have french toast and bacon together before Bethany and I drove for seven and a half hours to arrive home in time for dinner. Everyone else went out to lunch but you'll have to read about that on Tim's blog.