Sydney Visit...Engagement Party

Had a fantastic visit to Sydney...packing in stacks of things as usual!!
Lovely to have my dear Tom (and friends) smiling before I left.

John and I stopped in at Cambridge with architect Paul...to look at the double glazed windows we are planning to order for the house on the hill.
Then off to airport...
I tried out my OPAL card in Sydney...it worked a treat..so easy.
Made my way to Ashfield and walked up to see Pa. We had a lovely chat and cuppa together. Every visit is special...and I leave treasuring the time we shared.
Back down to Ashfield and train to West Ryde. Lovely Chris met me at the station and we went to Libby's for afternoon tea...wonderful to see two of my dear sisters...and Jane is on the way to arrive tonight..
Fantastic evening of shared stories trips to Iceland/Greenland/UK and Turkey and house building updates
Thursday brings a much awaited visit from Jess and Benjamin..so so lovely to see them...and we all get cuddles..

Thanks for babysitting while Jess and I went for a coffee Libby...
Lucy arrives after work and we drive to her new home...very exciting..

Paul arrives home and Jess, Aaron and Ben come over for dinner. Lovely evening...but I fade out about 10ish and go to bed..
Friday Lucy and I take the dogs for a walk at 6.30am...absolutely lovely...so much parkland..

Then we head to Parramatta for breakie before looking at Wedding Dresses.. very productive morning..(how my heart skipped a beat to see my beautiful Lucy dressed as a bride!!) Sorry ...no previews...TOP SECRET

Home again and we get stuck into food preparation...
Libby arrives later after work...and stays to lend a hand.
I can't get over being with Lucy in her own home in her kitchen...so wonderful.

Preparations continue until we collapse in a heap...
I have a short go at playing pool...then hand over to Paul to finish the game with Lucy..good fun.
Off to bed.
I am up early and go for a walk...then we get going on more food prep and set up. Looks like the
weather will be good.

The day passes quickly and Hannah, Jark, Jess, Aaron and Ben arrive...lovely to have the girls and partners all together...

The party is soon upon us... and it is a fabulous success...of course. With Lucy and Paul's planning and work I did not expect anything less..

The happy couple...hang on a minute!! that's not Paul and Lucy..

 Good on you Jark...thanks for cutting up the cake...

Time for a last hug with my little boy...

Eventually everyone drifts off home...leaving just a few stayers.

We thoroughly enjoy watching the Rugby game..(even if the Wallabies victory is snatched at the last minute)..then to the pool room we go....

The presents are opened..

 Yes...it's Brandii dog!! Good idea Hannah and Jark..

I eventually wend my way to bed...and sleep VERY well.
Sunday I don't get up so early...but still have a lovely walk before everyone is up.
We enjoy a slow morning ...the 'kids' have a cooked breakie....

then we get the boys to drop us off to try on the wedding dresses again for Hannah's benefit..
Then we head to Alexandria to 'The Grounds' for a late lunch..lovely.

then a walk through Salts, Meat and Cheese deli ...always interesting to see what they have.
I am dropped to the airport to await my plane and the others head home via Leichhardt so Jark can be introduced to Gelato.

Very glad to see my lovely boys and get home..
How lucky am I ....

One last favourite of Ben... (and Dad)