Staying the course(s)

Maureen and Fadge have just had their 50th wedding anniversary so Jamie, Tricia, Ross and I took them to "Aux Batifolles" to celebrate. Magnificent French food and wine. Bring on the next celebration!

Fadge and Tricia

Ross and Maureen

James and Julie

The Happy Couple

Middle sister, Tricia and Ross



Jim's entrée of figs, goats' cheese and prosciutto

Maureen's coquilles St Jacques



Fadge's moules mariniere
 

Big sister, Maureen

Six replete people

 

Happy Anniverary!

 

Grampians Jazz Festival

In our mid sixties we make it to our first ever music festival. No Big Day Out or Sunbury with Billy Thorpe for us. We've held out for Hall's Gap 2014.

Jim's in 3 bands and I'm a WAG.

Naturally on the way there we stop at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute to check out the latest on Australian horse-drawn vehicles.

Ballarat Heritage Collection

Ballarat Heritage Collection

We arrive at our motel in Hall's Gap to find our bed festooned with glamorous but very uncomfortable sequined pillows

On the plus side we have cockatoos, kangaroos and amazing scenery laid on

View at breakfast

 

View at breakfast



A kangaroo named Lemon Tree

 

And a cute Italian chef and his excellent food

Unflappable chef

No Fawlty Towers histrionics from this signor

Saturday night dinner. Power off for 7 hours

Cooked under candlelight when the power's off

Jim playing with the "Silver Bells"

 The Country Club - an indoor venue at last!

Playing with the Clare Castle Jazz Band

At Stony Creek

"Front garden" of our motel

Laissez les bon temps roulez!

Foot playing with Downtown Dixielanders on the big band 'stage'

Back garden of our motel

Stony Creek

Stony Creek

Stony Creek



Playing with the Silver Bells at the Golf Club

 

'Relaxing' in 42 degree heat

  

No power for another 6 hours