Celebtation and Chinese

Friday October 14 written on the morning of the 15th

Battle of Hastings, Pam's 74th and Cliff Richard's 71st birthday.

The day began with the enire family and the dog crammed into our bedroom. Only Josh and the dog actually on the bed. Pam loved her presents, she's very good at showing pleasure. Sara had got her some beautiful netsukes from Japan. Part of mine was a night - next Tuesday - at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat. Bit of a cheat really, as it's a present for me too !

After the family had left for work/school/gym, (Mike had a trial offer in the new place at Bellbowrie shopping centre) we went to Samsonvale, Pam's choice for the day. Not too far and we love the place. What a scenic dead end.........

The entrance road



Woods, Lake Samsonvale and Ashes Wall ( container slots on the other side)



We sat in the shade for almost two hours, enjoying the view, passing birds and happenings.A Ute turned up, drove away to the far end of the area and the two occupants proceeded to lift out and unwrap - very gingerly - a heavily taped cardboard box. They were obviously releasing a snake into the bush.

We did take one short walk, only for Pam to have to rush back.   A Brush Turkey was rifling through our snack bag and had already tossed out a packet of crisps. No harm done.

I managed to photograph a diminutive Striated Pardalote (black-headed Eastern form) waiting to take a green caterpillar to the nest.

The Noisy Friarbird has completed its nest and is sitting.......

Its tail shows.....

The very common Whistling Kite called plaintively as it circled, never allowing me a shot of its distinctive wing markings against the light.

Sara had recommended a cafe called the Flying Nun, somewhere in Samford. We eventually found it. It was packed, with a longish queue waiting to be served. I said 'Crikey', Pam said 'Let's go' - and a couple of people laughed as we turned heel.

We eventually had a very pleasant sandwich and iced coffee in the Berry cafe, sitting outside under an umbrella.

After calling in at Cole for an Echidna chocolate birthday cake and Liquorland for some fizz, we returned to await the arrival of the boys and Sara.

To Pam's delighted surprise, Bridget and Aileen phoned to wish her Happy Birthday. Very good of them to bother. Josh answered the phone and, assuming that they were about to sing, put it on Speaker. They don't do singing........

Soon after 6, we left for a Chinese restaurant, Sun Fay , in Indooroopilly where Sara had booked a table for us. Again, Pam's choice, she loves chinese food. It was a Friday and the place was packed, all but us and one other party being Chinese, a good omen.

The service was slow but the food was superb, the best we'd ever eaten. We hadn't made allowance for the enormous portions, six plastic boxes were produced for bringing the leftovers home, to-night's meal. Two bottles of wine certainly helped the wait for food. A delicious Pinot Grigio.

Home for a very nice slice of cake and a bottle of fizz. Unfortunately, my little camera took some good photos which disappeared when I transferred them to my laptop! Could it have anything to do with the wine consumed?

An Email from Anne Newman (Pam's cousin in Melbourne) this morning, corrected my tree ID from the 13th, thank goodness. Everything is Gum to us if we don't know. We must study our new tree book. I also added a photo to the Oct 13 Blog.