Milkshakes & Rouse Hill

Our new favorite spot for coffee & breakfast is "The Coffee Club" in Rouse Hill. Good food, great coffee and excellent service. Can't ask for more.

Me with my two bestest, most beautiful kids....I appologize for the picture quality; these were taken as JPG's, not RAW's

Karin and Karla getting "something" special for themselves. Girls love jewelery stores, and we don't do this often, so it was nice to spoil them. Karla also got some "low" high-heel shoes. She looks so grown up!

Karin whipping up some cherry milkshakes. Man, they are nice. Is there anything Karin can't do well when it comes to cooking etc??

While waiting for the time to pass up in Newcastle (Xmas function there last Friday night) I snapped this photo. The angler caught two good-size fish while I was watching. This type of coastline is very similar to Port Elizabeth/East London in South Africa. I can just see my dad standing in the wind and braving the surf, waiting for "the next big one" to bite.

~ END

Congratulations Andy & Marsha!

* CLICK ON THE IMAGE *

QVB & Sydney Harbour

After more than a year we finally ventured back into Sydney City-centre. Werner reckoned we should go the the Lindt chocolate shop on Martin Place, and who are we to say no to that? I have never been keen on driving in the city, but he goes there often for work, so knew his way around. Thanks chommo!

First we went for a stroll in the park, from which one gets a nice, clear view of Sydney's frankly stunning harbour. You only need to spend 2 minutes here to know why people all over the world rave about it.

Karin, Bianca and the boys stayed in the car (bub's were sleeping), which is why they are not in the pictures.

From there we drove to Martin Place and found parking for only $2/hour, which is not bad considering we are talking about smack-bang in the centre of Sydney.

Click on this (or any) image for larger view.

Werner busy ordering a Lindt chocolate milkshake. Man, they are nice!

Karin, Karla and the Kasselman's enjoying a desert. While taking this pic Eugene was grabbing at the camera, so it took some doing.

Karla + Chocolate = Happiness

Dad & Eugene at the Lindt shop (and yes, I gave him some choclate when mum wasn't looking...)

From here we drove to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB to the locals), which is just one of those places that oozes character and yesteryear-charm. One needs a full day to do this (relatively small) mall justice. Karin loved it; I think we'll be back soon.

The tip of the 3-storrey high Christmas tree in the QVB.

A wide-angle view looking down into the mall. Click on the image for a better view.

This is the kind of thing for sale here. A set of Montegrappa pens for the bargain price of only $18,300.

....but, true to form, the folllwing three images (and items) were my favorites on the day. They remind me of my dad, as he also makes these kinds of figurines. When they move over here this is what he and I will look like on evenings when the Bokke play (and annihilate) the Wallabies...

This one reminds me of my brother-in-law in PE, Andre. He is always in the bush in some form of 4-wheel drive transport. If they ever move to Aus, I will buy him a hat just like this bloke is wearing. C'mon Andre & Elaine, for a hat like that moving to Aus is a bargain!

Going Down. On our way down to the carpark and then home. The elevators are inside the building and "open", so you can see the mall as you travel up or down.

He may have an Aussie passport, but Dad will make sure he grows up a Bok supporter (although I think he may well change his mind at ~13).

~ END

A dry run for when Bok & Pop arrive. . . .

For those who have ever had a braai at our place, these pictures will be very familiar. For Brendon's parents these serve as a "taster" of what's to come...


Min dae; vasbyt!

Some Marlborough (NZ) and Margaret River (Oz) "whites". Mmmmm!

...oh, and the usual Eugene pics....

~END