Monday, December 31, 2007
Christmas Letter 2007 (another attempt)
Okay, by popular demand, a more serious attempt at a Christmas Letter for 2007, or at least a "Year in review" for us. You can read it online here.
Brisbane 9pm New Year's Eve Fireworks
Okay, these are quick, low-quality copies, but that's what you get when I took the photos only an hour ago! Enjoy.
New Year’s Resolutions
Next year I want to:
- continue to grow in my relationship with God
- continue my journey towards being the teacher God wants me to be
- be an even better husband
- learn to play drums
- do more viola practice
- (learn how to) do some rock climbing
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Catching up with friends
We drove back to Brisbane on Boxing Day, after a relaxing Christmas in Valla Beach with Nadine and Dennis and their family.
The drive back took us seven hours again, by almost the same route. We just took it easy, not wanting to get involved in any shenanigans or excitement—unlike (apparently) some of the other drivers on the roads that day.
The following few days have been filled with friends and laughter. It’s been really good to catch up with some old friends (Facebook just isn’t the same). We even saw Stuart last night, who’s been living in Kalgoorlie!
More family and friends in the coming week, then we go up to CMS Summer School on Mt Tamborine on Friday. We’re planning to be “in for visitors” on Thursday 3rd. Come visit us if you’re free, at Ian’s parents’ place: 54 Highcrest Dr (corner with Ranchwood Ave), Browns Plains.
The drive back took us seven hours again, by almost the same route. We just took it easy, not wanting to get involved in any shenanigans or excitement—unlike (apparently) some of the other drivers on the roads that day.
The following few days have been filled with friends and laughter. It’s been really good to catch up with some old friends (Facebook just isn’t the same). We even saw Stuart last night, who’s been living in Kalgoorlie!
More family and friends in the coming week, then we go up to CMS Summer School on Mt Tamborine on Friday. We’re planning to be “in for visitors” on Thursday 3rd. Come visit us if you’re free, at Ian’s parents’ place: 54 Highcrest Dr (corner with Ranchwood Ave), Browns Plains.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Wedding in Dorrigo: Tracey & Londe
Drove up to Dorrigo yesterday for 
Tracey & Londe's wedding. It was spitting and raining for most of the day, but stopped just as the girls arrived at the church (St Stephens, Anglican).
The boys turned up wearing cool black hats; they looked like Mafia boys. And then the bridesmaids showed up with matching white hats! They all looked very smart.
The reception was at the bowling club. Tracey's friends Tash and Bre from Darwin had decorated the hall very nicely. Laetitia and I got to know a few of Tracey's friends during the evening, including these two girls. Tracey's mum had made us Cottage Pie, and Tracey herself had made us some delicious chocolate cake; we were very well fed!
(More photos available here.)
We stayed the night up in Dorrigo, at the Dangar Falls Lodge, which is a twelve-bed building right next to the Dangar Falls parking and lookout area. Tracey had booked it for the week. On Sunday morning we walked down to the falls, then spent some time sight-seeing before returning to the Lodge with take-away lunch from a cafe in town.
We stopped in Bellingen to check out some craft places, both on the way up and on the way back down.
Tracey & Londe's wedding. It was spitting and raining for most of the day, but stopped just as the girls arrived at the church (St Stephens, Anglican).The boys turned up wearing cool black hats; they looked like Mafia boys. And then the bridesmaids showed up with matching white hats! They all looked very smart.
The reception was at the bowling club. Tracey's friends Tash and Bre from Darwin had decorated the hall very nicely. Laetitia and I got to know a few of Tracey's friends during the evening, including these two girls. Tracey's mum had made us Cottage Pie, and Tracey herself had made us some delicious chocolate cake; we were very well fed!
(More photos available here.)
We stayed the night up in Dorrigo, at the Dangar Falls Lodge, which is a twelve-bed building right next to the Dangar Falls parking and lookout area. Tracey had booked it for the week. On Sunday morning we walked down to the falls, then spent some time sight-seeing before returning to the Lodge with take-away lunch from a cafe in town.
We stopped in Bellingen to check out some craft places, both on the way up and on the way back down.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Drive to Valla Beach
We took a leisurely drive down to Valla Beach today. 
Rathdowney first, where we spent our third and fourth nights on our honeymoon almost ten years ago. Then the Lions Road over the range to Kyogle. We stopped for lunch at Wiangaree just north of Kyogle.
From Kyogle we drove down the Bruxner Highway to Grafton, then took the beautiful back road to Coffs Harbour, arriving there from the west down through the banana plantations. I like this road. It's quiet and relaxing, gorgeous gum forests to look at, enough hills and turns to keep you awake (unlike the sleepy 340km between Mackay and Rockhampton, which is otherwise very similar), and only a couple of towns to slow down for.
They're still working on the highway just south of Coffs, but it's much better than it was this time last year.
Rathdowney first, where we spent our third and fourth nights on our honeymoon almost ten years ago. Then the Lions Road over the range to Kyogle. We stopped for lunch at Wiangaree just north of Kyogle.
From Kyogle we drove down the Bruxner Highway to Grafton, then took the beautiful back road to Coffs Harbour, arriving there from the west down through the banana plantations. I like this road. It's quiet and relaxing, gorgeous gum forests to look at, enough hills and turns to keep you awake (unlike the sleepy 340km between Mackay and Rockhampton, which is otherwise very similar), and only a couple of towns to slow down for.
They're still working on the highway just south of Coffs, but it's much better than it was this time last year.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Zafron
We went out for dinner tonight, with our parents, to “Zafron”, a Persian/Mediterranean restaurant on Brunswick St in the Valley. Let's just say they don't cater to vegans. Only one dish on the menu seems to be okay… but no such luck. All the rice is prepared with butter; no, they can't do up any more. The lavash bread is pre-stuffed with cheese and who knows what else. The chef came out to chat, but she wasn't very helpful. In the end she offered to mix and match a couple of items from the menu, including a few dips with some Turkish bread.
Our meals were served on very large plates, of a most interesting variety of shapes. But the servings themselves were not especially large. Laetitia and I basically shared a few slices of Turkish bread and dips, and a small helping of char-grilled vegetables. Laetitia's mum was disappointed that her “Lamb Shanks” turned out to be “Lamb Shank” (no plural). The flavours were certainly delicious, and the texture and preparation excellent… just there wasn't enough of it to satisfy. (And they charged Laetitia and me $15 each for the privelege. Our parents' meals were quite a bit more—the meal total for six adults was $120.)
Recommendation: Don't, unless you're a rich meat-eater.
Our meals were served on very large plates, of a most interesting variety of shapes. But the servings themselves were not especially large. Laetitia and I basically shared a few slices of Turkish bread and dips, and a small helping of char-grilled vegetables. Laetitia's mum was disappointed that her “Lamb Shanks” turned out to be “Lamb Shank” (no plural). The flavours were certainly delicious, and the texture and preparation excellent… just there wasn't enough of it to satisfy. (And they charged Laetitia and me $15 each for the privelege. Our parents' meals were quite a bit more—the meal total for six adults was $120.)
Recommendation: Don't, unless you're a rich meat-eater.
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