Hopeful, Happy New Year

After the challenges of 2020, we all hope for a better year in 2021, however, C19 is still around and promises to keep challenging us in this new year.

Today is Friday and I woke up at 8:13 am after going to bed completely sober at 12:45 am.

As the only drinker in our two-person family, I had consumed a bottle of Carlton Zero which, unlike Heineken's equivalent has NO alcohol, and two glasses of Barefoot Shiraz. The former was a bit gassy and came in a piddling 330 ml bottle. I usually only buy 375 ml or larger but made an exception this time to try the new brew.

The only complaints I have about Carlton Zero is it's small, gassy and doesn't come in cans which are easier to fit into the fridge.

Yeah, I know, there are much more important things to think about like C19, poverty, homelessness, the push to "Reset" us by the UN, the Chinese trade challenge etc.

Whatever, 2021 will bring with it what it brings and there's not much we can do about that.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it is to make the most of your life for the next 12 months. Try to stay healthy, happy and content.

Happy New Year!

Robin

Meredith Visits for Christmas

Meredith and me at Rehn Bier

Meredith drove off at 5:30 am for the 15 hour drive back to Alice Springs after visiting us for a week or so during Christmas.

Max, the camouflage dog came with her and had a couple of nice walks in Tanunda between being spoiled with special foods and plenty of attention from Pop and Nana.

As usual, he had to be drugged to cope with the trip but after worrying all day - as parents do - both arrived home safely at 10 pm and we were relieved.

During her stay Meredith shopped until WE dropped. She's 30 years younger than us and therefore much more energetic and resilient. Not only that, living at Alice Springs, she's deprived of the variety of shopping we have in nearby Adelaide and Ti Tree.

I have a psychological distaste for shopping; I like to know what I want, go get it and come home. None of this swanning around. However, being the great parent I am, I stuck it out although towards the end, I waited in the car listening to music while Christina and Meredith shopped on.

Meredith also likes fine wines - especially sparkling wines and what better place than the wine capital of Australia to do some wine tasting?

We drove to Rockford Winery, 1847 Chateau Yaldara Wines, and Saltrams and gave the other 69 a miss on this occasion. At Yaldara we visited the Vintage Chef Company cafe for lunch which gave Meredith a 20% discount on her purchase.

As "Bob", I resisted the temptation to imbibe so we could get home safely but that was fine, I rarely drink before 5 pm anyway.

Meredith tasting a sparkling white

The old vineyards and wineries are worth visiting if for no other reason than to view the beautiful buildings, wooden furniture and surrounds.

Gardens are well developed and gorgeous in the case of 1847 Chateau Yaldara having had 173 years to be established.

The buildings are largely constructed from bricks or rocks plucked from nearby fields. They'll all be standing well after we're gone.

We also visited Rehn Bier on her last night and each bought a carton of mixed beers. Rehn Bier is conveniently located 200 m from our house and I've become friends with the owners and staff as I visit every so often - but not that often.

Unfortunately, this year, son Dale wasn't able to visit as he had work commitments and grandson Tory decided at the last minute to stay at home.

We had a pleasant Christmas Day lunch with smaller amounts of food than usual, but still sufficient. With only the three of us and Meredith being a vegetarian, there was little point cooking up a whole restaurant full of food.

Next year we plan go all go somewhere together for a family Christmas.

Stay well.

Robin

Adelaide River War Cemetery

We drove to Darwin from Alice Springs as son Dale was scheduled to have a cochlear implant operation. It's 1500 km so we usually stop somewhere overnight and make the trip over two days. 

We stopped at Mataranka and then drove the shorter distance to Darwin.

Enroute, we visited the Adelaide River War Cemetery which is a beautifully grassed and laid out area to remember those who died in the Top End during World War II. Of particular interest to me were those RAAF members of 31 Beaufighter Squadron and 44 Wing.

There were airfields all over the top end, numbers that ran parallel with the Stuart Highway and many of the deceased would have been victims of the Japanese bombing of Darwin and other areas.

Although I've driven past the cemetery, which is a kilometer or so from the highway, this is the first time I have visited.

I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful lawns and gardens that comprise the cemetery and surrounds which is available for picnics and recreation.

This is a nice spot to stop and reflect on the many thousands of men and women who made the supreme sacrifice so that we could live in freedom under our own flag and with our own values rather than as captives of others.

Every day I'm reminded of how fortunate we are to live in Australia and I say a silent thank you to our heroes.

Robin