A 21st Birthday and Christmas

 I have special family permission to show this photo. Grandson T celebrated his 21st birthday a few days before Christmas with a climb to the top of the arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with his father. This is not a climb for the faint hearted or those afraid of heights, but look at that view. The Opera House on the left, opened by the Queen in 1973, and the huge cruise liner Voyager of the Seas on the right. This has to be almost the best view in the world, second only to Buckingham Palace. I left Sydney by ship in the 1970's for the U.K from that very same berth. A 5 week voyage. In those days it was possible to have visitors to your cabin for farewell parties and hundreds of streamers were thrown ship to shore. Bands played, tears shed and goodbye's were screamed. Now ships slink quietly away with barely a wave and security and health and safety spoils the fun and the emotion of parting.

 Also by special permission a Christmas day photo of 15yr old Grandson A wearing his Christmas gift sunglasses.  I am so proud of my 2 very special grandsons.

 One of my gifts, a book about French Cats and we all know they are much more sophisticated than cats any where else in the world.

 I thought Puss in Boots was English. No! there is an insert in the book with the story of P in B and turns out he is French. The story written by Charles Perrault 1628-1703. Now I know the whole story.

A fun find at the markets today, a decanter shaped like the GOLD COACH with four tiny cups. Now when the Queen and Prince Phillip visit I can offer Phil a tot of rum while the Queen sips Earl Grey from a coronation cup and nibbles on cucumber sandwiches. I am always on alert and ready for this mythical visit. I will only need about a six month warning.