Happy birthday Caitlin!

Our grand daughter Caitlin is 16 today! Happy birthday to a delightful grand daughter!

Here she is with her father, Raphael

Miss Saigon

Zachary very kindly organised seats for us to see the latest production of 'Miss Saigon'. It was an excellent production and quite different to the first production I saw in New York in 1992. It was very special to be at the show with Zachary. He and his friend Sarah have just returned from a holiday in Vietnam where he was born and they have just spent time sharing their recent photos of modern Vietnam with us.

Exhibitions in Sydney

When we visit Sydney, we always like to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art down at Circular Quay as well as the Art Gallery of New South Wales over at the Domain. This visit we viewed some excellent shows at the two galleries: The Dobell Prize for Drawing; Bertram Mackennal; Primavera 07: Exhibition by Young Australian Artists; Julie Rrap: Body Double and Cross Currents: Focus on Contemporary Australian Art.

Jane, Martin and Layla visit

Noel, Marion, Layla, Jane and Martin

Noel, Marion, Suzanne, Jane, Martin and Layla

This morning when we visited aunt Marion and Suzanne, Noel's sister Jane arrived with her son Martin and his girlfriend, Layla. Jane lives in Perth, Western Australia so it is special to be able to spend time with her when she visits the east coast. Martin is based in Sydney with his work.

Happy birthday, Dorian

Our grandson Dorian is 17 today. Congratulations!
Here is a recent photo of Dorian with his sister Edie!

Kieren in his studio

We visit Aunt Marion and Suzanne Hyland

Peggy, Kieren, Suzanne, Zachary, Sarah
Noel, Marion, Jane

Peggy, Kieren, Suzanne, Zachary, Edward
Noel, Marion, Jane

Noel and Jane

Noel, Marion, and Jane

Suzanne in the kitchen preparing some coffee for us.

We took a bus to Neutral Bay and walked down to Cremorne to visit Aunt Marion and her daughter, Suzanne. Noel's sister Jane is currently visiting from Perth, Western Australia, so we spent some happy times catching up with family news.

Later in the afternoon, Kieren Paynter, Aunt Marion's grandson arrived home from work. He has a studio in the basement of the house and he invited us down to have a look at his current paintings. He has a meticulous technique. He paints in oils in very fine detail and he pays great attention to the subtlties of colour. His work is very impressive.

Zachary and Sarah arrived and also Kieren's friend Peggy and later,we made our way up to Neutral Bay to visit a Thai restaurant for the evening meal.

We spend some time with Elizabeth Taylor

We arranged to visit a dear friend, Elizabeth Taylor who lived in Launceston for many years. We have kept in touch since she returned Sydney (where she spent her childhood), and we try to catch up with her whenever we visit Sydney. As usual, we spent a very happy time with Liz.

Teacher appreciation

'The education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind ...'

'Abdu'l-Baha

Each year the Baha'i community arranges a teacher appreciation evening to provide children and their parents with an opportunity to show the teachers how much they are appreciated.

When I reflect on my childhood and school days, I have several teachers that come to mind who had a significant influence on my development. I appreciate their dedication, creativity, patience and encouragement.

Lucy Flood
Bill Bock
Jack Lees
Ken Arnold
Terry Woodward
Margaret Brent

Betty Haywood
Max Maddock
Fay Wallace
Les Wallace
Maurice Knight
Jim Hunt

A visit to Sydney

Zachary enjoying dinner at the restaurant.

An atmospheric view of the city from the harbour.

Two groups of people climbing the Bridge.

Luna Park near the bridge.

Today we travelled to Sydney to spend time with our son Zachary and his friend Sarah.
Zachary has anapartment at Mosman quite near the Ferry so in the afternoon we took a trip on a ferry to circular Quay and then went by train to the Queen Victoria building where we had a coffe at a favourite cafe called 'Queens'. Later, Zachary and Sarah picked us up in their car and we went and had a nice relaxed dinner together before returning to Mosman.

Happy birthday, Caleb!

Caleb hunting for tadpoles

Edward with Raphael on my knee, Caleb sitting on the glacier and Toby standing - taken in New Zealand , December 1970

Caleb (in front) with some school friends

L to R :Grace & Mac Broomhall (my parents),Tom Broomhall (holding baby Zachary and with Tahirih in front), Lottie Broomhall, Noel, great aunt Heather Dunham; Raphael, Toby and Caleb in front. This was taken on the verandah of the family farm house at West Ridgley, Tasmania.

Caleb with Blaine and Hespa
Caleb at work on a painting in Madang, Papua New Guinea in 1970

Today is another happy birthday for our second son, Caleb. He came into our lives 38 years ago today. I am posting just a few photos from the past and one that features Caleb with his two children, Blaine and Hespa.

A visit to the N.W. Coast

Edward with Elizabeth Page at Devonport.

Edward with Lexie Williams and two of her children, Deanne and Viv.

Today we visited some friends who live on the N. West Coast at Devonport and Wynyard. We also visited the Tulip Farm that is located on beautiful Table Cape near Wynyard.

Juliet and Patricia

Patricia Adams, Pat Ahearne and Juliet Partridge

Mike Adams, Juliet Partridge, Patricia Adams, Ken Partridge

Our dear friends, Juliet Partridge and Patricia Adams have launched a beautiful pocket sized calendar for 2008. The calendar features reproductions of their drawings and watercolours of historical, Launceston architecture. Juliet says "We've focused on the buildings we really like and there are some unusual ones that some people might not know about.".
Noel and I were invited to the official launch of the calendar. Another good friend, Pat Ahearne graciously provided the opening speech.

Flowering Cherries in bloom

We always look forward to the time when these beautiful trees bloom every October. They are located on the main street that leads from our area in Trevallyn into the Launceston city centre.

Breakfast with Ann and Kevin Stark

Kevin and Ann Stark joined us for a leisurely breakfast at 'Cafe Culture' our local cafe in Trevallyn. It was delightful to spend some time with them during their quick visit from Hobart.

Exhibitions at the Brisbane City Hall

Virginia Kaiser

Nalda Searles

Daniel Mafe

Gwen Egg

We always enjoy the exhibitions that are held at the Brisbane City Hall. Today was no exception. We enjoyed viewing three exhibitions:

1. Daniel Mafe paintings - Porch Songs

2. Woven Forms - Contemporary basket making in Australia

3. Michael Riley - Sights Unseen

I was delighted to find basketry pieces by three of my favourite Australian basket makers in the 'Woven Forms' show - Nalda Searles, Virginia Kaiser and Gwen Egg