My year started with a visit from Gary so we could go to the 3rd cricket Test against South Africa at the SCG, with Judith and Steven. A  day or two were rained out but we did see some play on the final day.

With the remedial work to stop water ingress finally completed, I was able to get all the carpet upstairs replaced, a new sofa bed was delivered, aircon was installed in the spare bedroom and I had a carpenter build in several new bookcases, replacing tired old free-standing bookcases.

I continued my long standing subscription to the ACO with Gregor and we enjoyed the season. I also managed to visit Gregor up in Belmont and we toured the coastal areas up there, north and south of Newcastle, that he knows so well, while also catching up with (cousin) Helen and Terry for lunch on Lake Macquarie. Gregor and I regularly lunched together in Alexandria (when he was not overseas) as he volunteers with the Railway Historical Society nearby.

Henry from our swim squad/gang took me to see my Hawks play his Swans at the SCG early in the AFL season. Hopefully I saw some future grand final champs. Later in the year Henry, Louise and I went to the disastrous The Brian Jonestown Massacre concert in Enmore: a whole ‘nother story!

Easter was with sister Mez, her husband Phil, Jan, Brian and Gregor came down from Newcastle.

I flew to Melbourne on the anniversary of Ken’s death in April so Gary would not be dealing with this in Lorne and Mary also came down for dinner with us which was a wonderful way to celebrate Ken’s life. After this, when Gary was up in Canberra, I drove down to catch up with him, Mary, Karen, Bruce and Georgie for a further celebration of the Kenny.

My big overseas trip was in May to Helsinki and Berlin (again, I know). I saw some wonderful exhibitions and buildings in both cities, took heaps of photographs and finally travelled down to Potsdam from Berlin. I lucked out with great Airbnbs and managed to swim regularly. Flights on Cathay Pacific and Finnair were great.

Soon after this the swim gang all went on an Ocean Swim Safari to Heron Island and this was fantastic. The sea life and swimming were brilliant each day and evenings were spent lingering after dinner together, with too many bottles of wine as there is no internet or TV on the island.

In August I spent a week or so in Auckland, including a few days with Mez & Phil and this was great. We ate well, travelled to Piha, out to Waiheke Island and around greater Auckland.

After this things settled into more regular programming with regular local pub trivia at the Carlisle Castle Hotel on Wednesday nights (in Aanya’s team and she is now an associate member of the swim gang) and drag trivia in Sydenham with the swim gang in November. Some of the swim gang continued our semi-regular Friday night drinks, mostly when Roger was back in town. 

Jemima (who had moved to Melbourne for work) flew up in November for Sally’s retirement dinner that we had with Belinda – like old times! I had some catch-ups with Jenny, Ben and Leckie (including Kenny’s 50th) as well as the regular Christmas lunch at Tatts with Mez & Phil, Jan & Brian, Alan & Carole in December. There was also another pre-Xmas lunch on Lake Macquarie with cousins Helen & Terry, Phil & Ros plus Gregor.

In October I joined the Radio Community Chest choir and attended regular Monday night rehearsals in St Stephen’s church, Macquarie St, so I could participate in their 82nd annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah in Sydney Town Hall. (Fortunately this 400-strong choir does not hold auditions!) Virtually the whole swim gang plus Mez & Phil attended on the Saturday performance and Gregor, Marty and Mary attended on the Sunday. I really enjoyed this whole experience, so thanks to Ingrid for her gentle encouragement.

I will try to provide separate updates about my Kindle reading and podcast listening later as usual.

Mary Ex-Moose!