The DJ's came to Visit

The DJ's have finally come to their senses and after 8 long years of living in the fog in Victoria, they've returned to Queensland. They packed the container until 2 in the morning, found they had too much gear to fit in the car so had to contact a removalist, cleaned and cleaned and cleaned and then endured a 3 day drive north. At least they're back where they belong and can start to settle again.

We had a happy three day visit with them. Each night we had a special treat before dinner - thai chicken mince balls, marinated chicken wings and mustard and red wine wagyu bites - and the piece de resistance - Mars Bar Slice. It's a favourite of Andrew's from when they lived next to us many moons ago and I only ever make it when we get together. Hopefully I'll be making it more often now.

We sat around and chewed the fat about job opportunities (or lack of); the advantages and disadvantages of taking a job with a grain company in a very small country town; their recent trials with the job they left in Victoria; kids; mothers; husbands; what it's like to live with your in-laws and a host of other topics that popped up as we went.

We all know each other pretty well and little events and sayings from the old days kept cropping up. It's a very comfortable existence with these guys and I'm thankful for their friendship and place in our lives. They've know our kids since they were 10 and 5. Their 3 kids are wonderful little people and are so well behaved and polite. We really enjoyed having them.

Megan and Chris were home for the weekend so Gibbo made full use of the boys. They took off on Saturday morning and went to rake and catch yabbies at a ring tank on the property of a friend. The evidence and results are in the pictures.

Drew went back to Brisbane with Meg and Chris on Sunday, after the DJ's headed off. He's spending the week with his cousin and is going to a volleyball camp each day. It was sad to see both kids drive away and over the grid, out of my immediate life for a week.

Gibbo and I went out for dinner with 4 of the 6 other couples that we're travelling to the Australian Open with. We brainstormed ideas for the Sunday night dinner and chose an Asian restaurant with an interesting menu. There were 11 of us around the table on the verandah, eating by candlelight and reflected light from outside. I looked around at us all, content in the knowledge that with this group of people, I am comfortable to just sit back and watch and take it all in without really having to be a part of it all. The conversation ebbed and flowed, laughter rang out, the kids came and went and I soaked it all up. I also thought how blessed we were to be able to do what we did that night without the threat of bombs raining down on us or wondering where our next meal might come from. Our biggest problem was choosing an upmarket restaurant to eat at while we holidayed in Melbourne - ezard, flower drum, rockpool or longrain?? Tough hey?