Saturday, May 31, 2008

Basher Bainbridge Does Benedict

An overnight visit to the in-laws was a delightful distraction for DrummerBoy and I whilst the Fringelet crams for her last swag of assignments and exams. She finishes Uni in June and has already secured a job with Delloites which is very prestigious for her. So, we took advantage and went to visit the Groovey Grannies together. These are my in-laws with whom we've maintained close contact, my children are their grandchildren after all and we love them dearly. So at Adam's suggestion, we pootled up the freeway, bouncing to Karnivool and Funeral for a Friend, armed with an appropriate amount of Stella's and bottles of Chardonnay.

ClareBear had sent a beautifully crafted DVD and two pretty silver bracelets as a belated Mother's Day present so we took both DB's Thailand DVD and ClareBear's effort to flash in front of the grans.

We arrived just moments after Grandad had lathered a little too long in the shower washing his socks (don't ask - old habits die hard) and had slipped on the tiles. He was bearing a nice blue welt on his poor old back and a sprained pinkie but that didn't stop him mashing sweet potatoes with vigour and completing the evening meal. On Friday, apparently it's his turn to cook, sore back or no! Truth be told, whenever we go up there he cooks! We ate salmon tails and overcooked beans and the boys had a Chocolate Bavarian and ice cream before settling into the movie night. I managed to smash a glass quite easily and shower shards of crystal all over the slate floor . . .Top form Baino! Maybe so . . but very typical.

Not your usual slideshow these, the kids had each edited their stills and video, matched with appropriate music - not exactly granny fodder but rockin' good stuff anyway. So after watching ClareBear's South American adventures of Carnivale in Rio, water party in Paratay, St Patrick's day celebrations in Bolivia, random ear piercing of a fellow traveller, Uyuni Salt Flats, Nascar Lines, Pisco earthquake zones, Amazonian trekking, complete with leaf ants and massive hairy arachnids, Titicacan dressups, horse riding, Caman's and Toucans, Death Road mountain biking and lazing on sun drenched beaches . . .we then ventured to Thailand and trips to Pipi, loads of shopping, much beer drinking, scooter riding, elephant walks and Adam and Alex behaving badly in front of the Singaporean navy on Jet Skis . . .not quite the rugged adventure but they had fun nonetheless.

Adam, stonkered by a week of early starts and hard labour went to bed wondering why he laboured to get a degree when his best efforts comprise digging holes and laying a few pavers and Granny and I discussed the virtues or lack thereof within a certain photographic exhibition which has recently been banned, shared a few home truths and a couple of secrets, hugged and cried as we do - downed a couple more chardy's and retired.

Ever fit, the groovies had tennis at 8:30 - despite Grandad's obviously sprained finger and black and blue back - so DrummerBoy and I took advantage of the wonderfully sunny, if not still a little chilly and hazy, morning and went down to The Cove at Terrigal Haven for brekky. We bathed in the sunshine on their verandah and drank in the view . . .
Sitting on the verandah in the sunshine was perfect. Some of the locals were on hand, enjoying the morning sun or wondering if they could 'down' a swimmer before breakfast . . .

The boats bobbed below the haze as they do . . .

Early bird swimmers braced for the cold and swam for the entire time we were there . . I felt very lazy and guilty for some reason . . . but nothing would come between me and my latte . . .

We tried to pick the Grannymansion out of this lot but it looks very different from down here . . .

Eggs Benedict . . .God's breakfast . . .seriously . . .


Then my camera battery went flat . . .bugga!

11 comments:

GayƩ Terzioglu said...

Lovely pics. Sounds like great time was had!
I visited Clare and Jem's blog today and caught up on the adventures! Even managed to leave a comment. I added it to my favs so I will follow their ramblings on the road.
:)

Baino said...

Hiya . .cool! She's a bit sloppy on the posts I'm afraid, better on Facebook where she lobs her pics. Hopefully she'll catch up when she reaches the UK in July. Roit. Sun's well and truly over the yardarm! I'm off to Liquorland!

Anonymous said...

Must've been nice to share the DVD adventures with the blue rinse crew! - My mouth is watering over the eggs benedict!

Anonymous said...

That sounds like you had a good weekend. Nice Pics.

Terence McDanger said...

I'm feckin' glad the batteries went, I was bloody starving looking at the eggs benedict and couldn't handle any more.

Anonymous said...

Your May is equivalent to our November - the world is ill divided!

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic spot. If I was an envious person, I could be seriously afflicted. Surprisingly, it's probably as scorching hot here today as it is where you are.

Yes, I read about the exhibition. If that photo's typical, it seems a bit of a storm in a latte cup, I think it's the critics who're sex-obsessed not the artist.

Anonymous said...

I almost passed out reading your sentence which began with "So after watching ClareBear's South American adventures ..."! HAHAAA!!
I'm not happy about how Henson will have troubles in regards to future exhibitions - it may be the end of his freedom of expression for public audience (they way he would like). Bearman was at Terrigal yesterday! Not like how you were - beautiful place, recognise the Pelicans; boat photograph stunning! Time for a Family Get-togather for me in the backyard ... brrrr it's cold and wet today. Pinch and a punch!

Baino said...

Aww Quicky well you're in the thick of it, I enjoy your little slideshows as well. Yep, brilliant, now we're waiting for the sequel! How good is eggs benedict . . yeh but it's bad, yeh but its good yeh but . .

Grannymar, we did thanks Sunday turned a bit nasty and cold but hey . .it's winter. And I feel a little competition coming on thanks to your photo walks!

McDanger . . Yeh . .prolly why I'm the size I am . .sucker for some bearnaise sauce! They're not hard to make! If it's any consolation, that's all I ate on Saturday.

Ian: 'tis that although I've been in the UK in November and trust me, our May is far more clement!

Nick I might post about the exhibition in a piece I have on censorship. The photo flashed all over the news was 'provocative' but hardly pornographic. Henson is a particularly 'moody' photographer and his work has always been controversial but not distasteful. Dangerous move closing a gallery through the intervention of Federal Police.

Anony: I was exhausted watching the DVD from an armchair with a glass of bubbly in hand! Actually the Pelicans did ask to be remembered and I completely forgot. Shitty day for a Barbie. I've done the doona movie thing this afternoon.

Pinch and a punch back and the same to all you northerners when you wake! It's JUNE! Only six months to CHRISTMAS!

Kath Lockett said...

Ooooh, that eggs benedict looks absolutely superb!

Excellent Adventures said...

Oh my god! Can you not put pictures of awesome food on your blog anymore? I haven't had a decent meal in so long! Hoping Fraser's a good cook!!! I thought it was supposed to be cold in Aus, looks pretty decent to me!!!