Friday AM I worked from home for a few hours - my son, Mitchell informed me he was off to walk the 1000 steps in the Dandenong ranges, about an hours drive from our home. I've cycled through the ranges and it is one of the most prettiest places you can enjoy on either a sunny day or even a wet day. In the valleys huge tree ferns reach towards the sun amongst the tall gums.
KOKODA TRACK MEMORIAL WALK - From Parks Victoria.
(incorporating 1000 Steps)
Created in the early 1900s the 1000 Steps Walk was originally made from the trunks of tree ferns laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier. These were replaced by wooden palings before the more permanent concrete steps were installed in 1950.
The Victorian veterans of the Kokoda campaign adopted this park as their memorial site in 1998. .The similarity of the walk to the first 100 metres of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea resulted in the establishment of the 14 plaques along the walk, dedicated to those Australian Military Forces who fought and died on Kokoda. The 1000 steps represent the “Golden Staircase” a name given by Australian soldiers to the 2000 steps cut by the Australian Army Engineers and others into the track between Uberi and Imita Ridge.
Saturday AM my Daughter Carly arrived down from the Gold Coast to join in the birthday celebrations of her father (that's me) my Father (her Grandfather) and her own which is on the same day as my Father. Carly's partner Sharn's birthday is on April 7, so it's a big week.
My Father Jack has reached 90 years young and he was delighted with his early birthday celebration Saturday night with his many friends and family around him, all younger naturally. He was my inspiration to cycling and to this day, still is. I'm amazed at his passion to continue riding 5 days a week at the local velodrome. In 1 hour he will cover his 20 kms totalling 100 for the week. What a grand old chap he is!!!
Sunday AM. A bit of a sleep in after my Father's birthday celebration. Decided I should do some more work on the house and replace some window frame wood rot. I don't like to brag (too much) but I'm getting good at this. My third window frame and within no more than two hours and the job was done.
I was however interrupted with a call from Sue to come and have lunch, Pea and ham soup cooked in the pressure cooker - real autumn comfort food.
PM. Sue decided to replicate the recipe from a fellow blogger for Coq au Vin. I said to Sue, "this looks great, can we have this Sunday night?" Ken Broadhurst writes daily from the Loire in France. His blog is "Living the Life in Saint-Aignan". Here's the link http://ckenb.blogspot.com/
We actually commented on Ken's blog about having Coq au Vin and invited you all around for dinner but it was just us two. Where were you all?
And during dinner we finished watching Gone With The Wind which seemed to go on for hours - well it did really.
KOKODA TRACK MEMORIAL WALK - From Parks Victoria.
(incorporating 1000 Steps)
Created in the early 1900s the 1000 Steps Walk was originally made from the trunks of tree ferns laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier. These were replaced by wooden palings before the more permanent concrete steps were installed in 1950.
The Victorian veterans of the Kokoda campaign adopted this park as their memorial site in 1998. .The similarity of the walk to the first 100 metres of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea resulted in the establishment of the 14 plaques along the walk, dedicated to those Australian Military Forces who fought and died on Kokoda. The 1000 steps represent the “Golden Staircase” a name given by Australian soldiers to the 2000 steps cut by the Australian Army Engineers and others into the track between Uberi and Imita Ridge.
Saturday AM my Daughter Carly arrived down from the Gold Coast to join in the birthday celebrations of her father (that's me) my Father (her Grandfather) and her own which is on the same day as my Father. Carly's partner Sharn's birthday is on April 7, so it's a big week.
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| Jack and Elsie, what a grand old lad he is at 90. |
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| The cake organised by my sister Faye. Good job. |
My Father Jack has reached 90 years young and he was delighted with his early birthday celebration Saturday night with his many friends and family around him, all younger naturally. He was my inspiration to cycling and to this day, still is. I'm amazed at his passion to continue riding 5 days a week at the local velodrome. In 1 hour he will cover his 20 kms totalling 100 for the week. What a grand old chap he is!!!
Sunday AM. A bit of a sleep in after my Father's birthday celebration. Decided I should do some more work on the house and replace some window frame wood rot. I don't like to brag (too much) but I'm getting good at this. My third window frame and within no more than two hours and the job was done.
I was however interrupted with a call from Sue to come and have lunch, Pea and ham soup cooked in the pressure cooker - real autumn comfort food.
PM. Sue decided to replicate the recipe from a fellow blogger for Coq au Vin. I said to Sue, "this looks great, can we have this Sunday night?" Ken Broadhurst writes daily from the Loire in France. His blog is "Living the Life in Saint-Aignan". Here's the link http://ckenb.blogspot.com/
We actually commented on Ken's blog about having Coq au Vin and invited you all around for dinner but it was just us two. Where were you all?
How was your weekend? - leave a comment.
Happy birthday to your father! He looks wonderful. I bet the "coq au vin" was as delicious as when Ken made it.
ReplyDeleteHe's a bit of a devil, my father is!!
ReplyDeleteKen's coq au vin was really nice - YUM.
Happy Birthday Leon - how this year has flown by, you were here around this time last year. Your Dad looks great and we send him best wishes too.
ReplyDeleteStill enjoying your blog & looking forward to seeing you both next year!
Love
Carol & Michael
Carol & Michael,
ReplyDeleteWe can't wait to catch up again.
Yes Dad is still a bit of a Lad and he so enjoyed the night.
Hope you are both well and enjoying your French life.
birthday greeting to you all :)
ReplyDeleteThe Kokoda Track is an important part of Australian history. It has left its mark on the Australian people and is rightly now, within the last decade or so, being recognised. Peter Brune's book 'A Bastard of a Place' is the recognised authoritive book on the Australians in Papua. It is a very fine read and this movie does a good job at portraying this important period of Australian history. Kokoda Track
ReplyDelete