Sunny Melbourne

All's well down south. Julia and I have recently had a week in the South Island of NZ courtesy of Triumph Australia and I'll attach some pics to rub it in. I have an interview next Wednesday to become editor of Motorcycle Trader which may turn out to be a mixed blessing but fingers crossed.
It's Julia's birthday tomorrow and Amanda and Adam are in town along with Nick and Dom. The plan is breakfast at Heidi as it's too hard to organise any other gathering. Everyone is so busy.
Dom is back at uni and working three nights a week at a bar which we all frequented last night. His friend Katie works there too so it was good to catch up.
Amanda is getting on with her PhD thesis but managing to fit a few gigs in as well. Harmony is doing well and the Ukes have a few gigs coming up, one of which we should be able to get to.
Annika is alive and well overseas and enjoying her work but it will be nice to have her back in Australia. Only five more months...
The NZ was for four journos and partners. First pic is the women dreaming of the spa they were going to have that night. The last one was outside our apartment in Queenstown. Julia and I had the penthouse suite. Respect at last.

Blogfest

G'day Ad
 
Hope you're great!
 
Just wondering, as I can't seem to do it myself, can you please put the following onto the Roff Blog for me, I don't have family email addresses and I think this a good way to go....THANK YOU in advance. xx
 
JakeFest 2013
 
Hi, Jake's 40th birthday celebration is coming up and I am wondering if you could let me know if you're coming or not, those who haven't already been in touch of course. I just want to make sure that the older folks have a bed as I am starting to get a few requests to book the bedrooms in the College, but would like to take care of family members first.
If you would like to contribute toward Jake's gift you can email me at kellylawrence74@hotmail.com and I will sort you out. I'll also let you know what your $ is buying him. Thanks! Love to all, Kel x

Photo pics

Seems quiet in Roffland. Everybody overseas? Newcastle?

I am still acquiring family photos as Dad enjoys the concept of downsizing.

Here's one, another Dunbogan epic:

I think the only time Mardi and her children and grandchildren were ever located in the one place.

Recognize anyone? I calculate May 1966 as we were just learning to gamble in $ and c, and pass on the lsd.

Brendan

Zac Update

Hello! Inspired by Annika's amazing update, i thought that i would give you all a small update on my life. Things are good! Work is fine, but thats not very exciting. My weekends are far more fun - recently (photos below ) i went skiing up in the mountains, about a 2hr drive from my place. It was amazing, and we scored some pretty decent weather! Coming up next is a trip to Spain with Mum/Dad/Liz to do the Santiago de Compostela pilgramage and then later on in summer i am headed to both Copenhagen and Iceland with Liz, so looking forward to that!

Hope alls well! :)

Roffs really are jet setters

Zac in Norway, Annika and Dom in the Phillipines, Rowan and Andrew in Japan - we really are a family of jet setters. The luckiest Roff of all though is Cathie, pictured here with Marianne and Stuart on Newcastle Harbour. 

Damo is the Wild Horse guest artist!

Check it out at www.wildhorsecomic.com . If you were wondering why things slowed down on the website it's because I got a temporary job in an auction house and spending all the money I earn takes up all my time.

Brother of the Month, February 2013

Dom wins for being the first to visit me in the Philippines.

After surviving Manila on his own for a few days, no mean feat, Dom and I met up with some other volunteers in Donsol and tried to track down the local whale sharks. Unfortunately our efforts were thwarted by poor weather. The picture below is as close as we got.

 We did manage to go one a night cruise up a river to see fireflies in their natural habitat. They were spectacular, like fairy lights in the trees. Dom drank his body weight in mango smoothies, and he also got to enjoy a uniquely Filipino experience, toploading on a jeepney, which made the trip worthwhile. He also got a nice view of the Mt Mayon volcano from the airport as we flew out.

I headed back to work and Dom headed into the mountains to brave a four hour caving expedition in Sagada. Fortunately he survived and was able to return in time for the annual Panagbenga (Sunflower) Festival in my home town, Baguio. Dom was one of 12 guests we hosted over the festival weekend, so it was party central at our small, two bedroom apartment. The neighbours also invited themselves over for some karaoke action on Saturday night, so things got quite cosy.

Dom’s off diving and biking around Palawan this week before we catch up for one last hurrah in Manila. I’m sure you’ll hear more tales from the adventurer himself when he gets home, but I thought I’d share a few photos because it’s been so nice having a visitor in town.

Ken downsizing

Dad is thinking about moving from the self contained unit that Mum and Dad have been in for 10 years or so.  He can move into a serviced apartment in the same complex and so still be near Mum.  But it does mean he has to get rid of everything.  He'll be over the moon once that is achieved.  Mum has always been a hoarder. Dad a chucker.  Brendan's rescuing the photos.  I'm trying to offload the big furniture.

Anyone interested in an 'antique' Jacobean suite - a 3 seater and 2 armchairs?   Mardi had it in Carrington Hall so it would be nice to pass it onto another generation!
Also going out is a grandfather clock - it too is from Carrington Hall.
And a couple of glasses cabinets and a sideboard.

Martin

Tuross Photos

A few more Tuross photos to add to the collection. A wonderful week!

Cheers
Martin

Sifting

Sleepy Friday afternoon.

I have been sifting and sorting through the photo collections of Betty and Ken over the last few weeks. With Tuross still in our minds, and the recognition of a previous generation that started a tradition at Dunbogan, this shot captures some of the major players of that era, in flight. Eileen, Val, Betty and Betty, with I expect Norma at the piano, just a typical afternoon after a sherry or two. Or maybe the cards on the piano suggest a birthday.

Mum continues her Lazarus impersonation, joyous to see you, occasionally in the moment, often asking if I've been out to Carrington Hall recently '…cause I'm just concerned about Nanny' (her grandmother). Dad has calmed as Dr Tony increases his prosac dosage, continues his daily swims, a bit doddery on the pins, aghast at Australian cricket. All is steady, all is good.

Brendan

More to come!

Magoo 50 something.

Happy Birthday Ash (9th). Im not 100% sure but Im guessing the best picture on in the year you were born was "Marty".  How good was Ernest Borgnine in McHale's Navy. Found a nice pic of John and Ashley enjoying an episode of "Packed to the Rafters". Happy Birthday Ash!

Cal 17

Happy Birthday Cal! Cal got a Kitten for his birthday and named it Pedro. Cal was born in 1996. That year Braveheart was Best Picture at the Academy awards. Happy Birthday Cal!

30th Bash

Here are a couple of pics from the night. Milly and her mate impressed everyone with their unique brand of dancing, 'The backwards claw'. There was no theme but I've always said that my next themed party would be "Hair Metal". Daniel took that on board for the occasion.  Meanwhile, Paris took Dad on board and in the last photo Daniel presented me with a red wine shaped chocolate cake (made by my very good friend, Cath). 

Roffs and Forrests were well represented by Rowan, Nick, Adam, Milly, Daniel, Stu, Marianne, Paris, Lara, Jesse, Amber, Greg, Shauna, Vanessa, Peter, Django, Niwilli, Nefra and Bad Zach. Nick and Rowan shouted me my first shot of the night, rum, and it went down hill from there. We partied until we were kicked out of the pub at 3am. Some kicked on, many could not. It was a great night, a lot of fun and a reminder that turning 30 doesn't mean you have to grow up.  

Amanda, backed up by Harmony, played in Newcastle and Sydney over the weekend. Milly caught them at a trendy new bar in Newcastle and Adam, Sonia, Genevieve, myself and a whole host of fans went along to the Sydney gig. As expected, Harmony were beautiful, enthralling and much loved. 

Lost Plot

Sorry to Alaine 23/1, Vicky, 24/1 and Gandalf 1/2. Missed Birthdays. To compensate here is an excellent image of Catweazel. Happy Belated Birthdays!

Django Unchained

Here's some more Christmas photos courtesy of Dad.

 More to come.

Upcoming events?

Hoping all are well and surviving droughts and flooding rains.

'stralya day in Mudgee, caught this upcoming event.

Sly dog …. Never spotted a sombrero at Tuross.

Brendan

More Tuross Photos

 Ladies Morning Tea at  the Boat House (aka heaven)

Amanda and Shauna and the view

Elvis

Best salon in town

Extra curricular activities

Cousin's Dinner

Dom's $5 Opp Shop Buy

Dom's $5 Cocktail Hour

Happy Birthday Tood