Happy Christmas

Wishing our friends, all over the world a very Happy Christmas, from both of us here at home - where we have NO snow - yeah!

Gosh, has it been that long?

Its been over a month since I wrote to my blog - I guess I use Facebook more and more these days, but some people only read my blog - so here is a recap of what has been going on in our lives in that time.
We went to Australia at the beginning of November, to visit my parents for a week or so. Unfortunately on the way over, our upgrades did not clear on United and so we were relegated to the "back of the bus" and boy is that a long flight (14 hours from San Francisco to Sydney) plus you have to add on the flight from Portland to SFO as well as the Australian domestic flight from Sydney to Coolangatta (great word that!) about 24 hours in transit in total - and we finally arrived at my parents apartment around noon - so still had several hours to stay up, before heading to bed.
During our stay with my parents we were able to squeeze in a dog show in Brisbane, and also enjoyed some of the local seasonal fruits (mangoes, Lychee's etc) and several of the wonderful fresh (SweetLip, John Dory, Barramundi, and lots of fresh prawns and Morton Bay Bugs - a type of local crayfish) The weather was unseasonably cool and although we walked along the beachfront most days, it was never hot (so much for Global warming!)
After that we headed for Melbourne, where we were judging a dog show - however on the morning we were to leave (at 6am) I realized I had lost my Australian passport - I was able to get on the plane with my US drivers licence and upon arrival in Melbourne attempted to replace my lost passport. This I discovered is not easy, especially when all your ID proving documents are in the USA - I was able to get a longstanding friend - thanks Ray - to sign that I was, who I said I was, and after 2 days at the passport office finally got a "limited, 1 year" passport issued to me. To turn this into a real passport, valid for 10 years, I have to appear in person in the embassy in Washington DC, with proof of ID - fortunately I have a judging assignment in January, in the area, so will do it then.
Having wasted a lot of time getting the replacement paperwork done, we were finally able to head to the Yarra Valley wine area and enjoy a day or so wine tasting and relaxing. On the Thursday night we decided to treat ourselves to dinner at a highly rated restaurant - well highly rated by others, not us after our experience. We booked for 7pm dinner and arrived to find 2 other couples in the restaurant - not busy, but then it was mid week and a fairly pricey set menu. By 7.30 we had still not received our wine, that arrived about 8 pm, along with some bread and the appetizer arrived about 8.15 - it was really boring waiting - and all we had to do was look out the window at the grassy area, where there were some bunnies cavorting around - this was a bit weird as the appetizer was rabbit tortellini...fortunately by the time it arrived, it was dark outside and we could no longer see the rabbits! By the time the meal was complete it was about 10pm, and needless to say we had not enjoyed the evening and the tip reflected this!
On Friday it was time to drive to Morwell where we were to judge a dog show, we took the scenic route and passed by a country property my parents had owned in the mid 60's, which was then, way out in the country, now its in the middle of the outer suburbs...
The dog show was very enjoyable - except on Saturday when it rained most of the day (David was not judging this day so he stayed dry) I discovered my raincoat was not even water-resistant (let alone waterproof!) I was drowned - but at least it was a warm rain! I gave a Saluki the group. On Saturday night, while we were in bed, the heavens opened, but miraculously by Sunday morning it was sunny and dry (and the football ground on which we were judging had perfect drainage) I even got a little sunburnt!! David judged the hounds this day and put up a lovely young deerhound, which was not there the day I judged.

After the show, we drove back to Melbourne and spoilt ourselves at the Marriott in the city, and had a great Italian dinner in Carlton (famous for great Italian food - and it did not disappoint.) Let me say it was amazing how expensive Australia has gotten, with the US dollar being almost on par with the Australian $, did not help - but we estimated than since our last visit 12 months ago, prices had gone up 25% - its now just as expensive as Scandinavia - no bargains in Australia, any more.
Home flight was better as we were upgraded to business class - yeah! We were than just home long enough to say hi to the dogs, do some washing, before heading out to Paso Robles to judge. It seems the rainy weather was following us - as again Saturday was very wet - and again David was not judging this day (see a pattern here?) however, I really cant complain, as I was inside all day! The next day was drizzly but not horrible and the last day was dry but cool - or cold (for California)
We then came home and relaxed and had a quiet Thanksgiving.......