Dear Friends,

I do hope that 2009 has not been a dreadful year for you, with this global financial crisis.   Here at Balmoral life goes on as happily as ever.   Our management and staff look after us superbly well.   We have had a coach trip/cruise on West Lake.   This included a luncheon on board.    The cabin crew had this down to a very fine art.   Recently we took a coach trip to Monato Zoo.   This Zoo is similar to Dubbo Zoo.   We had a light lunch there while we waited for the special bus to take us through the Zoo.   The Animals there are exclusively African, and are being bred.   The highlight for me was when the bus halted beside a most beautiful lion.   His coat was so lustrous, it seemed he had been groomed just for us!   Any excess animals are sold to other zoos.   The area is over 4,000 hectares.   The volunteers rode on our bus and gave us a wonderful insight to the breeding programme, telling us of the arrival of many of the latest additions.

We have a raffle about every 3 months.   The proceeds are used by our Social Committee to pay entertainers.   We have had a variety of entertainment.   The last being by far the most special.   We had a violinist and piano accompanist.   They were very good, bringing us a programme of light classical pieces.   Some we knew, others we heard for the first time with great enjoyment.   This evening was made possible by the chairman of our committee who purchased the piano, it is for our use while he lives here, and then is bequeathed to his grandson.   What a generous soul! Unfortunately none of the residents are able to play the piano

As I write to-night we are to have a Spring BBQ with entertainment by a Jazz Quartet.   This is a great departure from usual, we always have fish for dinner on a Friday evening.   Talking of Spring the past week we have had a heatwave lasting over a week.   According to the records we have just recorded our hottest November temperature of 43c today.  I know there are places that have even higher temperatures but for Adelaide lets hope it does not go any higher.   Yesterday we had our first catastrophic fire danger forecast.   Following a series of thunder storms we have many bush fires burning today.   I do hope that you are all ready for any fire emergency where you live.     

The Chamberlain Family

I told you last year that I had visited Christina, who was married in October.   After that visit I travelled down to Sydney with Christina and Bon.   Neil picked us up, dropping Chris and Bon at the hotel where Greg and Heather were staying.   We went on to Cremorne for me to have a little time with the family.   

That evening Neil took me to the venue for Kim's wedding, right beside the Spit Bridge.   The dress code was "glam".   Kim and Rolf Blikling were married in a beautiful beachside ceremony.   During this ceremony a very cold change arrived.   Kim and Tory (who was her witness) wore lovely sleeveless dresses and must have felt chilly.   At least the men wore jackets.   The reception was held outdoors, and during the evening the staff were so worried they brought out tablecloths to wrap around the ladies.   We were all shivering, except for Prue, who had worn her glamorous mink coat.   Greg kindly lent me his jacket, but I was frozen from the waist down.   The reception was wonderful, Rolf's brother has prepared pictures showing the Blikling family history, (there were a few interruptions from Rolf here and there that caused great hilarity).

I wished he could have continued on but time and the weather was against him.   I phoned Neil to pick me up, and reluctantly l was the first guest to leave this memorable event.

Kim and Rolf have spent some time in Europe, taking Tristan along for part of the time.   He had to return to Australia as he is in Year 11 and could not miss too much of his studies.   They also met up with Tory in Europe.   She was there during her "gap" year, having sat for her HSC last year.   Alister is studying at Brisbane Uni.

Greg and Heather continue to work at their Jim's Mowing franchise, and are expanding their flock of chooks.   Greg has developed an interest in them over the years, while Heather has her parrots.   They are a great hobby.  

Heather's Dad lives in a cabin on their property, so is around to feed the animals when they are away.   He loves to do a bit of gardening, so all in all he is a great help.

Christina and Bon have a menagerie of animals, so she takes after her parents, and has certainly found a soul mate.   She is slowly gaining weight, and they are happy.   Next year Christina will start a science course at Brisbane Uni, I do hope that she will enjoy her delayed tertiary education.

I do love a wedding ...
Christina & Bon	the whole family celebrates; what a shame I couldn't make it
Kim & Greg at the wedding	Kim & Rolf's wedding ceremony

The Gamble Family

2009 has been a rather unsettled time for most of the Gambles.   Kim has moved from San Francisco, California to Ashland Oregon, about 600 kms north.   She is searching for Enlightenment, and has many like minded friends there.   She is hoping to start a "Help While You Heal" business.   Meantime she will take any job within her range of expertise.   Of course she is a Civil Celebrant and performs weddings, but they are not an everyday occurrence in a smaller town.

Barbara and Bob have seen major changes.   Bob was diagnosed with Bipolar disease, so a change was necessary.   Fortunately Barb's Delights has been bought out by another company, Aussie Mobiles, effective the end of June.   Since then they and Toby have had a change of job.    Also Bob's Father died on 20^th January, he had been ill for a while; he and Bob had worked together as security guards as well as when Bob had the driving school, so it was very hard for him to cope.

Neil is working in the IT industry, although it is rocky.   Roger and Rex are both at Mosman High School.   Roger is in Year 10 having recently completed his exams.   Rex started high school this year.   Roger is studying Japanese, and went to Japan recently for 8 days, which must have been a wonderful experience.   Rex is interested in Music and Art, taking after Usa.   Usa celebrated her 50^th birthday this September – Neil hosted a surprise party for her.  

Usa congratulated on her 50th birthday

Neil reveals a hidden talent

That completes the family news.   I want to tell you all that my special friend, Norman passed away on 5^th Sept.  We had a beautiful friendship lasting for the 6 years that we have lived here.   He had been ill for a few months and was ready to depart this world.  It was not unexpected, but the end was quick and peaceful, for which we must all be grateful.   His family requested a wake be held at Balmoral after the funeral, so they could meet Norman's friends, as most could not come to the funeral.   Now Norman's apartment is ready for a new occupant, so life goes on ...

I do hope you are all ready to enjoy this festive season.   Wishing everyone A MERRY CHRISTMAS & A SAFE, PEACEFUL and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Cheerio, Gwen.