Sat 28th Jan. John TASKE Retirement Dinner.

So, John Taske came to the end of his Anaesthetic career and we had an excellent dinner for over 60 people at the Brisbane Club.

John had an illustrious career in the Australian Army when he served in Vietnam and was at the battle of Long Tan.

He also was famously on the 1996 expedition to Mt. Everest when many died and which was documented in 'Into Thin Air'

The menu and wines were chosen by John and his wife Tina.
John with Mel, one of our top secretaries.

Les girls and Chris.

Sun. 24th July. Brady's 25th Birthday.

Another great day's climbing - some signs of improvement from everyone.

As it was Brady's birthday we had the Moet out of plastic mugs back in the hut.
It looks cosy but was well below zero.
He even got birthday candles stuck in his dessert.

22nd May - Birthday Today

Another Birthday today - they seem to come round regularly.

I was given a 'Mr. Grumpy' mug! Someone else's surely?

Paula's 50th Birthday.

To 'Tartufo' restaurant at Emporium Brisbane for breakfast on the old girl's birthday.

Pertinent B'day card as we are soon to head off to Italy for the birthday trip.

Jake quoted Agatha Christie - but not on his T shirt.
Nicola, Paula & Madeleine.

13th March. Madeleine's 21st Birthday

To the Customs House in Brisbane with family and friends to celebrate Madeleine's 21st Birthday.

An excellent lunch with plenty of champagne.

And a final walk on the red carpet.

HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2011

Happy New Year to everyone.

I'll be skiing in Hakuba in Japan - where they just had 1 metre of fresh powder snow in the last few days.

Toodle-pip !

CHRISTMAS DAY

Brady & Nicola brought their puppy Hugo round in the morning.

Madeleine, Paula & Nicola were very pleased to discover 'Tiffany's' blue boxes

December already!

So all downhill until Christmas.

The weather in the UK has been all snow & ice but here in Queensland we've had unrelenting rain for a couple of weeks. There has been severe flooding out west and in NSW but we still have our heads above water in Brisbane.

Weekend before last we had dinner at Baguette restaurant for Jake's 18th birthday. Splendid evening.


Then last Friday, the Wesley Anaesthetic Group's annual Secretary's Lunch hosted by the board.
This was at Drift restaurant on the river.

Here I am with colleagues Liz & Kay.


And here, some of our lovely secretaries, Jaime, Monique & Mel.


MUCH Veuve Cliquot was drunk this day!

Jake's 'Formal' - Brisbane Grammar School 2010

To the Brisbane Convention Centre for the 'Pre' Formal.
Jake & Grace.

Having paid an astronomically large sum of money to the Grammar Schools for 4 lots of school fees x 5 years I was told that they were only serving soft drinks at the Pre and I'd have to go downstairs to another bar to get myself a glass of something!

Fortunately a lot of parents regrouped at 'Era' restaurant where thirsts were quenched.

Sat 21st Aug. Wedding of Chris Burgess & Lissie Castrisos

Chris, son of Jenny & John Burgess, married Lissie in the Boys Grammar Chapel.
A splendid day with lots of friends. This is John before the red wine stained the shirt.
Jenny with her parents.

Sat. 5th June. Belated Birthday Dinner -- THE BEARD IS OFF!

To 'Pintxo' Spanish Tapas restaurant in New Farm for a bit of a late birthday dinner.

The beard now off and minor hair trim. (Given enough wine I don't feel too sad....)
Nicola turned up sporting glasses for the first time. Comparisons with Nana Mouskouri were made (see Facebook). Paula also resorting to specs so she could read the menu.
Jake & Madeleine.

Day 23. Wed. 26th May. Fly to Kathmandu via Pokhara.

We leave Jomsom in this tiny plane which, it has to be said, was put through some pretty tight turns just to clear the valley.Weather caused a 3 hour delay at Pokhara. The Bridge School was in full swing. However, at this juncture we were amazed by the reach of the all-powerful Bikrum. He swung our flight even though nothing else was moving. Bikrum for PM!
As the strike was off we were able to get into Thamel for clean-up shaves of neck, faces or heads.


Then the much anticipated 12 course banquet at Dwarika's. This also involved much beer, rakshi, wine and whisky (thanks Dr. John)

Day 4. Fri. 7th May. Pashupatinath & Bhoudanath

The Maoist strike stopped us from leaving Kathmandu so most of us went for a walk over to Pashupatinath, the Hindu temple where the funeral ghats are - always a sobering place.
A couple of km. over the hill brought us to the giant stupa at Bhoudanath - remarkably quiet as all the shops were closed.
That evening we found a place near the hotel called 'The Food Zone Cafe' which was retrospectively christened 'Bikrum's Dodgy Kebab House' by Phil.

Far too many beers were consumed here !

Dave, Phil & myself early on.
Poppy & Sir Chris

We heard about 10.30 pm that the strike had been called off so we were leaving by bus in the morning for Pokhara. This led to massive celebration with more beers and harder drinks - oops!