Post #139 7 April 2017

Gentlefolk,

This post covers the period between our return to Canberra (from Queensland) on 7 March, and our departure for Hong Kong on 28 March 2017.

The big event was the birth of Jay Milton Olah, our new grand daughter, in Hong Kong at 2.20am on 8 March 2017. I know babies are 9 months coming, but the actual birth always seems like a miracle.

Caroline's parents, Paul & Niniek Milton, arrived in HK just before the birth; Vera and I followed later in the month.

Just passed 15,000 hits on the blog since it started in February 2014. Total of 714 in the last month: top three sources Australia 205, USA 175, and Germany 80.

Here are some photos of the new baby, and other events during March 2017.

The birth of Jay Milton Olah on 8 March 2017; 2.9 kg, 48 cm long.  Welcome to the world, Baby Jay!  Our best wishes for a happy and fulfilling life.

Proud parents Andrew & Caroline, with baby Jay.

Jay was born in HK Sanatorium Hospital.  This was the view from Caroline's room, looking across Happy Valley Racecourse to Causeway Bay.  Their apartment is at the far end of the racecourse, only about 1 km from the hospital.

Back home in the apartment, after five days in hospital. Niniek is nursing Baby Jay.

A close-up of Baby Jay, 5 days old.  The miracle of birth / life.

Baby Jay in her crib at home.  Babies are so incredibly tiny when born, aren't they?

On 28 March Vera and I will fly up to HK to see our new grand daughter; can't wait. That will be the subject of my next post.  In the meantime, here are some of the things we got involved in, in Canberra.

In the three weeks we were away the weather has changed, from the heat of summer to a feeling that autumn is here.  Beautiful, clear days, great for bike riding around Lake Burley Griffin. I love the big blue sky here. 

Another view of Lake Burley Griffin, the cycling/walking path.

The Super 16 Rugby competition has started, including the Canberra team, my beloved Brumbies. I've been an avid supporter for 20 years, and try to get to all the home games when I'm in Canberra.  Actually there are strong rumours at the moment that Australian Rugby Union will cut one of the 5 Aussie teams in this competition (Qld Reds; NSW Waratahs; ACT Brumbies; Melbourne Rebels; and Perth Force).  I agree that we just don't have the depth of talent and the financial resources to maintain 5 teams, but let's hope the Brumbies are not the one to go.

The Brumbies had a good win over the Perth Force (but they lost to the New Zealand Highlanders last week).  The Brumbies have been the most successful Australian side in this competition, and after one month are leading the Australian Conference - but all the Aussie teams are struggling to win against New Zealand and South African teams this season.

With my friend Noel Cock at the Brumbies game. Other regulars at the games are David Evans, Paul Flint, Jim O'Callaghan, Paul Nicol, and Neale Emanuel.

Afternoon tea at home with Bruce & Linda and Neil & Helen - old friends from dancing days.

We celebrated John Milne's 80th birthday. John and Somsong have been friends since 1973 when we were colleagues at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. In fact, they were the first couple to invite Vera to their home when we started dating. Lovely couple. John was a media specialist and very good at his job.

John and Somsong Milne with two of their children, Penny and Marcus. Their other daughter runs an orphanage in Northern Thailand and couldn't make the birthday party.

On 14 March we attended the funeral service of Barbara Cleaver (nee Evans), the sister of our good friends Christine and David Evans.  I met David in 1965 when we both worked at Treasury, so I've known the family for a long time.

David Evans reminiscing about his sister, Barbara, at her funeral service.

One day when I was riding my bike I came across a meeting of the Rolls Royce Owners Club, on the lawns near the National Library.  Many wonderful old cars.

... more Rolls Royce cars ,,.

... and still more RR cars ....

Some of the later-model Rolls Royce cars. 

On 19 March we attended an outdoor  "Brass Band Concert" at Hall, on the outskirts of Canberra.

Some of the crowd at the Brass Band concert.  We went with Donna and John Bakker, and Demsi.  The weather was a bit threatening, but fortunately the rain didn't start until the concert was over.  A nice way to spend a summer's evening: together with friends, a picnic, out in the open, listening to music.

The Brass Band concert was sponsored by our financial advisers, Stephen Barnett and Scott Lilley whose office is located in Hall.

Vera's birthday on 21 March.  

Celebrating Vera's birthday.

Dinner with Aniko and Peter Carey, and their daughter Adrienne to celebrate Vera's birthday.

On 25 March we visited the Versailles Exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA).  

We were given a private tour of the Versailles Exhibition by our friend Maria Helena Nicol who is a volunteer guide at the NGA, and very knowledgable about the Exhibition. .

Some of the stunning exhibits in the Versailles Exhibition.  

We went to a concert by "Blood Sweat and Tears"; Jazz-rock band which was touring Australia from the USA.  Their hey-day was 40 years ago, and these were all new musicians, but still good to hear the old songs ("You've made me so very happy", "And When I die", "Spinning wheel", etc.  In April we've booked to go to a concert of Elvis songs, and then The Animals in May. 

I attended a public lecture on "Globalisation" by Professor Richard Baldwin an American academic who teaches at a university in Geneva; he is a world authority and excellent communicator.  Basically, he thought Globalisation is unstoppable in the digital age, despite people like Trump wanting to turn the clock back.  Canberra is great for prominent visiting speakers and I'm hoping to get to many more lectures like this one. 

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On 28 March 2017 we flew to Hong Kong to see Andrew & Caroline & Little Eddie & Baby Jay.  The next post will describe that visit.

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I've almost caught up on my blog - just one more post and I'll be up-to-date.  So pleased.

Best wishes, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Alex & Vera Olah
Canberra, Australia
Friday 7 April 2017
(Post written in Hong Kong).