Monday, December 15, 2008

Gulping in fresh air

Watsons Bay is just inside the "heads" to Sydney Harbour and about 5 kms sailing distance to the city, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. As is our want my father, Laurie, and I mooched along the Marine Walk on Saturday morning. He enjoys himself as long as I talk about what he can see, plain as day, in front of him - not what he has to remember. To quote him, he has a good "forgetory".

We do a lot of people watching - he especially enjoys young children and their interaction with family members. He will ask if he has any grandchildren - he even asks if he is my father.

Last Saturday, on a whim, I put a set of boules into the mix. Dad was a very good lawn-bowls player in his 50s - good enough to be club champion. Boy, did he enjoy himself! Don't let the look of agony fool you - that is purely concentration and effort. The two of us playing even rustled up a crowd of tourists with cameras - to his further delight as he was getting two shots closer to the jack than I each time!

Note that he has a firm grip on the table to avoid toppling over ...

4 comments:

Jules said...

Hi Julie (great name!!) Great spot - remember it well. I so love your post. Your Dad looks like a real character and he brought a huge smile to my face!! Living life to its fullest is obviously his motto!!!

stromsjo said...

Forgetory or not, sometimes it's enough to just be yourself. Thanks for sharing this.

Ann said...

Lovely post and photos.

Did a quick bit of googling and I think the tree may be a Brachychiton acerifolius or Illawarra Flame Tree, which makes a lot more sense. I've emailed mum the photos of the flowers and flower sprays (see last Friday's skywatch now updated)to see if she knows.

bitingmidge said...

This post and your father will remain etched in my mind, ironically for his "forgetory" - given time I will quote him too!

A top post Julie...

Cheers,

Sunshine Coast Daily - Australia