Ally's 50th birthday

 Hi there Ally

Just a little note to wish you a very, very happy 50th birthday. Hope you have a very special day and that your 50's are full of love, connection, fun, laughter, wonder and adventure.

There's another very special little being who wants to say "Happy Birthday."  Mackie is now 18.  He's as beautiful as ever and doing remarkably well for his age. His days of ball chasing are over but he still adores sniffing and peeing on just about every bush.

You and I have lost contact, which is entirely natural, but know that I think of you often and it's always with a deep sense of love, affection and appreciation.  You were and always will be the great love of my life.

How wonderful to be able to spend your birthday in South Africa.  Hope you are having a beautiful time there with your family.  Thank you for staying in touch with my family too. They appreciate it so, so much and so love seeing you.

Sending lots and lots of love to you all  💛💚

Graeme & Mack

Photo from Ally's visit with Jo & Antony

Ally's reply

Hey G, 

Sorry it has taken me a while to respond. I have been trying to find the rights words....something you are so good at!

Firstly, thank you so much for your birthday wishes. I had the most awesome trip and day. It was truly special to see everyone in Cape Town including your mom and Jo. Mack crosses my mind often so I loved seeing the pics of him. Seeing his smiling face was so lovely 😍 

I too think of you and sincerely hope you are well and enjoying life. Gosh, we had some really great times together! You taught me so much. I will always be externally grateful for the time we had together - what fun, adventure and love we had. 

Your mom mentioned that you will be going to Antarctica soon. How amazing is that!  Another adventure, I have no doubt you will get the most amazing photos....have fun and hope it us not too cold.

You are a beautiful person and deserve happiness and peace. 

Please take care of yourself and Mack.

Lots of love 💙🤩💚

My reply

Hi there Ally

Thank you for your message and your lovely, affirming words. We both wish so deeply for each other's happiness, and that is such a beautiful thing.

Oh, your doggies are so gorgeous! I am sure that they are the most loved doggie pair in all of Sydney and that they were super excited to see you when you got home!

Yes, I'm feeling so blessed to be going to Antarctica. I got to see 7 polar bears in The Arctic and now I'll get to see hundreds of thousands of penguins in Antarctica. For a photographer lover, it's a dream come true.  We're spending some time in Buenos Aires on the way to Antarctica for team building, so I am sure that will bring back lots of memories of our time there.

Sending love. I hope you're settling back nicely into Sydney life after your time away.  I'm so glad you had such a wonderful birthday and trip.

G

Ally's birthday lunch

We invited Kerry, Charles and Katrin over for left overs from our dinner the night before.
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Ally's birthday dinner

We had a wondeful evening with Bruce and Christy, Ash and Clair, Yvonne and Holga. Ally surpassed herself with her dessert - creamy home made ice cream with turkish delight, pistachios, marshmallow and red berries. Yum!!
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Ally's birthday party

We had a great part outside our flat, on the lawn overlooking the harbour bridge and Opera House. Ally put on the most fabulous spread including blue cheese quiches with caremelised onion, sundried tomato and basil quiches, Satay chicken, salmon in filo pastry, lamb sausages, beef meatballs, prawns in pancetta, fruit galore and crisp fresh veggies to dip into a mint dip. Then up to the flat for Bree Cheese with caremelised macadamian nuts, Kerry's now famous cheesecake, more fruit and coffee. Needless to say, everyone was totally stuffed by the time the party was over!
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Ally's birthday picnic

We had a lovely picnic on the lawn outside our flat to celebrate Ally's birthday. Thanks to all those who sent such lovely birthday messages. And especially to Una for sending beautiful lillies all the way from London!! They made Ally's day.

Ally's birthday

It's Ally's birthday tomorrow and Colleen's next week so we all got together for lunch in Cambridge to celebate. It's been a stormy day with ferocious gusts but we had a lovely day indoors. Before lunch, Ally and I did our tennis lessons and we're making good progress - though not quite Wimbledon standard yet.

Ally's 30th birthday