29 March 2010

A Report from Party Central

I've just realised this is my 500th post.  I think it's taken almost five years...or is it four?...to reach that.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TONI AND FRED!

Anyway, to last Saturday.  The day was busy...there were people everywhere...the lawns were mown and tidied around the edges, the marquees raised and the tables and chairs set out.  Decorations were made and balloons were blown up, which worried the animals at little, especially when the odd one burst.  I tried to bring Ebony into my place but when the cats came to see what was going on, Ebony decided discretion was the better part of valour.  Not that the cats are frightened of her, far from it, but I guess Ebs didn't feel too comfortable.  So I put her inside at her own place.


Anyway, Jane's kitchen was humming with activity (Jane had taken the boys to their respective soccer games...which both teams won).  Fred's nieces and nephew and various out-laws had taken charge.

Around about three, the band arrived.  We couldn't get our usual band, you know, Jacquie, Greg and Nigel.  The boys were up the coast at a gig and Jacquie was partying with us.  At one stage, I happened to glance out the window and saw a huge bank of speakers.  My God! I thought.  Then Kylie, Fred's niece, asked me if I had taped my windows up!  I was starting to wonder about it all...as I think Ken was.  The band started a sound check and the music sounded pretty good.  But it was only a sound check...  There were six guys plus a couple of female vocalists all up...almost an orchestra.  Apparently they were friends of Kylie's.


People started arriving about 6.30...the usual suspects plus a few strays.  There were lots of nibbles and we sat around and talked for a bit until dinner was served.  During this time, the band was playing relatively quiet reggae (if reggae can be quiet...but we could hear ourselves talk).  After everyone had eaten, then things really got started.  The sound was cranked up and people jumped up to dance.


We had Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Guns'n'Roses and some great classic Aussie rock by AC/DC (or AccaDacca in Australianese), Cold Chisel and Australian Crawl, to name a few.  It was pretty good stuff.   One of the band members was very versatile...he played saxophone, keyboards and harmonica.  The bass player also took his turn on the drums.  There were three, sometimes four, vocalists.  They made some good noise...and I guess we kept the neighbourhood in the surrounding 5 kms awake.


All quietened down at midnight "before the coppers arrived" as the band leader said.  I did suggest they carrying on playing until that happened...


The next day, I was very subdued.  I really can't take these late nights/ early mornings the same as I used to.  I only had a couple of glasses of wine, but drank four 600 ml bottles of iced water...the temperature was rather warm that night, especially as I was doing a lot of dancing.  The next day I was meeting a friend for brunch, fortunately not until 11 o'clock, so that wasn't so bad.  I did think at one stage, that maybe the day after a party wasn't very good planning, but what the hell...


Black and white was the theme...



The Twins' Rogue's Gallery

Not sure if this can be read but it says "Happy 20th Anniversary of your 30th Birthday", which is quite a witty way of saying Happy 50th Birthday, I think.


The band, plus the obligatory esky of Four X in front, to keep their throats from drying out...yeah, right!

15 comments:

Mountain Mama said...

WOW!!! That was some party. Aparently everyone had a great time, even the band. LOL

rel said...

Robyn,
I know what you mean about not being able to party like we used to. It took me a week to recover from my vacation.
Just the same, I wouldn't give up the fun times with friends and neighbors.
rel

Gattina said...

That must have been wonderful ! it's such a long time we didn't have such parties, I think it also was on Mr. G 50th birthday ! Looong ago, lol ! Now he likes it more quiet.

Margaret Cloud said...

Boy, this was some party, I have never been to a party with a band, sounds fun. Happy 500th blog, this is something, it took me over two years to crank out 100. I am glad everyone had fun, thanks for taking the time to come by. Have a nice week.

Jack K. said...

All's well that ends well.

Glad the festivities went off as planned.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?

Now, go get some much needed rest.

Hootin Anni said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, all the fun and festivities and I missed it!! Dang. By the way, Guns n Roses are one of my favorite groups...with that music you just can't go wrong. LOL

Great photos, and what a joyous occasion to celebrate. Love your nickname for Ebony also...Ebs. cute.

Angelo said...

hahaha, I had to think about that for a sec! I'm going to start counting my birthdays as anniversaries of my 30th hehe....

Sounds like it was a blast Robyn! Belated Happy Birthday to the birthday peeps!

Tinsie said...

Looks like fun was had by all! I love the "Happy 20th Anniversary" message. Hee hee.

RennyBA's Terella said...

Happy Anniversary - all of them!

What a rocki'n good post!! You know I love them all and seen most all of them life: Rolling Stones, Guns & Roses, AC/DC (Yea; They gave a concert in Oslo, Norway about a year ago!!)

And do you know what: When you come to the Oslo Blog Gathering in August: aHA give a concert on Saturday - if you like :-)

Happy Easter dear celebrating blog friend!

Merle said...

Hi Robyn ~~ Glad the party went well
for all of you and the bad was good.
Thanks for your comments and it is great to be back. I was climbing the walls with no internet.

Of course you can post Zen teachings,
Make someone else smile.
I won't know for 3 weeks until I see
the specialists, but am trying not
to worry. Time enough when I have to.
Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

Lee said...

Whooohooo! It sounds like it was a great night, Robyn! What a ball! It's a pity that the wine isn't as good as it used to be and we can't drink it much anymore! Damn shame! It's the same here with me! ;)

Happy Easter, Robyn!

Gledwood said...

Ain't nothin' like a good party... nice one!!

Lifecruiser Travel Blog said...

What a wonderful party! Such a success. Dancing until exhausted hah? *giggles*

Christine and FAZ said...

Wow, what a party. Happy Easter from me and the humans. FAZ

p.s. Birks sends his purrs to you all too but I am not very happy with him as he woke me up this morning at 4 am for a game of chase. The humans had to shut us in separate rooms to stop the mayhem.

Liz Hinds said...

Not party like you used to?!! It doesn't sound like you've slowed down any!!

By the way, when do you get to Wales?