Well, as it turned out I had to cancel the big birthday bash this year. No swinging from the chandeliers in front of thousands of friends and followers during this dreadful coronacrisis. My husband took the day off work and we headed across to MacMaster’s Beach for lunch at the Barefoot Cafe. I’d been there a few weeks ago and had a scrumptious prawn spring roll. Moreover, it was outdoors, the sun was shining and it has a priceless panoramic view sweeping across the beach and headlands. It’s pur magic and you don’t need to be a millionaire to enjoy it.
This birthday wasn’t anything special in a way. Last year, was the Big 50 and everything that goes along with that. I was hoping to have a big belated 50th birthday bash at some point, but along came the bush fires and now covid. I still haven’t entirely given up on the idea, but it’s not going to happen any time soon.
Geoff ignoring the “No Stopping” Sign at MacMaster’s Beach.
Anyway, I’d thought I’d share a few photos with you from the not so big day.
Meanwhile, as we all know, a birthday lingers on and goes on for a few days by the time you get around. Yesterday, we headed down to my parents’ place in Sydney for a birthday lunch with my parents and brother. That went really well and we had a fantastic chocolate cake from the local French patisserie/chocolate shop. I also had a chance to practice my piano playing on a real piano instead of my daughter’s keyboard as I wait for the Yamaha MX88 keyboard to arrive. Needless to say, Bach’s Minuet in G sounded infinitely better on mum’s Steinway Concert Grand. I know a poor tradesman always blames his tools, but the sound was like chalk and cheese. Mum gave me a few tips and I rummaged through her music collection and found a compilation of Easy to Play Classics. I am not too proud to admit that after a 20-30 year break from regular piano playing, that I’m not above going back to beginner pieces. That said, I can still play some of Moonlight Sonata and Fur Elise from memory. So, not all is lost.
I’m waiting for my synthesizer/keyboard to arrive and I spotted Schumann’s “I Believe” on mum’s keyboard. Yes, I have hope that I’ going to progress beyond Bach’s Minuet in G which I first learned as a 9-10 year old.
It would be lovely to get together with all my blogging friends together under one roof and celebrate something…anything…one day. While it lovely and really interesting to mix with people from all around the world through blogging, it’s a pity that it’s so difficult to meet up in person. After all, I’d love to give each of you a piece of birthday cake and take you on a bit of a real life tour of some of these breathtaking local views.
Maybe one day…!
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
Happy Birthday! You had cake and the beach. Can’t get better than that! I love the expression you used “chalk and cheese.” This is a new one to me. Is there an origin story behind it? Since I have no musical ability at all, I have great respect for anyone who can play an instrument. My daughter took piano lessons from our neighbor for a little while but it never took.. I was disappointed because she has, what my mother would have called, piano fingers-long and slender. I thought it would be a perfect fit. Glad you were able to get some time in on a real instrument and that your birthday was so pleasant. Take care.
If the pandemic has taught me anything, it is that every day is cause for a celebration. Happy belated wishes! 🎂🎉
Great you where able to have a great birthdy.
Happy birthday! Some cake and a day at the beach are enough 😉
Happy birthday Rowena. glad you were able to get out and enjoy it.
Happy Birthday, Ro! Any birthday that involves a chocolate cake is a pretty good day! 🎂🎂🎂
Happy Birthday. I’m enjoying the virtual cake.
Yes – happiest of happy birthdays Rowena. And how about we celebrate the early retirement of corona virus. I’d be willing to lift a mug to sending him off to sit alone in a room somewhere — alone — for a long time — with a mask.
Hey, sounds like a fantastic idea. When I was first diagnosed with my auto-immune disease, dermatomyositis, I called it Dermie and he ended up becoming a stalking shadow. I ended up writing a story while I was still in hospital about setting himself up with someone else via an online dating up. Seemed like a great idea to me and I still remember how I laughed when I added that twist to the tale and how therapeutic it was.
How about this 2020 version of Hamlet: “To mask, or not to mask…That is the question”.
Best wishes,
Ro
Thanks, Trent. However, this morning a package of treats arrived at the door from my niece and I am home alone (albeit with three naughty thieving dogs). They macaron tasted sooo good and I’m off to get another cup of tea so I can indulge again.
Best wishes,
Ro
Sounds good, thieving dogs and all.
Thanks very much, Scooj. Glad you enjoyed the cake.