We figured we should do our duty as friendly Aussies and show the tourists, Sarah and Duncan, some highlights of our wonderful country. We decided a trip to the Blue Mountains was in order so we picked a date and then we made them organise it (*ooops* sorry guys!). Our mini-break finally happened on the weekend and we had a great time.

We managed to fit in:

• Dinner and T2 on Friday night - after a hard week's work we were all exhausted and just wanted to veg on the couch and watch TV. While watching Terminator 2 we amused ourselves by adding "if you want to live" to the end of all of Arnie's lines... "my mission is to protect you... if you want to live" and so on. Well, we found it amusing *g*
  
  
• a long walk on Saturday - our planned route, the Giant Stairway, was closed due to a landslide so we had to take an alternative route, down the Furber Steps. We walked down to the Three Sisters, back up, along the cliff top walk and then down the Furber steps. By the time we reached the bottom my thighs and calves were killing me! We took the Scenic Railway back up to the top and it is still as exciting as it was when I was 12.
  
  
• Christmas in July...um August - on Saturday evening we had a huge dinner of Lamb Roast, twice baked potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, corn, carrots, broccoli, gravy and mint sauce. Dessert was custard and fruit salad. I think we over-catered slightly. We also played Scene It, a game I got for my birthday. It was great fun but some of the questions were very tough.
  
  

And to top off a great weekend, Andrew and I picked up some pies for lunch from Leura on the way home. (photos)

On the weekend we celebrated Sue's 26^th birthday with a BBQ and a game of lawn bowls at the Alexandria and Erskineville Bowling Club. We had a surprisingly good time. Who knew lawn bowls could be so much fun?

I've played bocce before so I had a basic understanding of the aim of the game. Although, the bias on the bowl obviously adds a new element and I kept getting in trouble for "throwing", instead of gently rolling, the bowl. It wasn't like I was bowling it over arm down the green or anything! I also got red-carded because I called our bowls instructor, Stan the man, a meanie (well, he was! tell it like it is!). I was on a team with Sue and Cat and we played Mark, Luke and John (just needed a Matthew to round out their team *g*). Obviously God was on their side because we had trouble even posting a score. Luke kept knocking our bowls away from the jack. The final score was 21 to 7 (we were given an extra point because it was Sue's birthday) and the Granny of the match prize was awarded to Luke. (photos)

Happy Birthday Sue! J and Sue also have some other exciting news. Read about it on noodlebowl.

It was the end of an era, when Sue recently hosted the last Lilli Pilli party ever! I've attended many fantastic parties at the Lilli Pilli venue including drunken uni bashes, sophisticated cocktail parties, rowdy games nights and lazy bbqs. When we think Lilli Pilli we think:

* round the world table tennis * cowboys * drunken D&Ms in a dry spa * wontons * the inclinator * easter egg hunts in the backyard * end of exams parties * Nathan trying to run through a closed glass door * Jeremy doing the same thing a few hours later and breaking the door with his head * webcam silliness * Mrs Tin's yummy cooking! * red dots on pork buns * wonderful water views * kayaking * rowdy games of Pictionary and Cranium * Mark's impression of Mr. Bean * losing J's glasses at the bottom of the pool * 2002 Connect4 championship *

I guess we should thank the Tins for their wonderful hospitality over the years... Thank you! (photos)

Happy Birthday Sue!!! Sue had a party on the weekend to celebrate her 25th Birthday. It was an Asian themed party with paper lanterns, wontons and a spectacular noodlebowl cake. Natalie was responsible for the birthday cake and it was amazing. It came complete with pork buns and chopsticks suspended in the air, just like the food displays at the chinese takeaway restaurants. (Photos)
During the evening Alison introduced us to a fortune cookie game. To play the game you must add "in bed" to the end of every fortune. Some of them are quite funny: You are in good hands tonight in bed Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by others doing it in bed No matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that in bed Some make no sense at all: Those who admire the freedom of birds have never built a nest in bed Strangely enough, others fit perfectly: Learn from the past, live for today, look for tomorrow, take a nap this afternoon in bed *grin* The standard fortune cookie joke is very suggestive if you add "in bed" to the end of it: This insert has a protective coating in bed More photos from Sue's party at noodlebowl.net.

Last weekend we headed down the coast for a relaxing three days of sun, sand and surf. The house we hired (well, Sue hired) was right on the beach and I spent the majority of the weekend sitting on the deck reading a book, listening to the crash of waves on the sand. We had a great weekend with lots of swimming, eating and boardgames. Scrabble seemed to be the game of choice, although we did manage to fit in uno, trivial pursuit and cranium. The weekend delivered everything! We even saw dolphins playing in the ocean (just like the brochure promised). Thanks to Sue for organising it. Check out the photos!