For the past couple of years when the Mighty Saints have got really close to that elusive Premiership we have met Canadians who have for various reasons been supporters of the team that have beaten us in the Grand Final. In 2009 it was Mario and Melodie from BC who were Cats supporters. Then in 2010 it was Greg and Marianna from Collingwood of all places. They are great people but why did they have to support teams that beat St Kilda.
Why am I writing this and what on earth has it got to do with the Frost's in Canada in 2011? We Saints supporters are a magnanimous lot and and put friendship above Club loyalty (except of course in "Big Rog's" case). And we love a party! Especially when it is a birthday! And we had an invite to a 1st birthday party! Woohoo!!!!!!
So back into the CuRVey and on with Mrs Garmin and back to Greg and Marianna's at Collingwood for Julia's first birthday party. Apart from the Collingwood (Magpies) link we were extremely lucky to have met Marianna, Caralina, Maea and Greg in Australia and that was made even better when we met the then 10 day old Julia. This exchange program that we are a part of gives you much more than a chance to see new places it gives you the opportunity to meet new people. Priceless!!
We left for Collingwood after breakfast and travelled long a road that we knew fairly well but it was vastly different to the first time we travelled this way.The big difference was that there was very little snow and when you got out of the car you didn't need to get your jacket, gloves, beanie on just too try and stay warm. And it didn't seem really necessary to have the emergency blanket in the car in case we got caught in a blizzard!!!
To celebrate these and many other things, AND for old times sake..Salad Rolls!!!!
And by the way that isn't surf in the background, it's ice! So we didn't go swimming!!!
Having satisified our hunger we headed into the excitement of Julia's birthday. It's probably been around 21 years since I've been to a 1st birthday party (Greg's 22) so I was a little out of place but the people who were there were extremely welcoming and the party was lots of fun.
Following the birthday party we went to Mass at the adjoining Catholic Church where Julia was welcomed into the parish. The party shifted again and we went back to Greg and Marianna's place where we had a couple of quiet drinks and a bit of a chat with greg and Marianna's extended family who are all both interesting and entertaining.
Sunday commenced with pancake breakfast with maple syrup. Yum Yum!!! Greg and Marianna are both committed Mountain Bikers (they each brought 2 bikes when they came to Australia in 2010) and their cycling team Arrow had a team meeting and ride planned for the morning. It was also the morning when the team uniforms were handed out they were all looking very professional when we took this photo.
Unfortunately the cycling weather gods weren't on their side and when a thunderstorm joined the very heavy rain the ride was cancelled! Don't know whether Lance Armstrong would have cancelled a ride but then Lance is a bit special, isn't he?
As Easter wasn't too far away and we were in a house full of children we had a bit of fun decorating eggs while the serious cycling talk was going on.
Another fun weekend!
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