Jamo's 50th

Jules, Tess and I headed to Hobart in Tasmania to celebrate Michael's 50th birthday.  Julia has been organising the weekend for just under a year and we were all amazed that the kids managed to keep it a secret.  He was genuinely surprised when he walked into the whiskey distillery in Hobart and found 40 family members and friends sitting there.  Julia had booked out Ratho farm which was a 45 minute drive from Hobart and simply gorgeous.  We stayed in converted farmers cottages and had our meals up at the main farm house.

Saturday was a free day so the Mennie's and us headed into Hobart to look round the Salamanca Markets.  We got there at about 11am which I think was a little late as it was impossible to move around or stop due to the crowds.  We then headed to Stefano Lubiana home to our favourite Pinot Noir which the Mennies, Jamiesons and McPhersons discovered during a long weekend in Bowral 10 years ago.  We remember buying the local Dan Murphys out of it's entire stock and it's been a favourite ever since.  Lisa and I took the 6 kids to a local wildlife sanctuary whilst Julia took the big boys to a local distillery.  You could be forgiven for thinking that Lisa and I drew the short straw but we were absolutely thrilled to see 2 baby wombats and a 3-legged echidna.  

At Stefano Lubiana

Tess, Hunter, Fletcher, Darcy

Baby wombats!!

Feeding the roos

In the evening we had a lovely meal followed by some serious karaoke by Michael and one of his brothers.  Jules was very taken with the karaoke and has declared a karaoke machine a priority purchase!  

 The Jamos

 All the children at the 50th

Pete and Michael with the karaoke machine - apparently ours needs to have lights too

Whilst we were gallivanting around Tasmania Tom was at a national water polo competition in Wagga Wagga.  He had a fantastic time with his team which includes 2 of his great mates Harry and Conner and they did very well coming 2nd in the competition.  The picture and caption below were posted in the local rag - we're not sure face palming is allowed...

Tom is the boy in blue