Second Helpings

We felt a little like a couple of Hobbits, but instead of Second Breakfast, it was a case of Second Birthday Celebrations.  My brother in Sydney had planned a surprise dinner and overnight accommodation for us here in Brisbane to celebrate Mr Fudge's Big Oh birthday last weekend, but our daughter had already made similar arrangements, so he organised for us to have an extra treat this Friday.  We have such a lovely family!

It was in the hotel room the next morning that a shadow shot presented itself as I settled down with my first coffee of the day and the weekend newspaper.  You can see some remarkable shadow images at Hey Harriet's Shadow Shot Sunday.

Tony and I were among the guests at the official opening of the Hilton way back in  the 1980s and we have always had a soft spot for this iconic hotel.  My brother had booked us into a room on the 20th floor and the only way up was in the glass elevators. 

We did our High Anxiety impersonations, plastered against the back wall. 

I wonder if the patrons way down there in the Atrium Restaurant realise what imminent danger they are in from falling cameras?  Cleverly, we asked for a table under that big chunk of granite when it came time to dine. 

We felt like movie stars.  We had gone from Lord of the Rings, through High Anxiety and straight into Room With a View.  This is what greeted us from our hotel room the next morning.  It wasn't until I downloaded the images that I realised that the reflection in the building on the right is of St Stephen's Chapel, the oldest church in Brisbane, and where our son and daughter-in-law were married.

So thanks to the love and generosity of members of our family, we have had two of the most delightful mini get-aways in our own beautiful city.  Who says reaching milestones isn't fun?  And what are we going to do next weekend?  We're fast running out of hotels.