75
Too many people to mention, but today, Sam, Jonathan and Kane with all the guys at Apollo truly turned on ‘Apollo’s Feast’ for all 75 of us.
More photos and comments will come in a day or two (if you’re not totally over my being 75 by then!)
CLICK HERE to see Photo Album
Friend Gerhard went all out to transform Apollo for the 75th without detracting from the simplicity of the restaurant. Olive trees, lemons, pomegranates, artichokes and other vegetables formed the main display, with bay and rosemary wreaths made for the walls. Thanks Gerhard for a great ‘installation’. (And thank you to Robyn for ‘pruning’ her lemon trees and bringing the laden branches.)
Great having my immediate family from Queensland come down for the celebration.
eldest brother, Tony and Ruth
Sister Anne and Trev, and
younger brother, Mark and Jenny
Mixologist Jess of Cho Cho San experimented for a long time to introduce a ‘Greek’ touch and to get the right balance for his specially formulated ’75th Birthday’ cocktail..
The base of his concoction is Mastiha liqueur from the small Greek island of Chios. The drink is a Mediterranean tradition that dates back to the ancient world. Jess made the fennel syrup to add to the woody spicy Mastiha spirit, added Apricot Brandy, and the right measure of coffee – and served it over a large block of ice, decorated with a sprig of blooming rosemary and a baby viola.
Good to gather the old AMEX Australia crew from the 70s and 80s:
Juanita, Alan, Vic, Pam, Michael, Des, Ray, and the whole Whelan family.
Musgrave blood coursing through the veins of nephew Bill, brother Tony, Cousin Jennifer, cousin Ann, cousin Julie, cousin Cookie, sister Anne, and brother Mark – and down to the next generation, my grand nephew Jude.
The ‘planned’ 3-minute speeches segment,
and the singing of the requisite ‘Happy Birthday to you’,
was somewhat extended thanks to the ‘Eddy’ email from London, and
the surprise arrival of the Mariachis blasting into the restaurant
as arranged by Miami friends Edmundo, Naser and Michael Iñesta.
And the Mariachis blasted in.