Mum Turns 85

I am so lucky to still have my mother.  She comes from strong, solid stock, what there are/were of them tend to live well into old age.  Her mother was born in London, England, and came to Australia in the early 20s to join my grandf
ather who was a Merchant Marine who jumped ship in Sydney to escape something or other back in the UK, we're not sure what.  Gran already had a child, my Aunty Dot who is now 96, her father by all accounts was a soldier who died in WW1.
My grandfather, David, had a bit of a shady past, I wish I'd known him, but he died in the mid fifties, before I was born.
Mum is a difficult character, she has a very cold streak which has become more pronounced with age.  My sisters, who live closer to her than I do, visit her often and do a lot for her, especially my oldest sister, Julie. 
Mothers and daughters, such a complicated relationship.  I wonder do we expect too much of each other? 
I love my Mum, and there are times when I see the love that she had for me when I was little, surface, and I will take that. 

Mum and Dad at some beach.  Nice cossie Mum!

WTF?  Were they frozen in time?  Mum and Dad about 30 years later.  Nice frock Mum!

Here we are at Coogee Beach (I think) sans Julie who took the photo.  That's me in the fetching bonnet.

And here we are again at my poxy wedding in 1978.

I couldn't find any photos of Mum on her own, or of her and me. 

Happy Birthday Mummy.

And my cat is in labour.  Anyone want a kitten?