Well I was going to title this thread ‘Happy Birthday’ but that is not quite accurate. It was ten years ago this week that we ‘adopted’ Betty. We are unsure of her exact birth date in Bologna but it has now been 10 years since we brought her home with us.
When we brought her home it had been approximately three years since we adopted our first Ducati as the Boss had already fulfilled a maternal yearning bringing Jukie into our home. But this was to be my first, quite a responsibility for a first time Dad. Ultimately … and probably like most ‘families’ … most of the care of the children would fall to their mother. But … and possibly like most fathers … my time is spent enjoying the kids company on the weekends.
In the ten years we have been fortunate enough to enjoy:
• Family holidays
• Weekends away
• Trips out into the countryside
• Gatherings with other adopting families who share a common bond
We have bought them gifts (mostly from foreign shores) but often with a link back to their birthplace. To share in the cultural background of our ‘children’ we have even ventured to their homeland, visited their birthplace (it nearly killed one of us) and participated in the festivities held in honour of them and their relatives.
But also they have brought us to this place … some sort of sado-masochist support group. Here we have shared friendships and met all manner of people local, interstate and international … mostly quirky and sometimes weird.
Thanks Betty (and of course the Boss for her support) for these first 10 years.
When we first brought our new baby home back in 2005:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/11632809586_9bb19031a6_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/11632425914_f08ff36c08_b.jpg)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/11632037055_1dd6a367d0_b.jpg)
And some more recent photos … she hasn’t changed a bit, yet somehow seems more beautiful as she ages:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/11632291203_8c2eaee67f_b.jpg)
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/11632445914_29a6d4b845_b.jpg)
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/11632294353_807bdc0450_b.jpg)
Ohhh our baby girl is all grown up and she is looking very sexy [thumbsup]
Now, when is the party ?
Barby ?
Happy birthday Betty! [beer] [Dolph] [drink]
Its hard to believe it been 10 years and she still looks like a modern bike! [thumbsup]
My new (old) girl is 10 this year too.
Looking at the new monster in Frasers last week still confirms my respect for the original shape. The new ones just look too generic like a Jap bike.
I will make sure I crack a beer this afternoon in celebration for Betty! [beer] [beer] [beer] [puke]
Quote from: Brian W on July 10, 2015, 05:42:25 AM
Now, when is the party ?
Barby ?
Breakfast BBQ please
Paul can borrow the pink hot pants again .
Quote from: Betty on July 10, 2015, 04:28:11 AM
.....and met all manner of people local, interstate and international … mostly quirky and sometimes weird.
.........
Cheers [beer]
Quote from: Brian W on July 10, 2015, 05:42:25 AM
Now, when is the party ?
Barby ?
Quote from: Two dogs on July 10, 2015, 05:05:34 PM
Breakfast BBQ please
Paul can borrow the pink hot pants again .
You guys are asking the wrong person ... isn't it too cold for a breakfast run?
Quote from: DUCMONROB on July 10, 2015, 03:38:34 PM
Happy birthday Betty! [beer] [Dolph] [drink]
Its hard to believe it been 10 years and she still looks like a modern bike! [thumbsup]
My new (old) girl is 10 this year too.
Looking at the new monster in Frasers last week still confirms my respect for the original shape. The new ones just look too generic like a Jap bike.
I will make sure I crack a beer this afternoon in celebration for Betty! [beer] [beer] [beer] [puke]
Thanks Rob.
Quote from: stopintime on July 10, 2015, 05:26:16 PM
Cheers [beer]
... and you big fella would fall into the quirky category ... a Norwegian riding down to Italy to do a track session in 40+ degrees heat and meet some weird Aussies ... seems a bit quirky
Hippy birthday Betty,growing old.The Boss don't ave any set location?
Quote from: Jukie on July 10, 2015, 04:34:18 AM
Ohhh our baby girl is all grown up and she is looking very sexy [thumbsup]
Can I take her out [evil]
Only if you have insurance and you bring here back in one piece Paul.Also Paul check your pms
lookin gooood!
hope there is plenty more years for ya's...
and, 20 years of ownership this month for the dirty ol' monsta as well! :)
Quote from: monsta on July 14, 2015, 05:16:06 PM
and, 20 years of ownership this month for the dirty ol' monsta as well! :)
Congratulations!
And cheers from this olde fart... [beer]
Now what category do I fit into... [roll]
Geoff... [coffee]
btw I'm now monsterless but have made another guy VERY HAPPY... [bow_down]
Happy birthday Betty :-* :-* :-*
Can't wait for the party [coffee] [coffee] [bacon] [bacon]
Hey Mark the lawn has improved as well in the last 10 years. [roll]
Cheers Sir Rob.
Quote from: geoffduc on July 15, 2015, 10:04:43 PM
And cheers from this olde fart... [beer]
Now what category do I fit into... [roll]
Geoff... [coffee]
btw I'm now monsterless but have made another guy VERY HAPPY... [bow_down]
I think your category would be, the nice, wise man who runs away from Aussie girls :-*
Quote from: Sir Rob s on July 17, 2015, 12:36:52 AM
Hey Mark the lawn has improved as well in the last 10 years. [roll]
I thought the same when I saw the photos side by side. But the 'more recent photos' were taken before the Central Coast Cyclone a couple of months ago ... the yard hasn't been the same since.