Philip Island Revisited

This mid week trip was not quite as we planned.

The plan was to hire two cottages side by side. One for us and one for Mum and Dad and go and do the touristy things like the Penguin Parade which the island is famous for.

Without Mum and Dad though we didn't see the point of doing all that stuff again and we nearly cancelled the trip altogether.

However, Hubster has had a very hectic work schedule of late and we decided the break would do us both the world of good.

It did not stop us however exclaiming at every turn that "oooh mum and dad would have loved this, that and the other!" It still felt a little sad they were not there.

The cottage was lovely, all things catered for and a sweet little court yard garden to boot.

The day we arrived it was a blistering 38 degrees but then the cool change came in over night and we enjoyed more moderate mid 20's.

Perfect for walking - lots of it too.

Barely saw another soul. Just as we like it.

Instead we enjoyed the company of mutton birds, shearwaters, wallabies and oh yes a red bellied black snake. (never get complacent, this is Australia)

We climbed high along the cliff tops and tramped low through the forests, wetlands and mangroves.

We covered some kilometres and with each step perspective returned and recent worries were put behind us to float away on the wind.

 

At the end of the day, with muscles tired enough to know we had used them, we sipped a glass together, mused, chuckled and chilled and made the very most of our time together.

Because that's what we do.


 

Above par!

 

 

When Hubster suggested we pop up to his golf club to watch some amateurs in a competition, it was one of those situations where I thought, "ok I'll do this for you and suck it up".

Hubster is generally known for his lack of verbal detail with most things really.

We pitched up at Riversdale golf club and it is indeed extremely beautiful. Cedars, gum trees, pines and lakes teeming with birdlife.

Hubster failed to say that we were about to watch the Australian Open Amateur Golf Championship, "as what is also televised!"

It was very hot (again) today but if you are well armed here you will be ok.

Hat, umbrella for shade, sun block, water, sensible footwear.

Bobs your uncle.

We had a lovely lunch first in the clubhouse and then pootled out onto the course and followed the lead group of 4.  The cedars provided wonderful shade between holes.

My goodness these young lads were good and kept their composure in the heat too.

I tried to keep well away from the camera but I am sure Hubster got in a few shots, only because he had to get as close to the action as etiquette would allow.

He was very enthusiastic about describing his course to me, the lie of the greens, the speed, the up and down and left to right. It was lovely to see his passion for his hobby.

Well I will eat my hat. Contrary to all expectations it was a lovely way to spend an afternoon, appreciate some new up and coming young talent and all in all, an above par day I'd say.



 

Hairdryer Day

We have had consistently high temps in the 30's now for whats seems like weeks on end. Across the whole of Australia it is the hottest Summer ever recorded.

This is the Australia that many Brits relate to and certainly I know I did but it really isn't the norm. We are now in Autumn and it is unusual to be clocking up these temperatures still.

So glad I managed to swerve Hubster from cycling to lunch today, it registered 38 degrees in the car and on top of that it is a hair dryer day.

You know those days back home when they say it is 10 degrees but with the wind chill factor it actually feels like 3 degrees?

Well if you reverse that idea and factor in the hot north winds blowing south from the out back desert and all of a sudden a mid 30's becomes quite unbearable. Just like standing beneath a very hot and relentless hairdryer.

It's one of those days today.

We personally seek the aircon but not the Aussies they seek the beach.

That's when I know we are not truly acclimatised, how can they do that?

Now a beautiful lunch with pink bubbles, oysters and Barramundi and aircon whilst watching the Aussies play on the beach? Now you're talking.

A symbolic lunch at Cerberus Beach House.

A toast to absent family.

A toast to the end of a traumatic time.

A toast to Hubster's first year in the job and his year end results.

A toast for being so blessed to have the chance to live the Aussie way of life.

 

Disappointed.com

The past week has seemed like the longest and certainly one of the most fraught.

We had all been looking forward so much to the arrival of our parents in law, Ce and Tam.

We had planned and plotted for months and were very excited at showing them and sharing with them our home and our life in Melbourne.

However, it wasn't meant to be.

Everyone is gutted, no-one more than our parents I am sure.

The journey is a gruelling one, even for the fully fit. I remember being totally wasted when I first arrived here.

You cannot get over just how long that trip is - until you do it.

Mum did her very, very best, that we know but the travel proved too much. We would never want any unnecessary risk and so it was best that she get better and return home.

On the positive, Mum is out of hospital and the careful process of getting her and Dad safely back to Hay on Wye will shortly begin.

Another positive, is that no matter where your life takes you, it is always good to see a family pull together in time of crisis.

Disappointed yes but also very proud of my family T-J.

Radish says follow the 3 r's Rest, Revive and Recuperate Mum. He really is the world champion at that.

 

I cannot lie

....we really are having the most beautiful Summer down under. The like of which I had long forgotten existed.

Friday night and when Hubster came home at 7.15pm it was still 27 degrees. At 7.45 the sea was still lovely and warm and plenty of people still in it.

I had prepared a supper of tail on king prawns, homemade marie-rose (with a good dash of Worcester sauce and tobasco, thats the secret), Thai Chicken skewers and a zingy, crispy Asian salad.

I threw in a couple of tins of non-alky beer. We are having a dry run at the mo.

Picnic, blanket, wet wipes and insect repellent all packed up in my basket, loaded on the front of my bike, ready for the off....oh and camera of course

It was a top idea on such a gorgeous night and a great way for Hubster to shrug off the working week.

We were rewarded with a beautiful sunset and a great picture of the Spirit of Tasmania ferry in silhouette at sun down.

What would a trip to the beach be without a Mr Softy 99? Some things have to be done.

I cannot lie, what isn't there to love about Summer in the Bay in Melbourne?

 

How will you say it?

 

Flowers? Chocolates? Champagne? A little extra loving?

Perhaps all of the above.

I fell in love with Hubster when I was a wee sapling of 22, some 20 odd years ago. I think he has got the message by now that I love him very much. I tell him every day and he does me.

It would seem silly for us, even comical, to suddenly make a big fuss on Valentines day.

True love manifests itself in the little acts of kindness and consideration, putting yourself out or doing something with them or for them because you know it will make them happy. Even when it's not your thing, especially when it's not your thing.

Listening, properly. Reading between the lines, picking up the body language and knowing when 'Yes' really means 'No'.

All that stuff and so much more.

Sometimes we do have a glass of bubbles together but not this year. We are signed up to Feb Fast for the next 2 weeks. We are doing the "half arsed" version, that is the Aussie terminology for it not ours, see the link above!

However, this year I have said it with Cheese cos I know he loves it. Especially this kind.

I found a little deli yesterday selling 'proper' imported French cheese, rarest of the rare. Yes it was an exorbitant price for the minutest amount but I know how he loves a bit of Beaufort and an oozy, buttery Brie from Breton.

Roses are red, Brie is creamy
Beaufort is nutty and so are you! (and me!)

 

Simplicity

Chores done.

Hubster is on the golf course, so enjoying some special time with my joy, my boy.

The lawn is verdant if not a little long but its cooling on our feet under the hot sun.

The sky is just beautiful today and the temperature is perfect.

We laze in the shade together savouring the exquisite laziness of it all whilst marvelling at the artistic spider's web.

I can't take my eyes off my boy, he is an angel with a furry coat and so very wise.

I feel peaceful and cheerful and oh so very blessed.

 

Mary

Mary was quite exhausted by the time I scooped her up at the airport and it was a relief to see her arrive safe and sound.

I was quite emotional, as ever it is always the friends and family you miss the most and just the thought of seeing Mary walk through those sliding doors into the arrivals hall was making me teary.

When you have guests you become a tourist yourself once more. Doing all the touristy things you wouldn't normally do.

The pace was genteel, impossible to cover everything, so we picked a few things and did them well and it was cherished and precious time, with plenty of stops for endless chats.

So much to catch up on.

Here are some of the beautiful scenes we shared during our 5 nights together.

 

 

Can you spot me?

 

 

 

With friends over time you cross the slopes of despair, you share trodden trails paved with tears, you share anger, fear and dismay but what you truly remember is the laughter and the good times you have shared.

 

............and the love. Love is all that matters. Truly.