Meeting Tom and Claire in Middle Brighton, and Lottie in Ocean Grove

/

It was magical driving up to the Baths on Monday and seeing Tom and Claire sitting on the wall, with grins from ear to ear. They look so well! We had bear hugs and kisses. Tom and Claire have been in Melbourne since July and are hoping to travel and work for a year….they are obviously happy. So good to see that.

Their boss (Chef) Paul invited us to eat in the restaurant, his treat. Wow, what a treat it was! We had impeccable service, Champagne aperitif and the fine food was sensational.  Three hours and lots of tales later we headed off to Ocean Grove to collect Lottie from work and then to Claire and Lottie’s home, in Barwon Heads. Lottie as lovely as ever, so mature and sociable. AND a beauty too! Claire=proud. So good to see you Lottie!

Tuesday was Melbourne Cup Day. This national holiday causes much excitement in Australia and gambling on the horses is a widely accepted norm. We were invited chez Nields, and arrived around 2pm armed with plenty of fiz and some antipasto. We had breakfasted earlier en masse at the Beachouse, delicious. More catch up time with Tom and Claire. The Nield ‘Cup’ party soon got going as their fabulous friends arrived.  Their luxurious family home is the perfect venue for such occasions, we spent time watching the races (well not me), chatting, wandering outside to observe the acrobatics (!!) and we ate BBQ’d sausages and bread lovely made by Andy and Claire.  The evening was memorable, we saw Robyn Booth (after 16 years!) and we enjoyed an hour or two in the luxurious spa! We all had a blast. It certainly was a night to remember! Wednesday was big walk day with Stanley and a snack at the Heads, then a big chillout. Necessary to recover from the horse race day! Oh….nearly forgot. Lottie camping out tonight. What’s occurring!

Img_8734
Img_8695 Img_8702 Img_8759 Img_8773 Img_8801 Img_8862 Img_8921

See the full gallery on Posterous

 

Meeting with the Nields in Lakes Entrance

/

Lakes Entrance  (a fishing and tourist town) in Victoria was the next stop on Friday 28th October to meet up with Clare, Andy, Leah and Marcus Neild, and Marcus’ friend Mitch.

We arrived to soaring temperatures and retreated to a bar for a welcomed ice-cold beer. A rest and some reading on a bench overlooking the water that hosted the famous black swans and pelicans helped to keep us occupied until the special family arrived. Great reunion when they did! Lots of hugs and kisses and great big grins…a few drinks whist excitedly making plans for next two days. A poor weather forcast wasn’t going to get in our way…Clare had come armed with an array of games.

Early walk on Saturday morning to a coffee shop, without children. great catch up. Then Andy cooked us bacon and eggs Oz style on an outdoor BBQ. Loved it!

Victoria is in a frenzy of excitement as Melbourne Cup date advances and bobbing jockeys were on all screens when we visited a pub in the afternoon in Metung to shelter from the downpour. We felt sure this beautiful holiday resort would’ve looked better in the sunshine. Great tapas later and then back to the ranch for games. Apparently we are rowdy! We played Gestures though there were some (males) that later admitted to cheating (it was PB’s idea as usual!) Well played girls! It wasn’t PB’s turn to do handstands later. Impressive Andy!

Sunday a better day, we were up early and off out walking again to view the lakes from above, Claire G had developed a sore throat so needed to sleep on. Later we played mini-golf in the semi sunshine, on a great course! A few displayed unleashed talent in the sport! Miriam’s restaurant was the venue for the evening meal and what an amazing choice! Spectacularly delicious menu. BYO wine meant we could use up prior purchases and relax. Great night!

270px-lakes_entrance_pano
Img_8570 Img_8587 Img_8602 Img_8623 Img_8638

See the full gallery on Posterous

Off to Brighton on Melbourne now to meet Tom and Claire, and to eat (again) in the restaurant where they work….can’t wait to see them! 

 

Breastfeeding in public in Australia

/

Img_8168

So refreshing see the normal activity of breastfeeding babies in public totally acceptable here. This family enjoyed their meal together outside a cafe in Husskison, and baby Brookejoined in too! And why not?

I asked the family if I could take a photograph to send to Anna and Sue who could then use it to support and protect breastfeeding in the UK. We all had a lovely chat about the Australian breastfeeding culture. Most units work towards the BFI standards, which I learnt was part funded by the Australian College of Midwives! Hurray!

 

A visit to Hicksville.....

/

Narooma good for golfing, surfing, boating, whale and dolphin watching and eating! Another fabulous cabin to stay in almost on the beach.  Spot on Claire!! Breathtaking views whilst partaking in aperitifs. A sleep on the slopey grass area disturbed by Mrs Butler and her class of young children, interesting to hear her reasoning! Thursday morning up at 6.30 and walking on the beach by 7. A scrumptiously amazing breakfast chez Michael…Eggs Benedict just the job (for PB).

Rolling hills, luscious green carpet of grass just like the Ribble Valley, but with the added bonus of sea at it’s edges!!!  Central Tilba next stop for a spot of gold mining! Such an interesting heritage town, perfect example of Hicksville! AND another Take 5….wow! (First one posted here Lil!). Fabulous male candle maker told us the importance of the cheese and inhabitance of the 'city'.

Next stop Pambula for a spot of lunch with the surfers, then check in at tonight’s cabin in Merinbula Yahoo! Another residence with a briny view...

Sat now listening to the sea with a G&T…. oh, I nearly forgot…..the quiz.

Img_8495 Img_8533 Img_8543 Img_8544

See the full gallery on Posterous

 

Take 5 in Ulladulla

/

 

Img_8345

Tuesday. Raining this morning! Down the coast we went calling in at the trendy Rick Stein at Bannisters  near Mollymook for coffee.  Good stuff.  Our holiday residence for the night was in Ulladulla; a quirky harbour town with quaint shops. Today was the day we bought a quiz mag ‘Take 5’…think England’s equivalent of Take a Break!! Aaargh! This highly unusual purchase happened on the recommendation of Lil….we went full on into the competitions Lil! What a great laugh. What’s occurring Claire? Thanks G for PB; at least he could do the number ones.  During a short stroll we caught glimpse of the parrots and Kookaburra. Paul and I visually feasted (as newcomers to the land do) on the brilliantly vibrant colours of these tropical birds feeding from red bottle brush plants, and the way the Kookaburra plumped up it’s feathers as I moved in to catch a photo opportunity.  So far, the mosquito bites are the only thing vaguely annoying in this beautiful county.  

On the road again on Wednesday morning to Narooma. Great stop off for coffee fix @ Bodalla's

By the way....quizzes almost finished!

 

The Whale

/

Img_8320

Agreement was made to sail into the ocean at 12 midday on a whale watching tour.  The boat with the three of us and about 40 more drove speedily to where the mammals were resting on their migration to the south. They were ‘logging’ which means lounging around with their humps visible. We saw various pairs of mother-infant dyads, playing, blowing and jumping. Utterly amazing. Claire and I propped each other up at one point as the distance between these enormous, graceful creatures became smaller.  Love this. Cloudy Bay bubbles, iced Hahn beer and antipasto seemed so perfect on both nights. Catching up needs sustenance!

 

 

Jervis Bay

/

Husskison. We arrived on Saturday morning.  The first beach I caught a glimpse of made me verbally sigh. This is Australia at it’s best and the nearest thing to heaven. We walked on white sand and felt the powder slip through our hot toes….all to the sound of gentle waves and birdsong. We found our pre-booked cabin….literally on the doorstep of  the Pacific. Wow.

Img_8166
Img_8147

At 7.30 on Sunday morning I heard Claire’s footsteps in the kitchen.  By 8am we were in the already sundrenched ocean, where water wrapped our sleepy bodies with a refreshing chill.  The sunrise was like an inverted pyramid andshimmered on the surface of the sea. Almost touching us….and we swam towards it’s peak even though PB was alerting is to the potential shark attack!  After a delicious home made (semi-healthy!) breakfast we set off for Hyam’s famous beach….voted as one of the top five in Oz. It was breathtaking. We bathed again, and walked and rested in the morning sun.  

 

Lots to think about...

/

Img_7771

We left Sydney today. Sydney the wonderful cosmepolitan city, vibrant and modern yet set in ahistorical backdrop with stunningly beautiful architecture. Down the coast we drove passing through the Royal National Park to Kiama...a picturesque seaside town with palm trees, green cricket lawns, and white boats bobbing in the sea. The warm sun helped us to enjoy the pink champagne in Sebel bar, listening to a string quartet that were fortunately playing in the garden overlooking our seats....playing for the newly married couple and their guests. As we walked round the bay under the influence of a glass or two, I thought about how different life is here, in the Antipodes. The children seem to have more space, the adults more time. Lovely Claire is so organised and full of fun; as always a pleasure to be with. We are far away from home, but it feels like home because she is with us. Lil and Gearge have left us now, after lovingly caring for us and showing us the wonderful sites. What will tomorrow bring?

Img_7964

The Grand Mosque Abu Dabhi

/

 

Photo

We arrived in Abu Dhabi late on Thursday night. What a welcome from Grace and Rob.  It was even warmer than the Middle Eastern atmosphere that engulfed our bodies as we disembarked the Etihad aircraft.  Their life in this city is obviously blissful and their home in the suburbs a true sanctuary. One of the most incredible revelations was that they never EVER need to lock their house door, and car keys could be left in an unlocked car. Crime is not tolerated it’s true, but the underpinning philosophy of the locals is that they wouldn’t take anything that that didn’t belong to them! Amazing.

 The visit to this Mosque was mind blowing. A spiritual experience. An education.  My limited knowledge of Islam derived from working as a community midwife in Blackburn meant that I was pleasantly surprised to be allowed in the place of worship. As a female and a Christian, admittance would normally be prohibited.  A pre-requisite was that we wore robes, Robin and Paul wore white, and Grace and I black (hijab)….with head cover too.  We adorned the clothes in the intense heat, and made our way wide-eyed through the lavish golden temple.  When questioned by another, the guide gave an interesting rationale of why women couldn’t pray at the Mosque, with a perfectly planned positive spin. My cynical feminist spirit was aroused many times during our stay in AD.  But I could not fail to admire the peace and perceived safety of being there.

Img_7692