Happy three weeks later everyone. I write to you now on the tail end of what has been a whirlwind of meeting extended family and regional travel in Southern Victoria. It's hard to recount, let alone comprehend, how many people I've met and visited here in Melbourne area in the past 3 weeks, but I'll try. When I last wrote I had just arrived and been graciously taken in for a couple nights by Marian, Peter and Matthew. After a couple days visit, Marian took me to the home of Cyril and Monica, her parents and also my mother's aunt and uncle. Cyril and Monica moved to Australia in the 1950's from Scotland, and had 9 children. It was lovely to meet them, as Mom has been so fond of them over the years.
Along with Patsy (another of Mom's cousin's) and her daughter Shauna (19), we all had lunch together and visited for a couple of hours. Then, Patsy drove Shauna and me back to their home about thirty minutes away where I met her two other children Jenae(13) and Cameron(16). After about hour's visit Patsy drove me to the home of Tess (another cousin) and her husband Ron.
After 4 nights, the next day it was back to Cyril and Monica's. On the way we stopped by for a visit with Rosie (another cousin of Mom's). Rosie delighted me with her surprising quick wit and dry sense of humor. Back to Grand Central, where I was greeted and picked up by Monica (another cousin, not to be confused with her own mother). Monica took me back to her home where I met husband Chris, and sons Michael, Simon and . . . Stayed a couple of nights there. Monica and Simon and I went down to Portsea for a nice day out at the coast and lunch. Later that night Michael took me out with his mates, and we had a few beers and some good laughs.
The next day, Michael took me back to Grand Central where I was greeted by Bernard and Anne. I drove with them 3 hours to their home in a charming seaside town called Warrnambool. Over the next 4 days I relaxed, worked somewhat obsessively on a 1000 piece puzzle, went for a bike ride, went to the beach with Anne, and befriend their dogie Pip. Bernie extended a special invitation to be a part of his Pudding Club - a regal group of men who gather monthly to share in food, drink and proper English pudding. As Bernie was hosting this months gathering, the invitation was somewhat obligatory. Thanks for the honor Bernie. On my last day (last Friday) Bernie was kind enough to take me on a tour of the Great Ocean Road, the world famous stretch of coast with stunning cliffs, beautiful water and scenic stacks of eroded cliff face. Most notable of all of them are the 12 Apostles, which by our count, are now down to 10. Bernie and Anne have two daughters Sarah (19), who I met for about 10 minutes, and Clare (21), who I didn't meet . . .
Deep. Breath. . .
Along with Patsy (another of Mom's cousin's) and her daughter Shauna (19), we all had lunch together and visited for a couple of hours. Then, Patsy drove Shauna and me back to their home about thirty minutes away where I met her two other children Jenae(13) and Cameron(16). After about hour's visit Patsy drove me to the home of Tess (another cousin) and her husband Ron.Tess and Ron graciously welcomed me for the next three nights. They have 5 children, 4 of which are living at home - Monique(22), Jerry(20), and the twin boys Simon and Shane(14). We went for a hike one day and Jerry and Monique took me for a stroll at an annual festival in Melbourne the other. Ron spent some time helping my hone my Australian Rules Football knowledge, and the twins did their best to guard me in basketball. Sorry guys, next time you'll be taller and surely will dominate! After my visit there, Tess drove me back to Cyril and Monica's (Grand Central as I would come to know it) where I was greeted by Pauline (another cousin) and her husband Carl. Pauline and Carl took me along the Eastern Bay for a nice day trip to the water and lunch. We arrived back at their home where I met their two sons David(19) and Justin(17). For the next three days I relaxed, watched a ton of movies on their new and huge hi-def TV and surround sound system, went for a long bike ride with Justin, visited the Melbourne aquarium with Pauline, and went for a cousin's night out with David. Carl also took delivery of his new BMW, which sadly we couldn't take for a spin because it wasn't yet registered. Pauline took me for an hours visit with Clare (another cousin of Mom's) and her family - Ross (husband) and three kids Tess (), () and ().
After 4 nights, the next day it was back to Cyril and Monica's. On the way we stopped by for a visit with Rosie (another cousin of Mom's). Rosie delighted me with her surprising quick wit and dry sense of humor. Back to Grand Central, where I was greeted and picked up by Monica (another cousin, not to be confused with her own mother). Monica took me back to her home where I met husband Chris, and sons Michael, Simon and . . . Stayed a couple of nights there. Monica and Simon and I went down to Portsea for a nice day out at the coast and lunch. Later that night Michael took me out with his mates, and we had a few beers and some good laughs. The next day, Michael took me back to Grand Central where I was greeted by Bernard and Anne. I drove with them 3 hours to their home in a charming seaside town called Warrnambool. Over the next 4 days I relaxed, worked somewhat obsessively on a 1000 piece puzzle, went for a bike ride, went to the beach with Anne, and befriend their dogie Pip. Bernie extended a special invitation to be a part of his Pudding Club - a regal group of men who gather monthly to share in food, drink and proper English pudding. As Bernie was hosting this months gathering, the invitation was somewhat obligatory. Thanks for the honor Bernie. On my last day (last Friday) Bernie was kind enough to take me on a tour of the Great Ocean Road, the world famous stretch of coast with stunning cliffs, beautiful water and scenic stacks of eroded cliff face. Most notable of all of them are the 12 Apostles, which by our count, are now down to 10. Bernie and Anne have two daughters Sarah (19), who I met for about 10 minutes, and Clare (21), who I didn't meet . . .Deep. Breath. . .It's hard to comprehend what a whirlwind of visiting it's been. Everyone was amazingly gracious, accommodating, kind and good spirited. Many thanks to all of you, Drew family, to extending yourselves to me as you have. You will always have a place to stay and a willing guide when you come to California.
Last Friday evening I took a bus to a town called Mount Gambier, and enjoyed a hotel room to myself. Mount Gambier is know for it's Blue Lake, which quite literally is the bluest body of water I've ever seen. Absolutely beautiful. Later in the day on Saturday, I met up with my German friend Andrea, who I met earlier on my travels in Fiji. Andrea is a wine maker and works at a winery in the South Australian wine region. She rented a car and we drove a couple hours to the charming and quaint seaside town of Robe. We stayed at a hostel which was more like the wing of an old manor. Massive rooms, high ceilings. The next day Robe was cold, windy and overcast - not much of a day at the beach. So we drove back to wine country, stopping in Naracoorte for a visit to the world heritage site Naracoorte caves. This place offers visitors the option of wearing full on caving gear, and going with a guide, crawling through tiny spaces with headlamps. We took the tamer route and went in the larger caves - which were still quite beautiful.
Back to the winery where I sampled - OK, more like downed half a bottle - of sparkling red. Who knew? After a couple of bottles of sparkling sitting on the grass overlooking horses and the vineyards, we dozed off to sleep. The next morning Andrea gave me a tour of the winery and taught me a bit about the wine making process. Then, she drove me 45 minutes to the nearest train station in a town called Bordertown.
Andrea left to get back to work, with me on the phone to the trainline company trying to assure myself a seat as the station was empty and virtually boarded up and abandoned -the train due to arrive in 20 minutes. Initially they told me the train wouldn't stop in Bordertown, even though it was on their schedule. I begged, I pleaded. No dice. But then, on the posted schedule of the Overlander (the line from Adelaide to Melbourne) was the direct mobile number of the train operator on board. I called her. She said, "no we're not stopping there, but let me see what I can do ". . . disconnected. Call back - voicemail. Call back again - voicemail. Left a message and also all my hope of catching this train. Not catching it would have meant more buses, another overnight stay in the region, and general dissatisfaction. On the phone now with a bus company, I get a call back from the train operator. "We'll be making a brief stop to pick you up. Be there in 5 -10 minutes." Just like in life, it's only when you let go completely does what you need show up. That, or I have the power the stop a moving train! Guess it depends on what mood I'm in when I tell the story in the future. Can you imagine being able to call, say, an airplane, and say "I know you're scheduled to fly directly to New York, but would you mind stopping in Cleveland to pick me up on the way?" . . .
After a pleasant 7 hour train ride, I was back in Melbourne. Carl, who happened to be in the city working that day, picked me up. And true to my hopes, I went for a spin back home in his new BMW. So here I am now - the whirlwind of family tour almost over. Tomorrow I leave for Canberra for a couple of days to visit some friends from traveling, and then up to Sydney. On April 6 I leave Australia for Bali! At about the half-way mark, the adventure continues.
Probably one more entry from Sydney, and then it's Southeast Asia! Great to have been in touch with those of you who've read and responded to my blog along the way. Definitely helps to make the world feel smaller. Until next time.
:-)
The remainder of that day and the next was just spent relaxing, having a beer, and getting to know some of the other travelers. I returned to Cairns last Monday evening, stoked for trip to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef the next day.
