Oz – week one continued again

this should have been 33 but who cares they will all be there.

So where was i? somewhere in the southern hemisphere doing lots of ordinary things in a different environment. As with all branches of any family it’s different strokes for different folks. That being the case I decided that (while being taken to the shop “Big W” or was it Woolworth? It may have been Coles! Whichever1! All I know is that when shopping was done, we go to yet another coffee shop called “the Patisserie” where they sell guess what? You got it cream with a cake topping (that is not an error on behalf of the writer - gospel). I’m learning the art of Ausie small talk, yeah you’ve guessed it yet again – shopping, cricket - home and away – cricket – surfing – cricket - marsupials – cricket ….. no - I am kidding, although those of you in the know at home will know, that the Aussies had two major victories with the willow and leather last week - the men team had a resounding success against Sri Lanka. But the women did even better (a matter of opinion – I reckon they was paid off) they had a complete whitewash in the Ladies equivalent and also known as “the Ashes” against our team – the first time ever. If you want a lesson in being super smug listen to the Aussie’s captain – don’t remember her – don’t want to!. Who’s a bad loser then. 

I’m quite getting into the Aussie shops, with the most popular being Kmart. They sell everything there (grandmas @ $25 for six) kitchen sinks are also a bargain at next to nothing – which is also available in the next isle in 20 kilo drums. Think about it!

With the afternoon temperatures in the low to mid-thirties there is nothing to do out-doors unless you are absolutely covered in factor 50+ sun cream and even then, you need to apply to all exposed areas at least every two hours. Put on a tee shirt to protect your upper arms, a cardigan or pullover for the lower arms, trousers where the whole thing began to protect your legs and don’t forget the socks to prevent the top of your feet burning, finally gloves to stop sun attack on the delicate part of your wrists and fingers. So, I hear you declare (back to cricket) what’s the point of putting on the sun cream? B..,,,,d if I know!, but GD2 having taken all the above precautions came home from the beach shoulders burnt when she went swimming to cool off.  On a serious note – skin cancer is the dominant killer in Australia and for one TW is taking the advice to heart.

I’ve been on a walk to the local supermarket to purchase some delights to make a cheesecake. You wouldn’t believe it but they have the same products (almost) as at home – you know – digestive biscuits - butter - cream cheese – mascarpone cheese – double cream – lemons – but get this for an alternative to your regular blueberries – papaya and passionfruit. So, TW made them a cheesecake –totally unlike the shop bought gelatine-based jobbies, and much desired.

Technically we’re in week 2 now and I’ve decided to give the family and partners a special treat, an item that is on my bucket list along with the Dish. Just a quick huge and enormous thank you to D2 and SIL1 for taking me to see the Dish and for the whole weekend I hadn’t been as excited as I was then for many a year, only to find they were arranging for a trip to Canberra – the nation’s capital.

Why? There’s a short story to be told about this trip which all begins back in Nuneaton and thanks to the chair (Lyn) of the Nuneaton Flower Guild where the whole thing and idea began.

As chair of the NFG for nearly 12 years, Lyn often spoke with the Guilds’ president, who had held the office almost since it’s conception over 50 years at the time. Lyn became friendly with the president, and they often chatted on the phone primarily about the flower arranging world and in particular the Guild. One day during one of these calls, the president – Lady Rose Daventry – asked if Lyn would like to have afternoon tea, and if so would Lyn invite another stalwart of the Guild - I’ll call her Betty – to join them.  Betty was the second love of my life – if I had been 25 years older?!?! She was a fabulous lady of the older generation – sharp as a razor and half the size – she was a flirt and very quick with repartee. Lyn of course adored her as much as I did and was delighted to ask.  These afternoon get togethers became fairly frequent with Lady Rose ringing home and asking for Lyn. She soon became used to me answering the phone, found out my name and ring up, introducing herself “hello Alan, it’s Rose – is Lyn about?” to which I stammered my reply in the positive, hand the phone across and go away trembling. After answering her calls a few occasions, I was invited to join this amazing trio (as the token male) for the next tea. WOW!!

So we went up to the stately abode on the arranged afternoon and were served tea and cake whilst listening to these two ladies (no pun intended) reminisce about the old days. Well, during one of the visits I was sitting on the edge of the group, eyes wandering around the room, finally settling on a large photograph, unframed, half hidden behind a cabinet I think, which so startled me I had to look twice.  The background to the photo was the steps leading from the white frontage of the old parliament building in Canberra, NSW, Australia.

There were four people in the photo and plucking up my courage, I asked Lady Rose about the scene.  She explained that the picture showed herself on the viewers right, next to her was a middle aged gent who turned out to be her father, Lieutenant-General the 1st Baron Norrie, GCMG, GCVO, CB, DSO, MC, sometime Governor of South Australia, and Governor and Commander-in-Chief of New Zealand, who was talking to one of his guests.  I’d like to think the conversation went something like this.

HC. “Have you enjoyed your visit, mam?”

Guest 1. “Oh very much, what are your thoughts dear?”

Guest 2.  “good, shame we couldn’t get a chance to see more wildlife”

Guest 1 “ I agree but we are on a very tight schedule, (turning to guest 2) aren’t we Philip, so much so that we will  have to say our goodbyes here, hurry back to the yacht, because the next leg of our tour starts tomorrow!”