Family Reunions

Wednesday, 23 September 2015

With Kevin and Norm

Us with Sandy, Kevin and Norm

Even the coffee had a swan

With Len

With Len and Dina

Monday dawned very cold and overcast and didn’t improve much at all during the day.  We enjoyed a lunch with relations – Norm, Kevin and Sandy – at a restaurant on the banks of Lake Wendoree (famous for its black swans), with many “Do you remember’s” across the table.

Tuesday morning and the weather had deteriorated – freezing cold, windy and showers – for our drive to Melbourne; no standing about chatting with neighbours this morning!  The drive was uneventful, apart from the strong wind gusts and occasional shower and we crossed the West Gate Bridge without any problems.

We are staying at the Big4 Frankston Holiday Park and probably wont stay here again.  In the four years we have been coming here, there doesn’t appear to have been any maintenance on the grounds, which are quite muddy and unkempt, bushes and trees are overgrown and in urgent need of a trim.  We are unable to receive television reception because of the overgrown shrubs and the receptionist very grudgingly agreed to allow us to move to another site on Wednesday morning.  The afternoon was spent undertaking some retail therapy but I was shocked, disappointed and stressed to discover that Crabtree & Evelyn are no longer selling my favourite shampoo and conditioner; definitely a valid reason for a chocolate!

First thing today, we shifted the caravan to another site, after watching the previous owner get into a bit of difficulty when the drawbar of his caravan separated from the jockey wheel and came to rest on the rather soft ground.  No damage done, so we were soon able to hitch up and move.

Wednesday was another day to meet relations; for the first time I met a first cousin of my mother, together with his wife.  We travelled to their home in the Yarra Valley for lunch and to look at and copy the many photos that Len had found for me to view.  It was so amazing to see photos of my mother’s side of the family for the first time.  The Yarra Valley was very beautiful – the first time we have visited this region of Victoria and will definitely be revisited on a future trip.  We also had the privilege, with a return journey over the full distance, of helping reduce the debt on the Eastlink Motorway by a goodly amount!

The weather continues to be very chilly, but fortunately not as wet or windy today.