Weekend away

The weekend in Canberra with dear daughter was full of 'catching up', mostly with relatives but also friends. Grandma and Grandpa met us at the airport and it was quite hot when we arrived (33°C), so we spent the afternoon relatively quietly (dear daughter had a nap). It was that evening and the next day that the social times occurred and it was lovely to gather with so many. Dear daughter hadn't been to Canberra since Grandma and Grandpa's 50th wedding anniversary last year and although most were at the wedding it is hard to spend lengthy times with all guests at such celebrations. My sister-in-law has a new home and it is perfect for family gatherings so a dozen relatives met at R's for dinner on Saturday. Lovely. Dear daughter also spent much time with her special cousin who is the same age, Grandpa thought they were "just like sisters" (neither of them has a sister).

One surprise this visit was dear daughter recognising a classmate, from her schooldays in country Victoria, at Grandma and Grandpa's church on Sunday morning. I agreed it certainly looked like him, but couldn't possibly be ... but it was. It can be a small world. It reminded me of when my darling and I 'bumped into' friends from the same Victorian country town at Hampton Court Palace this past English summer. How does this happen? How many do we miss if we pass by just a few minutes earlier? Are we somehow drawn to meet up by a type of 'familiarity magnet'?

The flight back was a little bumpy and the poor babe was active - probably quite disoriented with the 'fair-ground' ride. Flying is definitely not one of my favourite activities and I have planned for all my future long distance journeys to be by ship. The Melbourne-Canberra flight is short (less than an hour) and compared with the hours and hours of driving it is much preferred when on a short visit.

My darling coped well while I was away, the cost of groceries took his breath away though ... maybe this should become a regular activity!