Farewell to Br M

A lot can happen in a week I have been thinking, as one week from my birthday, I was sitting in a hotel in Perth as several of us went down to attend Br M's funeral which was held yesterday (Monday) at 9.30am. Gerard, Phil and I left here around 2pm Sunday with four and a half hours of music downloaded on Gerard's ipod for the trip. He also downloaded off google, instructions on how to drive to Perth to our hotel, to where the funeral was held, and ergo back to Geraldton. Hmmmmm, next trip, I will get the map book out, work out the route, write it down and memorise it, lol. We were heading for Adelaide Tce and made it into Perth after taking only one wrong turn meaning several extra k's. Then, aiming at the city - you could see the tall buildings (laughing lots) we only took one more wrong turn before getting on the right street and bingo there was the hotel. There was parking underneath the hotel and I kept my eyes closed and Gerard manouvered their 4WD into a space better suited to a mini. We had already hit a height board with the roof rack and I was sure we were going to take out the air conditioner pipes running over head but luckily there was a little more space again than the height restriction board, phew. The hotel was 3 star but perfectly adequate. The lads had a small overnight bag each and gave me grief as I had my suitcase (reasonably full, lol), backpack with my computer in and of course my capacious handbag. We were right in the middle of the city and by standing out on the pocket balcony turning left, there was a glimpse of the river - which is the size of a small harbour to my way of thinking. We had a two bedroom apartment type place which suited for the overnight that it was. I was given the room with the queen size bed with according comments lol, with the other's crashing in the other room and out in the lounge. After the effort at parking we decided we would not eat out but grab something in the restaurant in the hotel. I have to say the meal was very average - I ordered Barrumundi (fish) and was underwhelmed by the cooking and presentation. It was nearly 9pm by the time we had finished dinner so switched on the TV to see if anything was worth watching, and woohoo, a programe about the Monty Python team and the making of several of their movies, In Search of the Holy Grail, the Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life. For me Monty Python never gets old so I was in fits over various snippets. I didn't know there had been so much controversy over the Life of Brian and that several churches tried to get it banned and in one state in America they did ban it. They were accused of being blasphemous as the film is a send up of the the Messiah and the crucifixion. In one part the crowd is listening to the sermon on the Mt - blessed are the meek, they shall inherit the earth, blessed are the peacemakers - interpreted as blessed are the Greeks and the cheesemakers as the words got to the back of the crowd. Interesting to hear from the Pythons their take on the process of making the films and creating the scripts.

We had decided we would have a reasonably early start next morning working backwards from getting to the funeral venue half an hour before it was due to start for parking and seating and then added on a bit more so at 8.15am decamped. Gerard had read the map and had the google instructions so gave them to me, and off we went. I read out the instructions and as far as getting out of the first three streets it went well. We were meant to be on the Kwinana Freeway with the next run 6k up the road before the correct turnoff. We went some distance and nothing seemed to be in the right place, so got out the map book and found we were somehow heading back to Geraldton on the George Mitchell Highway instead. We got off at an off ramp, and then got back on the freeway heading in the right direction - by now peak hour traffic. We knew we were heading in the right direction because we saw the Bindoon school van with our ex-Tardun kids heading that way. Praise Be, lol. We finally found ourselves almost back to the beginning of where we had left from and turned south after all and woohoo, this time the instructions worked, lol. We arrived with 10 mins to spare - luckily the school oval where the funeral was held, was opened for parking so no worries there, and there were still some seats left we were able to squeeze into by some other ex Tardun mob. The service was a great tribute to Br M. He had specified most of it and the eulogy was given by a fellow Br and ex Principal of Tardun. He told of several practical jokes Br M had played on him which had everyone in fits of laughter. He told of his last days and how Br M had faced them in his inimitable style. Family read out various prayers and a formal mass ensued which was fine until one of the readings included blessed are the meek, ........... As soon as the prayer started, Phil just looked at me and we both nearly lost it. I had to bite my lip and look steadfastly in the other direction to get control. Br M had told the Br who gave the eulogy he did not expect more than 10 people to attend his funeral and would probably have been amazed how many people there were to pay their last respects. There were two moments that nearly undid me - one seeing Br W visibly upset and when we went outside and their were "our" kids lined up as a guard of honour in front of the hearse. They looked so smart and the boys had their akubras across their chests in respect. In was very touching and a lovely tribute from the kids.

We got to have a quick chat with some of them but then we all headed to the cemetary for the committal. That was an experience - there was a funeral taking place as we came through the gates, people were just leaving from another one and by the time we were leaving, there was another huge one just arriving. Talk about funerals are us. The cemetary is very old and appeared to be almost park like with lots of trees and garden in various parts. The final part of the service over, we got a chance to have more of a catch up with the kids before we headed back to where the after match function was being held. Most of the kids wanted to give us a hug before they left - boys included. I was so proud of them all especially our two girl's who came. It was like a Tardun reunion afterwards, with neighbours, the Prinicpal who hired me and his wife (over from Adelaide), and eleven of us, plus Father Morrissey from Mullewa and Tardun in attendance. I spoke to Br M's sister who remembered me from the visit we made to her when Br M took me down to Perth the first Easter to catch a plane back to NZ. Got to catch up with some of the other Br's who I have met several times plus a couple of the honchos who were involved in the closing of Tardun. We finally left just after 2pm and had a long drive back stopping several times for drinks and to swap around driving.

I think everything caught up with me today, I sat down to watch a DVD this afternoon and slept through the whole thing. I have a couple of jobs I am looking to apply for so am keeping on plugging away. My university papers arrived last Friday and OMG there is some work in them to be done so shall not be idle. I think I will have to work at some sort of timetable to get the assessments completed. I am up to 3,000 word essays which is fine, but there is research and readings, and my particular favourite (not), referencing, to complete. It will give some extra structure to my days and less time to be playing games on the computer - ouch.

Spent some time on Saturday in town and nearly walked the length and breadth of it looking for shoes to wear to the funeral. Got some trainers as well as I will try and do more walking, it is about a k to the shopping centre so not too far though one steep hill. Also looked for something appropriate for an interview but found nothing that I liked. All my clothes except the ones I bought back with me are still in storage which is a pain in the pixie. Gerard and I did a run to the dump last week, - an outing lol. We took out a load of branches and rubbish from the garden. As dumps go, I was very impressed, no smell and hoards of sea gulls that I have experienced before at home. We went to the "green" part of the dump, dropped the stuff off and then picked up a load of dirt/mulch to add to the garden back here. I should have had my camera with me as there was a kestrel or hawk on top of one of the mounds of mulch, hunting a mouse and it would have made a great shot.

Have been watching a little bit of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver - an Aussi girl won gold in snowboarding I think - I did see a bit of it, and some of the men's skating which always has me waiting for somone to fall when they do some amazing turns and flips. This weekend is a long weekend for the boarding schools - we were offered a chance to go to Kalbarri but one of the girls is working and Bronwyn and Gerard have a friend arriving from NSW on Friday for a visit. The house will expand again, lol. It is nearly 2am so will sign off for now and catch you all later.

RIP Br M

For those who have followed my posts for some time, you have heard me mention Br M a lot as he and I did the Geraldton run for months every Wednesday. We had news this morning that he passed away, a week to the day since we last saw him.

Even though we saw him just after he had his medication increased last week, his sense of humour was to the fore. He said when he left Tardun he wasn't sure whether he would make Christmas, and yet when he dropped me off to catch the plane back to NZ on the 4th Dec - he was still riding his pushbike around Lake Subiaco (questionable spelling, lol). I had emailed him a couple of times since my return to Oz and he had responded each time and was at peace and ready to go he said. His first email was to tell me he had had last rites from an 87yr old priest (Br M was 74). Others had been in ph contact with him and so we had been able to let him know we had appreciated having him in our lives for the last two years or more in some cases, while he was still with us. We will miss his wit and wry sense of humour but do not begrudge his going as he had definitely fought the good fight. I am sure there will be a gathering of the clan in the next few days so we can celebrate his time with us apart from going to the actual funeral which we are waiting to hear when it will be.
RIP Br M

Valentines Day 2010

I know the next post was to be about Christmas and New Year - that seems a life time ago and I may do a retrospective of the New Zealand holidays I think, but decided to pick up in the here and now to kick start my 2010 odyssey (otherwise I will never get it started). As of yesterday, the 14th Feb, I have been back in Oz for a week. After trying for several jobs and only hearing back from one, I decided to book a plane and see what comes my way once I got back. The job I heard from was an offer to look at a position as school counsellor instead of the boarding one I applied for in a school in Queensland. I have shown interest in this position which will be advertised at the end of this term when the contract is finished with the current providers.

A quick scope of fares and times on line decided me on flying Qantas and this time went from Auckland to Brisbane, Brisbane to Perth and then Sky West from Perth to Geraldton. I have flown Qantas several times now and have had indifferent service more than once and good service is a pleasant surprise. On the Auckland to Brisbane leg, I asked for a blanket as I was cold and wanted to sleep - it never happened. However the Brisbane to Perth leg was very civilised, blankets and pillows all laid out and lovely staff in attendance. I arrived at Perth around 11.30pm, found myself an electric power point and set up the laptop and played games until 6.30am until I could check in for Geraldton. I arrived at 9am and was picked up by the WM and family followed by a quick trip to Maccas (McDonalds) to catch up with the WMH who is working part time there.

I am staying in Geraldton where the WM and family bought a 5 bedroom house with two lounges, large kitchen/dining room and swimming pool out the back. I am set up in the lounge that has the telly with the Wii machine and DVD but am only there to sleep, and I feel like I have been back for ever. The WM, WMH and DP from out at school are involved with setting up a flexible learning centre in town which will follow much the same path as where they were heading with curriculum when the school closed. In between and around this happening, the WM and WMH are both working part time as managers at Maccas as they used to manage an entire operation back in NSW some years ago.

I arrived back to an impromptu dinner thrown on my behalf to welcome me back with a barbeque dinner and salads that arrived with people as they turned up. We had a major catch up on all sides and have to say was well ready for bed that night. Last week was spent doing things like changing addresses on a screed of things that took ages as I searched through paperwork and address book to see who sends me mail. Banks etc being on the top of the list. Last Tues five of us made a 12 hour return trip to Perth for the day to visit with Br M who is now in end stages of his battle with cancer. We arrived not long after his meds had been increased and only spent 10 mins each with him as we split in to two groups so he did not feel overwhelmed. Despite the effects of his meds, his sense of humour was still very present and we were all pleased to have made the trip which in effect was to say goodbye. We made a quick stop at KMart and Coles shopping centre on the way back and woohoo, picked up another set of 1000 count cotton sheets. They were at half price at $75 so couldn' resist and Phil (DP) got some as well, as one of his had blown away off the line last week in the wind, lol. We were in a rush so zoomed through the checkout and had a few bits and pieces of other stuff and it wasn't until Phil called round the next day that I found out what a bargain indeed I had. He had checked his docket at home and in fact the sheets had been on further special again and were in fact only $51. We both could have spit chips, lol as did the WMH as we all would have bought another set at that price.

The rest of the week seemed to pass in a blur, with seven people in the house, there is continuous washing, folding and ironing to be done and meals to be cooked. There is usually at least one lot of folk drop in a day and in between all that I have been thrashing the WMH in samba, lol. On Friday, I went shopping with Phil as all the troops were putting on a birthday for me at his place on Sunday. It had been decided we were having a barbeque, so first thing was to buy meat. They are all carnivores of the first order over here so ended up with sausages, tbone steaks, rissoles (darl, lol) and a pork neck or some such thing that was cooked in a piece on the day. We went to Bunnings and got a trestle table as Phil wanted an extra table outside and got one that folds in half so can be taken to other soirees, lol. He has an excellent place for entertaining with an outside area in an L shape out the back door with a good amount of lawn that is flat, and another enclosed outside area of the lounge.

So, the birthday ...... The day started the day before with a skype chat with sister Kay who was going to be in Auckland the following day. Had phone calls first thing from Val in Sydney (wave) and Vivienne from NZ (nother wave), then Skype call from Mum ( more waving, lol). I received a card from the family here but was told I had to wait for my gift as it was a group thing and I would receive it later in the day. I opened facebook and emails and there were screeds of msgs from friends and family - one from the number 1 grandson who sent me pictures of drawings which was great. Phil came and got me as the others had gone to Church, and we got a few last minute things and then went back to get the pork on to cook while I created a salad etc.

First thing I noticed was Phil had gone and got another trestle from Bunnings and with the kitchen table as well, they were all set up with table clothes, glasses etc and it looked very festive. People started arriving not long after and while everyone relaxed with a wine or fizzy, and ate nibbles, the business end of the barbque got going.




Phil and barbeque

Tables under shade cloth area and back lawn.








We ate around 1pm once everyone had arrived. It was like a Tardun reunion with a couple of extras. Janette (office lady) and family, plus her Mum Cecilia who I have done craft courses with, Henry (who used to do the laundry) and his wife Jean, Janet and Colin, Jude (cook), the Bronwyn, Gerard and family (WM et al), Claire and two boys (neighbour) and Rita plus Phil and I made up the crew. Rita is an old family friend of Phil's who just happens to be first cousin with Cecilia and the house Phil has rented belongs to Rita's grandson - talk about 6 degrees of separation. Rita will be 90 in June and was a total hoot. Cecilia had arrived with a jar of home made fig jam from her own fig tree and some aromatherapy tealight candles which was a lovely thought. Then OMG, I opened my parcel and there was a woven kit inside, and I thought ah bless, it is something with a NZ motif a la flax kit, but wait, there was more (had already got excited about the kit, laughing lots.







Those of you who know me well will be able to hear the soundtrack of me laughing and going OMG you have to be joking me!! LOL






There was some tissue paper inside the kit and wrapped up in that was a stirling silver bracelet with abrolous island pearls, a ruby/garnet and two sapphires set into it. I nearly passed out with shock, I can tell you!!!!!




The photo without my arm is taken to show off the earrings as well :)

When we had gone to get meat last week Gerard and I had looked in a shop across the road with all sorts of interesting things, some pantry goodies, nice plates, books,soaps, - an arty, trendy type place and as we had drifted to the door, I had spotted these bracelets as they were unusual and very Australian with the pearls. We had looked at them and I had thought no more about it. Meanwhile, he got everyone else organised and they all chipped in and got it for me. I am still flabbergasted, lol. And if that was not enough, Janet and Colin had already got me something, which she bought round yesterday and they are the earrings in the photo that are almost a match to the bracelet!!! The stones are Canelian and Moonstone and the earrings came with two little cards with info about the stones themselves. "Carnelian is in tune with the energies of the earth, thus helping with grounding and calming. Aids in concentration, good for people who are absent minded....Promotes optimism, lifts gloom, despondency and sooths irritations. Will help move stagnent situations" - may have to get a stack of these stones and bedeck myself with same, laughing lots. "Moonstone is emotionally calming - helps to cool, soothe and calm overreactions. Aids in opening the feminine energies, heightening our intuition, known to balance women's hormones ......." Hmmmmm, laughing again.

So as I was still recovering from the shock of the bracelet, Noah who is 5yrs was very concerned that I did not have a birthday cake. We said he could make one instead so out he came with a plate of twisties surrounded by toffee lollies and I pretended to blow out the pretend candle in the middle. I had just finished that with him when hello, out came a real birthday cake. OMG again, as you will see in the picture it had Happy Birthday written on it and it was huge. It was sponge with three layers and an almondy liquor tasting custard filling in the layers with choclate lamington type surrounds and chocolate ganache swirls with choc buttons.


Of course they had got candles that kept on relighting but I already had trouble blowing them out because I was laughing too much.







Phil had also opened some champagne by then which got served up in goblets (plastic for picnics) with a strawberry in each glass. Well, Rita and Cecilia had several of those as did a few others so the afternoon passed by with much hilarity, topped by Rita lighting up a cigarette after giving up 5 months ago (bearing in mind she is nearly 90 - she said what the hell, putting an extra 5 yrs on her life by giving up was not a biggie, lol) in celebration of the day and also hearing from England that her 30th great grandchild had just been born. (Also followed by another glass of champagne).

The day started to wind up about 5.30 and various people peeled off with a few of us left to sit back and have a coffee. I got back here at 7.30pm bypassed dinner completely, lol and found I had received more emails, ph messages, txts and posts of facebook, so a wonderful day in all. So, thank you to one and all who made the day such a wonderful one and this will certainly be a landmark one in the book of memories. I received several gifts before I left NZ from family and friends so feel very spoiled indeed and am still receiving cards and emails so woohoo. I had managed to ring No 2 son earlier in the week for his 35th birthday on the 11th and contact sister in law by email on the same day, and next off the rank is No 2 grandson who turns 1yr old on Saturday 20th. Hard to believe that year has gone so quick. So will now sort the photos that I am adding to this post, hence the delay Val, as I am not quick at this, lol. And once again, thanks to those who have been in touch since I have been back here.