They're on the way home

The past 10 days have flown by and we did so much but still didn't manage to do everything. Marilyn & Keith arrived on Monday 17 after being delayed because of fog so instead of us collecting them at 10.30am at Canberra, it was 4.45pm. A very long flight for them. So after a couple of days rest and some local sight seeing, we took them on a 3 day road trip.

Marilyn wanted to buy some opals so we thought, where best to go? Lightning Ridge of course. Only 550km away so Thursday we put the dogs into the kennel for 4 nights and headed off. The trip there was great going through the changing country side, the drought has made its mark on parts. We arrived at the Ridge around 4.30pm so checked into the hotel and headed off to the bowling club for some liquid refreshment and later, dinner.

Next morning it was shop till you drop for opals. I just love watching someone else spend money and Marilyn certainly helped the Aussie economy purchasing a set of milky opals (2 rings, pendant, bracelet, earrings) in silver settings and a set of the blue/green opals (same stuff) set in gold. My darling Matthew bought me some earrings for my up coming birthday. We took a tour of the walk in mine which was great and saw the local attractions.

Next off to Mudgee for 2 nights staying with relatives, shopping and exploring the vineyards. Fair dinkum, Marilyn almost had to buy another suitcase to take back all the stuff she bought. I had fun helping her spend.

We arrived back in Cowra Sunday night and collected the dogs, who were thrilled to see us, Monday morning. They always smell when they come back from the kennel so it was bath time for both of them and hubby too. Anyone who has bathed a dog knows that they almost always get a bath too.

Marilyn and I headed off to Orange for yet another shop-a-thon and left the boys to their own devices. Marally Craft has a great range of Australian print quilting fabrics so once again, Marilyn contributed to the economy and bought up big. On the way home we stopped at the sheepskin barn and 2 pairs of ugg boots were given a new American home. Next door we visited what must be Australia's most expensive antique shop. The owner had stuff priced beyond belief! In the words of Darryl Kerrigan (The Castle) the bloke must be dreaming! Imagine an Arnotts biscuit tin for $29! and it wasn't even that old. I wonder who actually buys stuff from him anyway, it was fun to look around.

Tuesday it was a visit to Cowra's Japanese Garden and then we went to Canberra yesterday as they had to fly out early today and checked them into a motel. We did a little sight seeing and did a lap around Parliament House and the Lodge. Canberra sure ain't the easiest place to drive around unless you are a local. The Canberra Centre has to be the largest shopping complex I have ever seen and, as my sister works there, it was not so hard to navigate. We all had lunch joined by my brother and his 2 little girls and all in all it was a fun day.

I feel very special as Marilyn, my friend since 1983, bought me "a gift a day" whilst she was here. She must have bought a whole suitcase of things with her for me. I was so thrilled to receive 3 of her hand made quilts and lots of other things. We have a special connection and will remain friends until the day we die. Fortunately both our husbands get on really well and spent a bit of time together whilst we were off doing girly things and shopping.

Now it feels strange after having guests for 10 days to not have them. The dogs were wandering around the house last night looking for them. This was one of the best times I have had and I will miss them so much. Thank goodness for emails so we can keep in touch. It will be our turn next to go visit them. I don't know when that will be but it must happen before our husbands' medical conditions get any worse. You see, Keith has Lymphatic Leukemia and Matthew has Parkinson's Disease. Both of them are in the early stages of the diseases but, as there is no cure for either, we never know what will happen and how fast the diseases will progress. That's life!

Wally