This will be brief, unless it isn't. Tuesday I picked up Ray's English nephew and his wife from the airport and delivered them to their apartment, and my planning went like clockwork, in spite of car parking issues. We were leaving the airport after they had collected the cases from baggage carousel just twenty minutes after they landed. Well done Virgin Australia with their domestic flight from Sydney.
They are younger than me, and tech savvy, which makes it a whole lot easier for me. I did give them a 'welcome' pack with public transport cards with some credit on them, a couple of Melbourne and surrounds maps, supplied by me neighbour HH from where she volunteers, the maps also having public transport information. While at home they drive everywhere, the were adept at using public transport in Sydney and quickly understood Melbourne's system.
They caught at tram to my place in the evening, and after a couple drinks at home, we crossed the road to a restaurant where I paid for their welcome dinner. I would have liked to cook them a home cooked meal, but it is just too hard for me to cook. We came back to my my place to see the nighttime views, and more drinks were had until they left around 11pm. The booze and conversation flowed well and it was a good night.
They were back here by tram at 10 on Wednesday and with Ray's nephew at the steering wheel, we set off to Sister's on the Bellarine. I guided him along the scenic route along the coastal road through Geelong and we stopped off at a shopping centre for coffee and they bought a vase of flowers in water as a gift to Sister.
Back in the north of England, they looked after Sister, her wife and their daughter on Boxing Day, so the terrific lunch Sister prepared was some kind of repayment, although Sister would have done it regardless.
We began with mussels in a tomato sauce, with three salads and a crusty French stick bread and butter
The barbequed beef steak, lamb chops and thinly sliced strips and lightly cooked kangaroo meat were satisfying.
Bone Doctor had rearranged some appointments to join us for lunch. After lunch I drove the rels and Sister around the nearby area to see the sights. Back to Sister's for a cinnamon bun and tea, and we were homeward bound. The nephew is a very competent driver, so all had to do was direct him.
After 3.40 hours of being in a car, socialising and talking, I am exhausted. We left home at 10.00 and I arrived home at 6.30.
This leads me to be a bad blogger, not commenting on what I've read. Normality will resume....at some point. There is still more to do over the next few days.
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I am so curious about kangaroo meat. Is it a red meat, like venison? PS No answer required until such a time as your social battery has recharged a bit.
ReplyDeletePPS: 3 salads...oh my my. Sounds like my idea of a dream meal!
Yes, red meat with very little fat.
DeleteDebby, maybe redder than venison. Very low fat and high protein. It is ok to eat, but I wouldn't suggest it to anyone.
DeleteVisits from long distance relatives are always welcome. You are a very generous host too.
ReplyDeleteWe used to be able to buy kangaroo meat here but it is no longer available, although we can get South African ostrich fillet steaks.
Hope you get some rest before the next outings.
Ostrich steaks, JayCee, don't sound appetising to me.
DeleteI'd be exhausted, for sure. You're such a wonderful host. Best wishes, my dear.
ReplyDeleteMore to to tomorrow Darla, but not so hard.
DeleteWas this the first time nephew and wife have visited Australia? Do they have a touring plan worked out?
ReplyDeleteHes, they spent some time in Singapore, a week in Sydney and now in Melbourne for a week to attend the Grand Pricks. They go on to Bali for four nights and then home. Except home via Dubai. We'll see how that goes!
DeleteYou have a busy routine almost everyday. I am enjoying your writing
ReplyDeleteBusy one week Roentre, then nothing the next week, but then things happen., and there is never an empty week.
DeleteSounds like a lovely visit!
ReplyDeleteIt was Bob, but I needed today to recover.
DeleteRoo meat is pet food, they sell it in the pet food shop. I've never seen it in the butcher.
ReplyDeleteRoo is a healthy, sustainable meat for humans. It's available in woolies, aldi and specialist butchers
DeleteIf roo meat was suitable for human consumption it would be sold in supermarkets. I've yet to see it in Woolies, Coles or IGA. However, there's a large pet food shop nearby which stocks masses of it. I assume a lot of people buy it for their dogs.
DeleteBel, I've seen it in supermarkets and Sister bought it that morning, so from a local supermarket. It is not past novelty value.
DeleteI prefer being shown around a new city by the host/hostess. Just my preference, nothing worse than being told to go out and explore.
ReplyDeleteBel, I am old. I'd love to show them around, but I don't have the energy levels. They are very adept at finding what interests them.
DeleteSounds like a nice visit.
ReplyDeleteLinda, a long day, but it was good.
DeleteI would be exhausted too. The visit does sound like it went very well. I used to love crusty French Baguettes but they are hard to find now, supermarket ones look crusty but aren't, the crust is soft and "chewy" and too many "Baker's Delight" shops have closed. Have a nap now.
ReplyDeleteYou need to find a Vietnamese bakery for really crusty rolls. Vietnam learnt from the French about bread, and the Viet immigrants make the best bread.
DeleteAlways to good to have visitors. And looks like mostly everything is going according to plan. Have a nice time!
ReplyDeletePradeep, they were kind to us in England. I can't do enough for them here.
DeletePackaged roo meat was available at Woollies at one time…..haven’t seen it recently. A local butcher used to sell it also but unfortunately like many independent butchers they shut up shop a while ago
ReplyDeleteThe roo meat sold at pet shops ( ‘caught’ by legal hunters) has a blue dye stirred through to indicate it’s not for human consumption but I reckon there’s many who disregard that.
Cathy, even back in the 90s we bought kangaroo meat for our dog and it was stained blue. I wasn't mince though.
DeleteI don't think we humans would die from eating kanga meat of any description.
The kangaroo meat? I never thought that you are kangaroo. Then again the equivalent here would be moose and caribou. So there ya go. I relate to the tiredness after such interactions and drives. I usually need a day or two to recover. You and Sister sound like great hosts.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW, it is available but most people don't choose to eat it, perhaps because eating kangaroo was never part of white Australia's culture. Aborigines certainly ate 'roo meat.
DeleteWhat a beautiful visit they are having. The meal sounds wonderful and it does tire you out having visitors and doing a lot of talking as we become older, Andrew. Continue to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, it is about the talking. It just exhausts me.
Delete"This will be brief, unless it isn't."
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
Sweet, Kirk.
DeleteAn exhausting but enjoyable time. Hopefully you will be able to recharge your batteries whilst they do some sightseeing on their own
ReplyDeleteThey did today, Fun60. All on their own while I recovered.
DeleteIt does sound tiring but also fun.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the last time I had a bun and tea. What a good idea!
Oh yes Kylie, bun and tea is so good.
DeleteHaving guests is brutal! I need plenty of private time. And at this point I drive everyday to the care home and spend time with my husband and also socializing with the admittedly very nice people who care for him. But so much human contact just drains me. I come directly home and sit and stare. Working on my blog seems to revive me. I have friends here in Waikiki who have regular visitors. Who almost treat the local resident as a concierge? They're just so entitled and used to coming and even using her car. I guess I'm ranting point being take care of yourself. It's your life Andrew. Enjoy the hell out of it
ReplyDeleteThat's ok Cloudia. Feel free to rant here about what you are going through.
Delete🤍🎈
Deletethe food sounds great and understanding technology makes a big difference, don't know if I could handle hosting visitors for very long though as I like my own company.
ReplyDeleteI could quite happily stay at home with the internet and my own life Amy, but while socialising can be hard, it is good for you.
DeleteThey sound very pleasant visitors and you are an excellent host. Nonetheless, it is exhausting , so take time for yourself and recharge your battery.
ReplyDeleteI did today JB, and declined their invitation to join them for curry.
Delete2 or 3 hours with guests is fun, all day sounds exhausting. I would try Kangaroo, just to say I had. Add it to my list of things that people stare and say, you ate that?
ReplyDeleteTP, kangaroo as pet food is stained blue, but as someone above said, I bet some will still eat it.
DeleteThat is a long day and it is mentally tiring. Hope you had a good sleep.
ReplyDeletePixie, yes, I sure did.
Delete@aussiebel; Foodland (SA only stores) has roo meat and venison too, for human consumption.
ReplyDelete