Rumours of this blog's demise have been greatly exaggerated, to paraphrase Mark Twain, although there has been some stuttering and shortness of breath! I haven't twinkled the keyboard in earnest for a couple of months and we've actually done a lot, even other than waiting around for tradesmen. So, let me begin...

Bumped from our assigned flight, but luckily scoring two of the precious spots on another flight, we were in Melbourne in a flash and touted into a luxurious Audi A6 to arrive at our stay at Brady Hotels, Jones Lane. It was a funky, upmarket, no fawning hotel and just our fancy! We dined at the nearby Pepe's Chalet and then got set for some adventures the following day. We went full tourist for a couple of days and travelled by tram (only the free, rattling, clanging old style one of course!) and walked our legs off. Of course Melbourne lived up to its "four seasons in a day" reputation and we were variously peeling off jackets in a sweat, shivering in jumpers and unfurling umbrellas at odd intervals.

The Picasso exhibition was cleverly curated. Ironically, it was the few Picassos based in Australia that we hadn't seen, but the freshness of his work never disappoints. We visited the "Light" exhibition as well and the Turners and Monets (among others) nearly stole the artistic show for the day. Strangely, we had also seen all these works in London, yet they too were compelling in their temporary environment. But wait, "Hamilton" was lurking in the wings to colour our evening!

A meal at a freakishly authentic homestyle Japanese restaurant, Yamato (authentic food, furniture, style and ambiance!) preceded our entry into the plush interiors of Her Majesty's Theatre for Hamilton! The buzz of excitement was palpable and the atmosphere of anticipation tingled and crackled. The show was a triumph, of course, even exceeding our high expectations. A romp of excellence through the early years of American politics, an intricate weaving of history with contemporary stagecraft and music, the show did produce an extra little piece of drama, unique to our performance. The show was stopped prior to intermission to allow a sick and fevered "George Washington" to be replaced with an understudy! We assume all was well and the replacement seamlessly integrated and got on with it: such professionals! We were glad, however, that we'd acted on a tip from Cassy's friend, Kristin, to familiarise ourselves with the soundtrack before going. It made all the difference to our comprehension and enjoyment.

After a tour round the city and a fascinating walk to the MCG and a guided tour of same (made even more special as it was hive of activity as it was prepared for the Geelong-Richmond clash the following day!) we scoured the famous laneways, admired the graffiti and strolled through Chinatown before being picked up again to travel back to Tullamarine to take possession of our own rental car for the drive to Torquay.

Torquay's Tropicana Hotel sounds exotic, but unfortunately, despite the serviceable living area there was no getting past the cracked tiles, peeling paint, bizarre lack of any water pressure, lukewarm water and sub zero temperatures of the bathroom. Oh well, we've stayed in worse, and it didn't remind us of the Bates Hotel-like one in Wellington (NSW) did years ago! So, looking on the bright side, we decided to seek solace in meeting up with Wol and Annie and the boys after a two year absence!

We'd decided to stay about six days, which was slightly pushing it, but after all, they were the reason we were making this southern pilgrimage. Wol and Annie were just the same wonderful friends that we remembered, although perhaps a bit beaten down by the constant demands of a couple of rapidly growing, rambunctious boys! At times, they looked like they needed a holiday from the holiday! We also had the opportunity to catch up with Josh who was also in Torquay, permanently these days, and batching it while Kristin and the kids were holidaying in the States.

We caught up for coffees and chats most days and added in many dinners at the pub or a restaurant. Marcus's parents even babysat the boys one night so we could go out for a special meal. Marcus and I managed to almost replicate one of our old nights out when we shared a couple of beers watching the Richmond-Geelong clash at the Torquay Hotel. It was almost like old times, but we really need to be doing it more regularly. Perhaps when they make the big move back to Australia we'll be able to organise some more regular catchups. While working around W&A's schedule for each day, we sneaked in a number of side trips as well as exploring the local area. We'd ventured along the Great Ocean Road by motorbike many decades earlier so it was about time we revisited some spots.

Trekking along a clifftop track from Jan Juc to Bell's was a highlight (8km there and back), as was a visit to Geelong Central. The Geelong Art Gallery is housed in a beautiful old building and holds a few special treasures. The Wool Museum was surprisingly fascinating and professionally presented and a wander along the waterfront was leisurely and eye-opening, culminating in a dizzyingly fast spinning Ferris Wheel ride! We travelled overland to connect up with the always impressive but sadly disappearing "Twelve" Apostles of whom only about eight appear to be surviving the onslaught of wind and waves, then motored further along the coast, had a spot of lunch before heading back to the delights of the Tropicana. We made other day (or morning) trips to Barwon Heads and Anglesea and thoroughly enjoyed our tiny excursions in between meals and chats with friends. We even soaked up the delights of a country AFL game watching Wal's old team strut their stuff!

We were very lucky and spoiled that Chris and Val both chauffeured us to and from Newcastle Airport as it always helps ease the hassle of a trip to have it bookended so conveniently. We've had some action on the social front here since we returned as well. Mark's long postponed 60th surprise birthday party finally went ahead, actually on the eve of his 61st! It was fun, and for the "Ages of Mark" fancy dress, I replicated our old school uniform....shame I couldn't replicate the flowing locks and smooth skin! I was quaking with trepidation about delivering a short speech, but Cass reported that it went very well, so I'll take her word for it!

We celebrated Mum's 87th birthday at one of her favourite restaurants, Noah's, and had a great afternoon with some of the family. Helen and Lucy magically materialised after being stranded by car trouble on the way....they're troopers! We've had a few meals with Cassy's parents and visits with them as well as Mum over the past couple of months as well as sneaking out for a few dinner dates, drinks afternoons and visits to the cinema. We're still hamstrung by builder's schedules and the continued delays in finalising our renovations.

I'll try, (but won't promise) to write slightly more regular updates in future (!) Cass is reading "Disappearing Earth" by Julia Phillips and I'm on another Quirke novel, "Holy Orders" by Benjamin Black. I've again missed a whole doorstep of titles, but c'est la vie!

 We were totally shocked recently when we realised that it was a year ago that Cassy bought the appliances for our kitchen. Although the destruction/construction didn't begin until November 1st, it was still startling to think that things have been going on for so long. As it stands, the renovations have been going on for 7 months and although significant progress has been made, the end is not within sight just yet. We've just had the painting start, neither bathroom is finished (although mercifully, one is 80% operational bar having to use the sink in the laundry!) and the blinds have yet to be installed. Surely, there's a little glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel?

We've come to realise that we were very naïve to think everything would go quickly and smoothly. Despite the best efforts of our very professional builder, John, the timetable has been thrown into disarray by multiple combinations of tradespeople unavailable due to Covid outbreaks, delays on other jobs, supply issues with materials and a myriad of other issues. Let's sum it up this way, there is absolutely no way in the world that we'll ever do this again: we're moving if this place doesn't meet our needs in the future!

We've managed to escape our "tradesman babysitting duties" a few times to get to some Knights games, meals out and family get-togethers for Mother's Day and a lunch to see Michael and his girlfriend on a fleeting visit from Canada. We've continued to sneak away for our walk most days and I've even tentatively tested out my "frozen shoulders" with a few surfs. 

My old school friend, Mark, loaned me a modern big volume board to ease me back in, which was very kind and generous of him. My paddling fitness is shot to bits, my balance as wonky as a drunk on a skateboard and things aren't terribly enjoyable at the moment as I fall off immediately on 90% of any waves that I manage to catch, but as it's often said, I need to persevere to "get the stoke back". Living opposite a surfing reserve, there's no way I shouldn't make this work. I even committed further to the cause today by investing in a new wetsuit down at the Ripcurl shop: there's no turning back now!

Cause for great celebration is coming up in a couple of weeks, where we fly to Melbourne for a couple of nights to see Hamilton and the art gallery but more importantly then spend a week or so in Geelong and Torquay catching up with Marcus, Annie and the boys. We haven't seen each other since we left Taipei two years ago, so we'll have plenty to catch up on!

Books....Cassy and I have read hundreds of books since my last updates, so we'll let them disappear into the ether as I can't possibly list them all here. I've been interspersing books from various series for a while with Richard Stark's "Parker" series providing some old school nihilism, amongst Benjamin Black's "Quirke" series and M.W. Craven's "Washington Poe" books with some light relief from Michael Connelly and Lee Child here and there. Cass is on a book planet that has far more rarefied air than mine, but I do know she recently read and enjoyed Ann Patchett's collection of short biographical essays!

 Well, if you told me I'd make 60 years of age in any shape or form when I was 20, I would have said you were dreamin'! Somehow, despite the soft criminal teenage years, the frenetic immortal risks of the early 20s and beyond, I've survived relatively unscathed from life's ravages and live to fight another day!

Cass was always a shoo-in to reach 60 relatively comfortably as a goody-two-shoes from way back and with a definite risk aversion. She is however, just as astounded as I am that somehow we've reached this venerable age and significant milestone. In fact, we've often joked about the fact that when we were both teenagers the Year 2000 seemed so far away as to be almost in the realms of science fiction and if we were still alive then we'd be "just about out" at the ripe old age of 38....ah, the arrogance of youth!

We spent the late days of February and most of March with enjoyable activities like celebrating Sue's birthday with a great lunch at Noahs, going for meandering motor bike rides, catching up with old school mates at 60th birthday parties and watching world class surfing live across the road at Merewether Beach for Surfest. These pleasures were interspersed between our supervision of "O'Reilly men" as Manuel would say on Faulty Towers!

We'd been blissfully ignoring the impending dates of our own birthdays and despite sensible and early warnings from Chris and Val and generous offers to throw us a party we rejected all efforts and refused all offers. We were not worried about turning 60: far from it in fact. We've been revelling in our newly minted freedom from work, our repatriation home and our relatively fine health...so much so that anything that might upset our little, calm bubble in the world seemed anathema to us. We'd flirted with the idea of a celebration, but couldn't reconciles all our different worlds, school, Grammar, Uni friends as well as family. It was possible of course, but felt overwhelming to us, as increasingly introverted, slightly socially anxious individuals (well me at least!)

Cass suggested a clever compromise solution of a small family lunch to celebrate a combined birthday. It was a master stroke. Thankfully, nearly everyone was able to attend, despite some ill health and other commitments restricting a few possible attendees, quite miraculously as we gave scandalously short notice! The superb authentic cuisine of Bella Italia, along with their semi-private back room, provided the perfect locale for a relaxed lunch of fine food, excellent wine and drinks and convivial company.

Cass gave a searing speech from the heart which outlined a potted history of our time together, along with thankyous to her and my family. She managed to massage history skilfully to light me under a halo of goodness and wonder, which was so lovely and quite the feat. I tried to return the favour but stumbled around and didn't do justice to all her amazing accomplishments. Nonetheless, our heartfelt sentiments seemed to be appreciated by the audience! Valerie and Denise both rose to say a few words, unscripted and unprepared, and we were both basking in the warm glow of praise from our parents as well!

This lunch came after another, prior, lunch at Scratchley's on the wharf hosted by the Williamson family including Kristin which was similarly delightful as we gazed on the coruscating harbour, giant ships and busy ferries while eating our fresh produce. We enjoyed a homemade cake and presents later at Chris and Val's unit.

Fast forward from both lunches to my very quiet birthday lunch at Surf House where Cass and I strolled across the road at our leisure and whiled away the afternoon in the dappled sun of the 3rd storey bar and restaurant, sipping drinks and having a pleasant, simple meal. We revelled in the peace and solitude and marvelled, yet again, at how lucky we are to live in such a special part of the world, free from calamity and conflict and strife.

Our renos are ongoing and we've had quite a bit of progress. Our ensuite has been destroyed, stripped back, jackhammered up, cleaned, rebuilt in a slightly different configuration and waterproofed and fitted out electrically. Now, we're waiting on the tiler. These guys, as previously alluded to, are the kings of the tradies at the moment, so we're waiting with bated breath for any word of a possible starting date! We're sleeping on the sofa bed out in the back room for the foreseeable future: it's not a totally unpleasant experience but our old backs aren't coping quite as well as we'd hoped. Still, the end result will be worth the minor inconveniences.

So, it's Easter. After 19 years in an Asian non-Christian environment at Easter time we're a little out of practice with the rituals and habits of our fellow Australians, but by the look of the rollicking good fun being had by people in and out of the pub up the road, not everyone was thinking about Jesus getting nailed to a cross! We're slowly getting reacclimatized to Aussie life but it might take a little longer yet!

As always, I did my push up challenge on my birthday. I did 70 for my 50th birthday, so my constant, every other day training for the past 10 years has paid off by enabling me to do an equal 70 for my 60th! (up top for a while and later here.)

Here's the 60 album as well as the ensuite album. Oh, and how could I forget one final indignity we inflicted upon ourselves? As eligible citizens, we've applied for both Senior's Cards and gold Opal Cards....we apologize to our younger selves!