Friends

Off for a day's fishing.

From the green hills of Tumbarumba, we headed back up the Hume Hwy, to rendezvous with our friends Bev & Fred at Shellharbour. It is a true reflection of the wonderful life we are enjoying, when we can wake up one day in the shadow of the Snowy Mountains, and the next day be sitting in Fred's boat, a few kilometers off the coast at Shellharbour, fishing the day away! No thanks, we aren't swapping lifestyles with anyone!

We were grateful that on our first morning, the weather gods gave us a good day for fishing. Fred and I headed off shore and enjoyed a terrific day, bringing home sixteen lovely flathead. The rest of our stay didn't prove so lucky as regards the weather. We only managed one more day, and even that was pretty uncomfortable, with showers and a big swell, but we did manage to add another five flathead to the freezer. 

Apart from the fishing, we did get an excellent show from the wildlife. It is that time when the whales are heading back south, and the bay at Shellharbour is a great place for mothers and their calves to break the journey. We were fortunate enough to get a spectacular show up close, with a mother and calf breaching and rolling and flapping fins and tails only 100 metres away. In addition to the whales we also had a seal for company for a while, a penguin swam by, quite close to the boat, and our old friend the pelican landed beside us waiting for a feed. The pelicans are fantastic. They swim around the boat, and when you start reeling in, they come up close to see what you've got, hoping like mad it is under size, and therefore fed to him! Fred caught a spiny old red rock cod which we tossed to the pelican. He turned it around and around in his bill, then swallowed it, and Fred & I were thankful we weren't him at tomorrow mornings spiny ablutions!

The girls did Bingo at the club. Shopped there way around the emerging new shopping centre at Shellharbour, and generally had a good catch up. The other highlight for all of us was spending Melbourne Cup Day at Nancy & Keith's place. We had a great day. Nancy & Keith were as usual wonderful hosts, with the food and drink laid on. Bev & Fred cleaned up on the races, amidst a constant flow of champagne and laughs.

Mark & Jodie.

Mark & Jodie.

After Shellharbour it was across to Camden to attend the wedding of Cheryl & Chris' son Mark and the lovely Jodie. We are regulars at Camden, and Managers Darren & Karin give us a warm welcome. It is almost like coming home, as Darren follows us to the site and helps us get set up. 

The proud parents Chris & Cheryl.

It's all official.

Time to cut the cake.

Cheryl & her sister Deb, are well and truly up to their necks in Wedding preparations. All the planning paid off handsomely, with a really happy day being had by all. It is probably the most relaxed wedding we have attended. Everything went off like clockwork. The service was held in the grounds of Gledswood Winery. The bride looked very Audrey Hepburn in her simple elegant dress, and all the boys looked very smart in their light grey suits. I think the parents were more nervous than the bride & groom! They too looked terrific, and I'm glad to say, survived the day. The service was followed by champagne and nibbles in the gardens, then it was off to the Mount Annan Botanical Gardens where a sit down dinner was enjoyed at the Restaurant. The night just flew by, with lots of dancing and other forms of gyration, and some excellent food and wine. You couldn't imagine a happier couple. To top the night off, a bus was organised to take us all home, with our cars locked and safe in the secure car park.

Sharing the special day.

The next day, Cheryl & Chris hosted a lovely brunch. Mark & Jodie were heading off to Tahiti for their honeymoon, but not for a couple of days, so we enjoyed a lazy day sitting around looking at photos and generally having a relaxing time catching up with family and friends.

Monday we headed up to see mum. We headed for Brighton for a lazy lunch and catch up. It is always good to see mum again.

Tuesday morning we packed up and headed off again, this time heading north for Forster. We haven't holidayed there for more than 25 years, so are really looking forward to it. We plan to be there for a month or so before heading back to the Sydney region to commence Christmas festivities with family and friends.