Love these friends of ours xx

 It’s a fabulous feeling to wander around Gerry and Tania’s, to sit in a sunny corner out the back in the gentle warmth of day’s end and absorb the peace of Nana Glen.  

 Later we move inside and their daily life swirls around us all, with both of them trying to orchestrate the kids plus ‘see’ to us as well as get dinner ready. Friends of theirs drop by with some freshly caught kingfish and settle in to the evening with us. They are easy and open to talk to and I feel as if I’ve made new friends.

 Gerry has always been the king of story telling and tonight I am reminded why.  Some of the time he talks so fast I can hardly keep up, but then I hear just a few words to make me remember a lifetime and I burst out laughing. Stories are recounted for the benefit of others, but mostly for ourselves I suspect, to remind us of where we’ve come from and what we share. We have to keep the memories alive and so we help each other.

And all the while, Gerry keeps downing beers as he throws magnificent pizzas together, listening to the conversation of others before stepping in with a comment - sometimes outrageous, sometimes thoughtful, always entertaining. He is a brilliant man and I love absorbing the way his mind works.  Once the kids are bathed and fed, Tania finds time to relax and enjoy the conversation too. It’s lovely to get to know her as this is only the second time we’ve met.

I enjoy that there is so much to say and hear and learn and laugh about – a perfect night!

This theme continues the next day at the Rushforths for lunch. (We certainly are being well fed!)

 Initially, it seems as if we’re all talking at once, so excited are we to see each other. But enough fragments of conversations filter through so that we understand what we’re saying. The pop of a champagne cork brings us to the reality of the day in a way that makes me smile. I love that sound.

Once we change to still wine, conversation flows at a slightly steadier pace, although Ian can’t help himself, providing an hilarious commentary that weaves and bubbles its way through the afternoon. I am reminded not so much of old times but of personalities: Ian and Deahne’s warmth as well as their intelligence and quick minds; Ian’s rapid fire wit and wicked delight in playing with language and ideas; Deahne’s cleverness and perception, her calm way of seeming to sail through apparent chaos and bring a quiet order. Such fun to experience again. And to reacquaint ourselves with Evie, almost 17, is a delight, especially to witness the way she is like her parents but also independent.

It is lovely to feel so welcomed in both homes and even lovelier to know that thanks to Jeni’s relocation to Queensland next year, we will have a fabulous excuse to visit again.

We know we’re lucky to have such friends, friends who make us feel comfortable and valued, and also rejuvenated. What a mix!