Flew Qantas Emerald to Melbourne without incident, then hit the usual issues with Avis at Tullamarine... Incorrect paperwork, mixup with car issue, delay, delay, delay... It's been that bad, we now plan to use Hertz when travelling into Victoria.
Arrived into Warragul safely mid afternoon, dinner at Country Club with the Quenault connection before an early night.
Friday brought a damp, cool, overcast day, perfect for a drive in the beautiful hills of Gippsland. Drove up to Harvest Club Cafe at Jindavik, for a fabulous lunch, great view, local wines and freshly prepared food. Good food, good scenery and good company to celebrate the birthday of AQ.
Friday night BBQ to feed the masses, that were arriving in Victoria in time for the impending wedding.
It was loud, it was frantic, it was funny. Love these kids to bits, their quirky senses of humour, their sarcasm. Everyone is fair game. Leave the thin skin behind and roll with the punches.
Saturday morning, brunch at Frankies in Warragul, a new hip n happening place, with industrial style interior design, and the best raspberry muffin I've ever eaten! I was almost regretting going halves with Hugo... It was warm, sweet and oh so delicious. Taking the two smallest grandchildren out for a walk was a highlight of the morning, watching oncoming shoppers be mesmerised by their engaging smiles. I'm quite the proud grand Mimi, even though they aren't really 'mine'.
Saturday afternoon brought the wedding.. The big event. The reason we are all here in Q Homeland. Wild Dog Winery was a fine place to celebrate a wedding. On the deck over looking the vineyards, threatening cloud kindly staying in place for a grand backdrop to photos. The local wines flowed freely, the music was entertaining, the food tasty and the company interesting and of course the bridal party beautiful! The obligatory random selfie comp over, made way for some air guitar and no pants Eagle Rocking.
Super Sunday was celebrated in Traralgon, with cuts of lamb, beef n pork marinated and spit roasted. Fine lunch to pick us all up after a big night. Organised as a recovery day, and a catch up with those unable to make it to the wedding. An afternoon cricket match slowly deteriorated into drinking games and made for the perfect time to make an exit home for a cuppa.
Monday rolled around much too quickly and a more relaxed day was had. Warragul checking out all the local gift stores before lunch at Yarragon and a stroll through local antique stores, craft galleries and the obligatory stop in at the coffee shop and local food tasting. The final family gathering was at Neerim South at the new Thai resturant, opened especially for us on Monday for a fantastic banquet of freshly prepared aromatic food.
Well and truly wined and dined, we heading back to Tullamarine for the long trip home. I'm happy to be heading back to the sunshine state. As much as I love being away, I long to be home in my own space, with little stress and no feeling of constant judgment. Family gatherings are hard at the best of times, but with such a large family, that feeling of being pulled from pillar to post is exacerbated... It becomes a marathon of being organised then reorganised then changed yet again.. It's bloody hard work. I'm not used to the feeling of having to constantly look better, be better, do better, eat better, just to fit in. Then have my food photographed and used as later discussion. The overhearing of derogatory comments, the feeling of justifying what we wear, do, eat, say... It's tiring. Saddening. I feel like an alien in a foreign world. I don't fit into this world, and I'm glad of it.
Take me back to Qld where we embrace people's differences, celebrate their individuality, and allow people to dress, talk, and eat how they wish. No judgement.
