Mum & Dad had arranged to come out for two weeks and spend one with me in Oz and the other with our relatives in NZ. My nan had been going steadily down hill in hospital and hursing home since February/April time, but had been keeping in pretty good spirits. Cue first case of feeling shite. Got home the day before I was due to meet mum and dad to be greeted with a facebook message (which thankfully Em got as I'd not checked my mails for a while) telling us that nan had died at 05:15 on the Tuesday morning. It was now Tuesday evening in Oz, around a couple of hours later, and mum and dad were in mid-air somewhere between Dubai and Sydney. Rang ash, got the lowdown on what happened and then it dawned on me that although he'd texted dad, (dad os not the kind of person who will turn on his mobile the instant he gets off a plane) I would have to once again tell one of my parents that their parent has just died while they are on holiday. It happened a few years back with Pop (Dad's dad).
Following morning up at 3 to get the 04:07 train to Sydney in order to get to the airport at 06:15 to meet their plane. Spent most of the trip asleep, worrying about what to say to mum, and wondering how Ash was coping with being on his own to deal with all the funeral stuff. Met mum and dad around 06:40 as they just got let through customs with no stops - most unusual for Oz. Could see that they didn't know, so tried acting fairly normal for a few mins to find out how things had gone with the intention of sitting down on some of the chairs for a chat. Mum being mum took one look at me and said "she's gone hasn't she?". Must have looked pretty rough even though in myself I was feeling ok, so then had the conversation. She seemed to take it ok after the initial shock which was good.
Navigated them through the train stations of Sydney and Gosford to get back to the car and then the short drive back to our place. Thankfully was great weather so they got to see what the place looks like. Had a few hours sitting around and talking funeral stuff before giving ash a Skype that evening to discuss everything and for mum to get across some of her wishes for the funeral.
Next day, spent around Terrigal and doing a bit of shopping at what we've been told is the largest single storey shopping mall in Oz (Erina Fair). Walked along beaches, admired views, took many pics and dad got to play with his new video camera.
Went off to the Blue Mountains on Friday to see some spectacular scenery - the Three Sisters at Echo Point, the canyons and the haze from the Eucalyptus trees that give it the Blue tinge. Great day with dinner overlooking the canyons and watching the birds feeding off any leftovers. Couldn't go see the Wentworth falls as the path was closed for renovation, but managed to go scouting for some other waterfalls which although sounded impressive, were a bit on the small side. Got home and just as we were about to go back to their B&B, cue second time of feeling really shite. This time, self inflicted as I thought ma was in the car as heard back door shut (already thought Em had shut her door), let handbrake off and heard a scream as I'd rolled over her big toe. Cue a 3 hour visit to Emergency where we got to see Izzy at work. I was seriously shaken up - Em had to drive to the hospital where mum sat shaking in the bed and I sat shaking in the chair. 3 x-rays and a load of bandaging later we were back at the B&B again with mum now using an elbow crutch.
Saturday went to Hunter Valley to do a spot of Wine Tasting. Hadn't really got over the night before, so Em was driving. Mum was in a bit of pain, but not too much thankfully, especially after we went shoe shopping for something to fit her bandaged foot. Went to Bimbadgen Winery - a really nice place which Em and I had been to a few days before when Rachel was visiting - and the guy there recognised us and gave us the spiel on all his wines. Found some really nice ones, especially the Viognier - would highly recommend it if you can find it! Had food there. Mum said, and I quote "That was the best salmon I've ever eaten", so you can guess the quality. Sufficiently fed, we went on to a few more small places, with dad buying a couple of bottles from an organic place.
Next day, Iz had a day off, so we went to the Australian Reptile Park which we've all been wanting to go to since the day we moved and saw the big dinosaur advertising the place on our first drive into Gosford. It was a fantastic day - really good keeper who did some hilarious talks, and mum fell in love with the Tasmanian Devils. I'm sure the parents will show the vids to anyone who wants to take a look! Went out for the evening to the Letterbox for a meal - not quite up to the standards of the previous day, but not far off! Good food and good company is always a good recipe.
Spent the next couple of days not doing a great deal - just relaxing as I think the jetlag was still catching up with them both. Got mum a nice new stick on Tuesday so she didn't have to take her crutch on the plane - she was walking at her normal pace by then - except for stairs. Took back mum and dad to the airport on Weds, and bade farewell until the following week when they're due back for a day in Sydney.
Got a text from dad yesterday - Tuesday - expecting it to be a "we'll see you in the morning at X o'clock" text, but instead it was a "we got the days wrong and won't be in Sydney until Thursday" text!! So instead of being in Sydney today, I'm writing this. At least they were a day early, and not a day late as that would have REALLY screwed things up!
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