We made it to Victoria in two days, with only one overnight stop at a motel.
For the last few hundred kilometres, the car had no alternator! Being a diesel, it still continued on, so we made it to Cohuna and took it to an electrical engineer. He promised to try very hard to have it ready for the funeral the next day.
After some discussion, we decided to take up Marion's offer of her car.
We stayed at Marion's on Thursday night --- she had a lovely tea ready for us --- and every other thoughtful comfort that a person could offer. After the long journey and the stress, we felt warm and cosy. Marion has the ability to make this happen, without suffocating people.
We made a short but nice visit to Betty Jenk and wished that we could have stayed longer but there was still much ahead of us and she understood.
The funeral was simple and dignified, which fitted Jim. Jenny (Jim's wife), Rachel and Talitha spoke beautifully, from their hearts. I was very proud of my daughters. I felt humbled and honoured to be mentioned in the funeral notices and in the service as "Jim's former wife." Jenny introduced me to her friends and relatives, using this title, but by the end of the long day, she was calling us, "The Old Wives' Club."
It was particularly pleasing to see that Jim's nephews, Peter and David Hol, had come from Portland.
David and Peter Hol, first and third from the left, with my three.
There were also a few of Jim's old staff members at the funeral. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to look at them and say, "You don't look a day older." I'm no longer very good with faces.''
We all gathered at Jenny's house after the service, where the kids played and ate and the adults mixed, mingled and ate. I had many opportunities to share with Jenny, things that probably only the two of us could share, both having been married to the same man. We were aware that some people found it strange that we were such good friends and that the four of us had many good times together. That's the way it happened, for us and I'm glad that it did.
Rachel and particularly Talitha had cooked up a storm, so that after most of the friends had left, about 14 of us ate a delicious dinner.
The 5 cousins and 7 grandkids
From Bendigo, we returned to Cohuna and had another night with Marion. The car was ready on Saturday morning. New brushes were put in and the "bad news" was that the spline, whatever that is and the bearings would need replacing soon ----- parts costing "$500+.
We had breakfast of bacon and eggs with Mandy and the boys, which was great. Earlier, we passed Dom and chatted to him on the roadside, as he headed for the football match. We sort of caught up with him later, at Elmore footy field, where he was calling the match on FM radio. He was terrific!!! He had all that loud excitement of a competition, plus background on players and all the fill-in patter that you hear on commercial stations.
I have no idea what I thought I might do in Melbourne. I really hit the wall on Saturday night and was asleep by 9.30, while I tried to watch TV. I was supposed to be minding the kids while Talitha went out but I woke at 11.30pm to find Josh happily watching Batman, beside me. It's amazing how quiet kids can be when they have their own reason for not waking adults!! When she came home, Talitha and I talked and reminisced into the early hours of Sunday morning and I then had an 11 hour sleep!
Tatum and Wes, Talitha, Maddy, Steve and I all went to Colombo's, to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. We have been going to that restaurant for about 20 years and the only food I have ever eaten is fetucinne carbonara. I know that the rest is delicious but I just love their carbonara. This time, I found that they no longer serve entre size dishes, so everyone got to try my food and were all impressed. We finished off with a delicious sponge cake that Madeleine had made during the afternoon.
Wes, Tatum, Madeleine
Monday is planned for Steve showing Tarl how to do a grease and oil change on her car and Tuesday will probably be the day that we head back to Moree, after first visiting my Aunty Sylvia.
Unfortunately, we won't get to see Rachel as she, Tom and Indy went to the opening of the snow season, straight from the funeral. I have no idea where they will stay when they return, as there's a huge plumbing problem at their place.
It seems such an anti climax now. I think I would like to belong to a culture that has weddings and funerals going on for a whole week!!!
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