We interrupt our regularly scheduled trip down memory lane for a detour to the Southern Highlands of New South Wales (in view of the fact I’ve just come back from a weekend down there…). This decoration was purchased on my first visit there at the invitation of our friend Miss Lisa. And so began my love affair with the ‘Highlands’ (dahling) and with her parents Party on Legs and Bandy.
It was Christmas, and I can’t even remember what year it was, though not ’99… possibly 2000, or ’01… Anyway, that’s barely important is it? That visit was remarkable in that in walking into their home it was like walking into mine, or at least the home I grew up in!
Their home is in the country, the house has that homey, if a little cluttered feeling, with long verandahs, ivy hanging off the eaves, always a couple of dogs lolloping around, chooks in the henhouse and horses in the back paddock. There are kookaburras in the trees (ok, so that part’s not much like home) and a massive garden and berry patch (THAT’S very much like home!).
The kitchen has flagstone floors and a massive woodstove (Aga) in the kitchen. It’s amazing. But best of all there is a warm welcome for all and an invitation to make oneself totally at home! Something which I am happy to do…
That Christmas we went to the local carols in the park, so very much like the country Christmas concerts and singalongs our NZ rural community conjours up… complete with Santa arriving by fire engine and the mosquitos running hot… of course in New Zealand we sing Te Harinui instead of Six White Boomers but I’m sure you get the idea.
Ah well, sometimes a weekend at the Legs’ retreat is the perfect antidote to Sydney stress and tension, a place where you can say Bugger the World and not have anything to do, and not have to do anything… So much so that when my world turned upside down last year I escaped there for a couple of days even without Miss Lisa. Sanctuary… no questions asked. It was bloody brilliant.
Anyhow, as sick as I’m sure Miss Lisa is of my politely inquiring as to the next time she’s heading home for the weekend it is one of the places/families I’ve valued most highly in my time here… and as long as the welcome mat is out I’m going to send the occasional email and sneak out of town, leaving the phone at home and get my head back together for the next 6 months…
So thank’s babe…. I had a GREAT weekend… even if all I did was go google eyed at this…
Anytime, as you know.