Seven Hills, New South Wales, AustraliaThis is to be a trip which has many milestones for us: unfortunately our many “quad” approaches with our good friends, the Tildens, now exists as a “duo”. The latter were not able to attend this trip. I guess now Fred has only to worry about me. Not so many train tickets to purchase as well, I guess. Trains and boats and planes (perhaps a good title for a song ?) all to be utilised in our movements. The odd car as well to be driven.
I promise to be a good boy and will endeavour to behave: especially in between my mis-demeanours. What a good fella I am !! A big pledge I know, but I feel that I am up to it. Dedication to burn. Fred must feel privileged to be able to travel with such an impressive (and modest), person. Notice I didn’t mention, suave? I must ask her about the delight she would feel, given this very privileged opportunity !! Editorial licence maybe invoked however, should her expected response be forthcoming. After all, this is a family publication.
The Tildens not coming is a pity, as one of our places is to be the Western Front in France and Belgium: a region which had some historical significance for “Northern”. Her grandfather had a World War One involvement in this region. We have some homework to conduct here on her behalf.
Hence, our annual pilgrimage to Maitland to fine tune our trip did occur but in presence only. Very little chatting about our trip was undertaken as you could imagine. Just a great deal of stomping grapes at the Ironbark Hill Winery (see the attached photo above).
We will keep them up to date though via Fred's Facebook and my whimsical entries in this journal. The latter being the highlight for all, I am sure !!
Planning and research was primarily conducted by “Fred”. She again proven to be a master with this task: very thorough. Many editions of the trip printed and amended along with countless hours checking out our accommodation and travel times, links and possibilities. Subsequent refinements taking place as time progressed. We did plan our itinerary together however. This trip will be a logistical triumph should it all come off with many connections needed and planned for. Our trusty travel agent up in Maitland, Geoff Antionades also coming to the fore, helping with some finer detail we (Fred) required.
Not many days in the United Kingdom but jam packed with a number of activities of varying significance. Fred has been here previously, so we don’t want to do much revisiting. In most activities, she has been hired as my personal guide. Her only proviso being that she doesn’t have to drive. This I conceded to, as we will be public transport attendees on most occasions.
We did want to be in the Somme and attend the third Centenary celebrations of the ANZAC involvement in World War One back in the 1915-1918 battle and so stretched our ex-Sydney and European exits accordingly. We look very much forward to this part of our trip as we were fortunate to apply to the Australian Government and gain passes to the “ticket only”, ANZAC dawn service. A very restricted invitation list for Australians and ex patriots. We feel rather privileged but anxiously await our tickets to arrive from Canberra confirming our attendance. We have already received some correspondence outlining logistics for the service. It seems to be very well organised. Very tight security appears to be planned.
This day at the small French village of Villers-Bretonneux will be very long as we will need to move to the site early on the morning of April 25th 2018: one of our National Days of extreme significance and so to be overseas and surrounded by many Australians, will be something special indeed albeit to be (expectantly), very cold. To hear the Last Post, to sing our National Anthem etc, will cause the mist to waft past one’s left and right cornea and thereby cause some condensation of the macular regions. No sunglasses needed here to disguise a little Aussie pride.
The site of the service is not all that far from our accommodation in Amiens, France: a deliberate tactic. The Sir John Monash Museum also is to celebrate its official opening. This, costing the Australian taxpayer some $AUD100 million. Still, if it is as half as impressive as what we experienced in Gallipoli, it will be dollars well spent. Bring it on, I say.
Another focus which will be addressed early in our trip, is to be visiting the Rutherford and Parnaby past. The Parnabys are of Viking extract (now you all know where our good looks emanated) and are heavily represented in the city of York in England after “boating” their way across the North Sea. It is from York, that the 3 Brothers Parnaby left, to migrate to the great land “downunder”. Our research shows some commercial enterprises with “Parnaby” in the name: one a pub and the other a saddlery. More about these aspects in subsequent chapters. The Rutherfords go back to when Grandad Rutherford was a lad in the Edinburgh surrounds prior to his migration to Australia by boat. Who would forget about his many Durban (South Africa) rickshaw stories ? All of this unfolding in the early 1900’s.
I am sure it is not the same with many changes being made, but there is a deep urge for me to go there: Fred has been with her elder sister, Jill some years ago. I want to go and see where this much loved rascal grew up and spent much of his youth kicking the odd soccer ball developing his football (soccer) skills which he exported to Australia. I am taking a spare box of Kleenex tissues with me though.
Once we move onto the European continent, we will also be catching up with Regina from Hamelin in Northern Germany (yes, the same place as the one mentioned with “pied piper” fame). I just hope that I don’t get run out of town !! We all met Regina when last in Germany (2016) at Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber. Fred (along with Northern), and Regina have had many contacts since. Regina is endeavouring to master, English.
The Rhine River will also be broached (again): I just have to. Is this a man thing ? I just hope Fred doesn't sing "... old man river ...", when we ferry our way upstream from Koblenz to Rudeshiem along the world heritage section of the river. I may get upset if she does: if not for any other reason that she will probably be "off-key". A celebratory bottle of German Rhine Riesling will have to be consumed along this tract. I guess I had better start convincing Fred of this need: 'one has to wet the baby's head, don't they ?" This will take some "arm twisting", I'm sure.
I guess you would all be wondering why the accompanying photos which have more of a local relevance.
Well, many of our times in which Fred and I actually mused about and planned this trip, were when we went out to Menindee to work with some schools and also trips into the city of Sydney. Menindee is some 1300 kilometres west of Sydney. Positioned in Outback Australia, thank you very much !! I just thought giving you (and us) some pictures from these times would be appropriate. Notice the car accident picture ? We were one of the first on the scene. Just some 5 kilometres west of Wilcannia on our way to Broken Hill. We were held up for a couple of hours while the people were attended to and the Barrier Highway was cleared. A very high impact accident indeed.
Given all of this, Fred would rightly claim all of the credit for this trip: I guess she does qualify for the odd merit certificate or two on this.
It was on this day, that our grandson, Rylee, was named as Vice Captain of his school ......Bert Oldfield Public School in Sydney. Grandma was a very happy-chappette, indeed. We were not surprised at this announcement, as Rylee is developing into a most impressive young lad. He gives his all in everything he does. His younger brother, Cody is also excelling with his little athletics forays.
Our departure is to coincide with the McLean’s and the McDonell’s trip to the Gold Coast’s Commonwealth Games. With the McLeans then venturing off north to Cairns. A great experience for the grandchildren indeed. Perhaps, not so for our little petite Amber. She will probably just cough and smile her way through .... a private family joke . Both of us will eagerly watch their experiences as we travel in distant places. Hopefully many gold medals for the Aussies are waiting. “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi.”
Grandma will also “pine” for her grandchildren as well, so the obligatory contact back home will be undertaken, I am sure.
As has been the case in the past, a very comprehensive itinerary will be distributed for all to monitor and follow. Hopefully, a learning experience for all the younger ones and a discussion starter around the table as the grey nomads cause havoc in Europe. Young Noah had already expressed some interest as he was studying a Dutch Artist Ton Shulten. He knew that The Netherlands was “somewhere near where you will be”. Not bad geographic skills from a six year old. No prizes for guessing where these supreme skills emanate from .....cough, cough !!
Some 6 weeks on the travel trail with many new experiences coming our way and to whet our appetites for later trips to come. Planning and suggestions for the 2019 version already being tabled and discussed. Some met with a little angst, while others less so. Perhaps it’s time to retrace some of the past ? A few more cups of coffee, croissants or even bagels are needed to get this together and “over the line”.
Finally, we were recently informed about the sad passing of our good friend Deepak. He guided our two (2) Indian experiences which will remain with all of us for an enduring time: his legacy has been profound. A true Indian gentleman. May he Rest In Peace.
Gay
2018-03-29
Great intro, quick spell/grammar/punctuation check only came up with a fullstop after from in the paragraph about Noah and the artist.
Ann Croot
2018-03-29
Are you serious, that would take me 3 years to think and type without errors
Geoff
2018-03-29
Gay...I have given my friend at customs a heads up that Ian is on his way out of the country. He assures me that Ian will feel no pain during the cavity search.
Kathii Langadinos
2018-03-29
Your trip sounds wonderful; especially the dawn service for ANZAC. When you are in Amiens no doubt you will visit the Victoria Primary School which was partly built by donations from school children in Victoria (Australia). You will be greeted by a most wonderful sign saying "Don't Forget Australia" - enough to bring tears to your eyes. The statue of the Aussie digger in the middle of town shows how much the people of Amiens revere Australians; truly magnificent! Enjoy your trip!
Fran & Dave
2018-04-02
Have a wonderful trip and travel safe!