SURPRISES.

 

Tottie. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this, freedom from work and flying to Western Australia. I’ve never been out of Europe, and to be down under during their summer has got to be experienced even with all those spiders and snakes. Charley has insisted that I stay with them in Bunbury and that I keep my arrival a secret from Tom. I can’t wait to see the look on his face.

Tom. There's something afoot, I can tell. Christmas day was fine no nasty surprises there, too much food and insufficient discipline to resist it, but Charley just loves a surprise and I think it has something to do with our planned trip to Bremer Bay. I’ve had a look on line, and the latest thing on offer was whale watching day trips. That's eight hours at sea, fifty miles off shore and the Southern Ocean can be rough. I really don’t want to spend a day feeling sick with a boatload of whale hunting tourists. I may have to grin and bear it. Another piece of my artwork was hung shortly before Christmas, a present from Charley to Lara for their 25th anniversary. The needlework still life I consider to be one of my best, and I’m delighted it now hangs in their home. There are quite a few other works here, which makes the place feel even more like a home from home, but it’s the back of the kitchen door, a piece of artwork in itself, where my height is recorded along with the children and other friends that really places me here.