Pietje - november (Oz)

near waterfall near waterfall tea with granddad beach house back to previous page

In the middle of November, we travelled to Australia to have me meet mum's family. My mum and I could stay 2 months, while dad had to return after 3 weeks. The flight out was smooth. I did not sleep much, but did not cry much either and my parents got some rest.

Granma Leonie picked us up from the airport and after a night at her place in Koo Wee Rup, we went to the beach house along the great ocean road for four nights. This house, much larger than our flat in London and not even the largest we would visit, allowed my to crawl around everywhere and for example pull myself up at the coffee table. I was even allowed to do this in the middle of the night as I could convince my parents I was still a bit jet-lagged. We did a number of walks. Of course we walked along the beach, but it was overcast and we decided against swimming. The next walk was to a waterfall near Lorne. I enjoyed sitting in the rucksack or playing around near the stream or the more serious business of having lunch. Finally we went for a walk behind the beach house, with some rests and a beautiful view on the beach, with Lorne in the distance and the house near dad's chin, at the end.

grass 4G

We went back to Koo Wee Rup for our first weekend in Oz. On Saturday we had a little party at great aunt Jo's place for friends and family from the Bick side. I met granddad and his side of the family. On Sunday, we had a party with the family from grandma Leonie to celebrate great grandma's 90th birthday, hooray! We sat together with the family and all watched the big cake being cut. Before the party, I had already briefly met her at her place for a four generations picture.

bath dool

The next day my parents drove up to Bendoc while I caught up on some sleep. Bendoc was great fun. My first joy was to crawl screeching up to the little dog, know as "the dool", who would not know what to do except moving to another side of the room, where I could chase her again. During our stay, we gradually got more used to each other and tolerated closer company. Another joy was the laundry basin in which I would have my daily bath. I could stand up or fool around, while my parents would stand watch. Yet another joy was the grass, on which I could crawl around or up to the camera. Inside the house, I would fine little corners, like the one next to the chopping boards, which I could crawl into. I quite enjoyed the dishwasher: I would happily make my way from the living room to the kitchen if I heard it being opened. Later on, I would compare it to auntie Jo's machine. Finally, in Bendoc I could play with all mum's old toys, for example this xylophone; note my three upper teeth.

open mond dishwasher Bendoc

My parents and granddad also had a good time with me. Most days, it was nice weather, so I could drink tea with granddad, sit on his lap or have coffee with my parents. Because of the flies, we would have our lunch inside, while at dinner time we would be inside for the light and warmth. We would go for walks, for example in the back paddock or in the bush on the Cotton Wood track, where we would stop for my lunch or pears with mum. pears with mum dinner with mum

After eight nights, we drove back to Melbourne, with a few stops to crawl around, in order to stay with great aunt Jo and great uncle Pete in Surrey Hills. I enjoyed yet another kitchen, playing with auntie or pulling myself up on the chest. All pictures after that will have to wait till mum's return mid January or any unforeseen access to a broadband connection.

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