We returned yesterday afternoon from a wonderful and surprisingly hectic overnight stay in the Big Smoke. We embarked on an almost spur-of-the-moment decision to attend the "Meet The Artist" evening presentation of Shane's Moad's exhibition at the Pan-Pacific Hotel in the city. So, clutching a change of clothes and our toothbrushes, we set off to stay the night in a salubrious establishment. Via Northam, of course.
We had a prior engagement booked with Richard, the other half of the GP couple who are the Spencers. We have warmed to Richard as well as Stephanie, who has shown himself to be compassionate and attentive, with a wickedly dry sense of humour.
After being stabbed by the cheerful practice nurse Janice administrating our Flu vaccines, we spent a brisk and entertaining appointment with Richard for scripts and test results. Then, at last, we hurtled down the hill towards the city.
Into the Pan-Pacific lobby, we felt distinctly like a pair of country hicks. Checking in was almost beyond me. I was totally out of my comfort zone. We progressed to our room, which was comfortable and pleasant, on the tenth floor. After a lightning change, Michael into black and me into a frock, we decided to hang the expense and have a pre-event drink in one of the bars.
The uber-swish Uma bar seemed liked The Place To Be. Intending to have a margarita, my eyes fell onto the description of a Singapore Sling in the menu. I'd actually had a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel in January 2003. With the first delicious sip, I was transported back to tropical delights. And I completely understood how easily one could become rather partial to them.
Across the lobby was Shane's exhibition. The unambiguous clarity of his subject matter was evident in every painting. The wealthy and influential were rubbing shoulders with some of Beverley's Hillbillies. As Mister Spock would say "Fascinating...!"
Two of Shane's brothers were in attendance. Scott, an artist in his own right, was there, looking unassumingly like an artist, casually dressed. Craig, Shane's other brother made an entrance to remember. Resplendent in a purple suit and vest with a purple and white shirt and kaleidoscope patterned shoes, Craig certainly wasn't going to be mistaken as a shrinking violet.
Child Bride Val was there, chatting up the punters, along with her Mum and Dad, daughter Becky and son Ethan and daughter-in-law Sherrin. The champagne flowed, somebody found Michael a red vino after sustained begging, the canapes divine and the conversation lively. And Shane's art was wowing the audience. Before long, a red sticker was attached to a painting... the buyer was thrilled.
Following a most enjoyable evening, we retired to the Peruvian restaurant, Uma, for dinner. Along with three outstanding tasting plates, we took another plunge and ordered our first Peruvian cocktail. I have absolutely no idea as to the ingredients but the intense lemon sherbet liquid bliss knocked our socks off.
The bed was sumptuous, except it was too big. We slept fitfully, aware of the bright city lights and the lack of open windows. Waking relatively early, we adjourned to the breakfast buffet, then last ablutions before we checked out. On being asked by reception if everything in our room at the Pan-Pacific had been satisfactory, I divulged that the hot water had taken the length of my shower to actually heat up.
What a response! Our overnight parking became free, a service fee was waived and the KitKat Michael had devoured out of the Mini Bar was suddenly no charge as well. Thank you to the Pan-Pacific reception.
We headed for home, detouring for a mountain of shopping. Upon arrival, the Canine Clowns were deliriously happy to see us. The Pirate Parrot just about blew up, but Madame Cat was nowhere to be seen.
We were given a full report by Jan later. She'd given the dogs their dinner. She knew I'd medicated every pet for Wednesday. She'd returned yesterday morning. The dogs were playing musical beds. She spied the pink antibiotics labelled for Ruby and assumed the tablets were for the cat. They weren't...
Jan was horrified and apologetic. "I thought the tablets were a bit big for the cat", she wailed. She had managed to stuff three-quarters of a hefty tablet down the throat of our four-kilogramme cat. No wonder Her Majesty was Missing In Action.
We managed to corner the outraged feline this morning and deliver her normal medication - a quarter of a tiny tablet for her blood pressure. However, it appears that a massive blast of an antibiotic (the Problem Child weighs four times as much) has done the cat no harm. She will now probably outlive us all.
Back to normal in the East End Gallery today. Or what passes as normal in the East End gallery...Stay tuned!
The artist, on location...
The ultra-(un)boring Moad family...
"Early Morning Water Tank"
The Pan Pacific, Perth
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