Back in the Dark Ages, Nescafe Blend 43 came up with the bright idea that there were forty-three (coffee) beans in every cup. How they decided on exactly forty-three beans is a complete mystery to me. If anybody can enlighten me with their knowledge of this trivia, please do so.
I actually worked out that we spent forty-three hours with our beloved Imogen, Callum, Bron and of course, Ragnar the sociopath Ragdoll cat. The long weekend in the Gallery had been a frenetic whirling dervish with wonderful guests, an outstanding sundowner, plenty of enthusiasm and brisk sales thrown in for good measure. Last to visit on Monday was one of our artists, Lorraine Pichugin and her husband John. We decided to postpone conversation with them until lunch time Wednesday. Then we unceremoniously tossed them out of the East End Gallery. The reason? Three o'clock was fast approaching and we wished to pack up and push off to the Big Smoke.
I know we normally loathe any excursion to the city. However, we were shattered after the weekend and needed a break. So we set off in Lily with the back seat packed to the gunnels and left all dogs, cats and the bird under the tender ministrations of friend Jodi. The thought of being able to cuddle each other in bed, without any four-legged fiends, was intoxicating. Our destination was the home of our Grandtoddler.
We arrived just after five-thirty. We unpacked enough luggage for an expedition to the Amazon, settled into their guest room and launched forward into drinks, laughter, dinner and plenty of re-bonding with Immy. I have vowed to see her more regularly as she didn't really remember us.
Callum's Panko crumbed Japanese chicken breasts were an absolute triumph. From a young man who grudgingly received "Cooking for Idiots" when he left home, he has blossomed into an urbane, adventurous and exacting chef. Like any other passion Cal chooses to follow, he had incredibly high standards and great expectations. Michael, Bron and I were the fortunate recipients of another of his fantastic dinners.
We slept remarkably well. Being unaccompanied in the boudoir was a new experience. We did not hurry out of bed. Callum created another culinary treat - fried eggs infused with basil pesto, bacon that was neither dry nor sodden, with bagels. Following that masterpiece, we should have carried out some energetic exercise. But instead, whilst Imogen was napping, Michael and I watched the Swedish version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". We enjoyed the movie immensely and felt that the Swedish version was superior to the American version. Why? The characters seemed less pretty, more damaged and utterly believable to us. Five stars.
After Immy woke up, we walked around the streets and parks of Banksia Grove. She ran with gay abandon through one of the parks and we had some exercise. This was thoroughly enjoyable and gave us an appetite for dinner at the Ashby Bar and Bistro.
Michael and I shared the Ashby's Tasting Plate, which was a marvellous collection of different tastes and textures. We returned home, so Imogen would have a good night's sleep before Cal and I took her at a SciTech incursion at the local Child Health Centre. Bron retired to bed, I worked on my laptop whilst the "boys" unzipped their man suits and feasted on an action comedy from a streaming service.
Next morning, Cal and I embarked to the SciTech incursion. Marketed as being for children from 1-5 years, their focus was too sophisticated at the beginning. Little girls of twenty-one months are not adept at sitting on the mat unless given something to do. Immy was not going to listen to talk without action for any length of time. Their opening spiel complete, the SciTech reps were engaged with all the children and had brought a variety of different activities.
Immy had a wonderful time, Callum showed off his skills as a Super Daddy and I just enjoyed the whole spectacle. What a difference from when I'd been the mum in a similar situation. Now, as Nanny Kate, I could relax, not stress, not be bothered by behaviours and immerse myself in this experience. I wished I'd been able to tell some of the mothers there to just chill, not worry and allow their kids to be kids, even if they were mildly obnoxious. I felt that being a mum in that environment was vaguely unfair for some of them as they believed they needed to micro manage their children, rather than just letting them be.
Returning to their home, we kissed Immy goodbye as she prepared for her nap. Stacking the car again, we farewelled Cal and Bron and turned south towards Lorraine and John's house for lunch. Spoiled again with a fantastic spread, we stayed for a couple of hours before reluctantly hitting the road. Shopping for me, researching the cost of safety gear for Michael's workshop took up the rest of the afternoon. We eventually arrived home at seven o'clock after an action packed two days.
A quiet sojourn? Not really. But we loved every second of being with Callum, Bronwyn and Miss Imogen Ivy.
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