Michael was a surfie. He began his surfing adventures in Grinder's Kombi with up to six young blokes piling in to chase the surf. A few years later, having obtained his driver's license, he would set off in his blue panel van and meet up Down South with all manner of Scaly Mates. This afternoon, he was regaling me with a tale of a bunch of them miserably sheltering in the Yallingup public toilets during a winter storm, with only their clothes to soften the wooden benches.
So, here we are, in the wilds of the Yallingup region, on a mini break from our responsibilities in the East End Gallery. Michael and Kim have worked non-stop on the entire Forbes Building since the beginning of January, which houses the Gallery, the Artisan Space (soon to be occupied by the Yarn Barn) two other shops and Michael's Studio, Collection and Workshop.
The Forbes Building is our ninety-seven year old structure on our main drag, next to the pharmacy, that was desperately needing further renovation after Michael's outstanding efforts between 2012 and 2016. She (yes, the Forbes Building is a 'she') has been the third partner in our marriage, causing us grief and frustration, but ultimately pride and joy. The latest restoration will keep her in good stead. The next big project is transforming part of the original residence into a habitable accommodation unit that we hope to rent out. Stay tuned!
Anyway, I've digressed. Over the last weeks, my get up and go has been rapidly failing. The last few days, it got up and left. I just felt I had nothing left to give to anybody. Michael was also in need of a break from the amazing progress he and Kim have achieved. We made the decision that an early autumn sojourn away from Beverley was just the ticket. So, we retraced Michael's memories to Yallingup.
We were also lucky enough to be able to meet up with Cal, Bron and our beautiful Grandies enroute. We have very little opportunity to snatch more than a couple of hours with them on any given rendezvous, so being able to see them (off and on) yesterday and today was just magic.
This morning, Michael and I met our family for brunch at the excellent Yallingup General Store and Cafe. The place was packed. We duly received some wonderful food, which we devoured at a table and benches inside the "Secret Garden" next door and watched the girls play, surrounded by the magnificent trees.
After I'd finished, and the family had gone, I wandered back into the General Store to look for the unusual or the alternative item to remember our stay in Yallingup. I thought I'd hit the jackpot...
On an entire shelf were small boxes of Sex Wax. I wasn't sure what to think. Then, I considered that given Yallingup's reputation to being a bit different, perhaps Sex Wax was not out of the ballpark. Having read all the information I could find, including that Sex Wax could be used on "your stick", I thought I would buy a box as a souvenir, believing that we could use the substance in some night time hanky-panky.
My naivety was laid bare for the entire General Store to see. Not having ever been a surfie girl was my downfall. Needless to say, in spite of the title, this wax had nothing to do with any risque foreplay in the bedroom. Sex Wax was for using on one's surfboard...
Which shows that at the age of sixty-four, I still have more to learn. And you know what, if we can't laugh at ourselves in this kind of situation, then life would not be half as much fun!
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