Warrnambool & Melbourne

22nd October - 26th October 2016

We have had Granny in our lives for so long that we thought she would be with us forever. But, the day had to come when she would leave us. And it did while we were at Cape Range National Park. With no phone or internet reception. Being so far away from family at this time was very difficult. So, after multiple calls from the public phone at the Information Centre 20 klms from our camp, flights were arranged from Exmouth to Perth, Perth to Melbourne. Then the train from Melbourne to Warrnambool. A 24 hour sojourn. To be surrounded by family, share all our memories, and to say a final farewell to my Gran was worth every minute.

 I arrived into Melbourne at midnight and thought I would hang in the Qantas Lounge until catching the Skybus into the city to get the 7.00 am train. Well...the domestic terminal closes at midnight and re-opens at 5.00am. I stood in front of the closed doors and cried. OK....just have to find a quiet bench somewhere. Managed to push two chairs together in a closed Bar. Felt like a homeless bag lady ha ha!

The only bag I had to travel with was my Woollies shopping bag - stylish!

7.00 am train to Warrnambool. Not this old beauty though.

Almost there. Looking towards the Hopkins River where Granny lived for 35 years.

With my younger brother Simon, Jenni and Mum going through piles of photos.

Simon and Meg and myself ready to say farewell to Granny.

When my family came to Australia in 1962, Gran and Grandad followed 18 months later. We all lived together in Sydney until 1973, when we moved to Warrnambool, Vic.

Growing up I thought it was the norm to have your Grandparents in the same house. How fortunate to have that Grandma love on tap. Nothing was ever too much bother for her when it came to her grandchildren. For me, she would spend countless hours turning the skipping rope. One end tied to the fence, singing rhymes. Her arm must have ached! Every school holidays she would do a treasure hunt with notes all over the place. The first note would be on the kitchen table - go to the letterbox. And off we would run. Another note go to the lemon tree. And on and on. Having us running from one end of the place to the other. The end prize a jar of boiled lollies to share!

So I thought I would share some photos of Lena Mitchell - 1912 to 2016. 104 years. What a remarkable life.

 Gran with her three sisters and mother, Kate. She was the youngest (centre)

Lena & George Mitchell married on December 5th 1936.

Around 1942 Granny joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade. She loved this and became a group leader. During the war she would be on roster to attend the local cinema in uniform, complete with bandages etc in case of air raids.

1957 with her Father, Grandad Fred, my Mum and older brother Lawry.

On holidays with Grandad, Lawry and myself.

Three generations. Taken at Lawry and Chris' wedding in 1979.

Taken at Joel's Christening in 1980 with Grandad.

Dez and I lived in Warrnambool for 12 months when Joel was born in 1980. Granny wanted an English pram, so we were happy to oblige. She was thrilled to say the least. We both became well known around town.

Granny has always loved motorbikes. Any opportunity she would hop on the back of an available ride.

 1984 with Joel and Justin in front of Gran's unit on the Hopkins River, Warrnambool.

Christmas 1988 with all her Grandchildren.

Meg and Granny in their Salvation Army uniforms after becoming Soldiers.

100 Granny. We all thought this was an amazing birthday. But she went on to have four more!

 The last time I hugged my precious Gran. March this year before heading off on our amazing adventure around Australia. With my brother Lawry. It was the hardest goodbye I have ever had to do. Knowing it would be the last time I would see her, and have an all encompassing Grandma hug.

This photo was taken one week before Granny passed away. It was taken just after her and Mum sang happy birthday to me. What a wonderful memory to keep close to my heart. I love that she is on her iPad right to the end!


The celebration of her life was a wonderful service, followed by a private burial. The sun shone down on us all as we laid our dear Granny to rest. Followed by drinks and dinner, of course.

Justin made a flying visit to attend also. A huge effort leaving at 5.00am from Brisbane to fly to Melbourne, then a three hour drive to arrive in time for the funeral. The next morning Justin and I left for Melbourne and the long trek back to Queensland and W.A. It was so, so good to hug him close after 7 months.

Justin's flight was at 10.00am but mine not until 9.00 pm. So off to the city for the day!

Melbourne put on a gorgeous sunny day. On the tram up into the City.

The hub of activity in Melbourne. Flinders Street Station.

 Chinatown.

So many beautiful old churches and buildings.

Joel arranged an amazing lunch for me at OmNom. The pastry chef, to quote Joel, is a Rockstar of deserts. And he wasn't wrong.

For Main a selection of tasting plates that were incredibly tasty.

Desert wasn't just something sweet. it was an experience. First the ashtray of raspberry berry and chocolate crumb placed before me. Then came the cigar box, which was closed. On opening, a small cloud of wood smoke escaped to reveal a chocolate and rosemary mousse cigar coated in chocolate. Decadent.

And to take away, a selection of handmade truffles! An absolute feast.

 I walked for miles through the lanes and arcades. Melbourne has such a great vibe.

Had to take this one for our grandson - Jaxson Young.

Federation Square and the Museum. In one of the halls a Quilting Exhibition. Quilts from 1850 - 1920. Most of them created by either convicts or women immigrating to Australia. The needlework is staggering. This is just a few.

 These squares are about 2cm square. The quilt was a double bed cover.

The dainty stitching is so neat. This is a section of an incredible dressing gown (below).

Another section of the dressing gown.

Another restaurant stop - The French Saloon, to visit Todd Moses who used to play in-line hockey with Joel and Justin as teenagers. He is the Head Chef there. An amazing restaurant in Little Bourke Street. A couple of glasses of very nice Tassie bubbles, and a sensational fish meal to send me on my way back to Western Australia.

Another epic journey, arriving in Perth 11.30pm local time which was 2.30am on my Melbourne time. Missed the Shuttle to the city for my overnight stay. Cried again. Got in a taxi, to the hotel and collapsed into bed. The next morning, a 2 klm walk to the shuttle bus stop to catch the last leg back to Exmouth and my Dezzi. We have not had more than a couple of hours apart since starting this trip. I was desperate to give him a big fat cuddle.

Flying out of Perth.

Almost there. Amazing ocean.

Dezzi was at the airport all packed up and ready to hit the road again!