Grandma's Nod of Approval

It’s a family tradition that my mother’s mother, Marie (or Marnie to me), spends her birthday on an island paradise. However, Samoa is not usually on the itinerary. This year though, for her 84th birthday, Marnie did it. For five days, she accompanied my mum, Jill, for an adventure on a new island paradise.

As assistant chaperone to Isabel on the flight over, Marnie gushed with positivity and optimism for this novel experience. And why not? She got to celebrate her birthday, 22nd January 2010, twice!

Despite the late night and beyond the creature-comforts of Aggie Greys Hotel, she joined us for an evening on Salamumu Beach at Samoana ‘Resort’. The relatively basic accommodation and rock hard pawpaw at breakfast did not dim her excitement, and while she decided not to brave the hammocks for fear of involuntary entrapment, she was thoroughly enthusiastic about this slightly more authentic Samoan experience.

We cut our beachside getaway short to head back to Apia so I could play in an Australia day cricket match against a Samoan team. Despite being billed as one of Samoa’s best batsmen, I fell short of all expectations by getting out first ball! Since we’d agreed to give grace to those out first ball, I was given a second chance. I promptly got out second ball as well!! To a guy in his 60s…Yet, Marnie was still complimentary.

Church on Sunday was followed by a driving tour of the tsunami-affected areas, in the rain. Jill and Marnie planned to piece together bits of our family history, prompted again undoubtedly by their visit to the Robert Louis Stephenson museum the following day. His writings and influence are certainly an inspiration.

The wild, windy and wet weather kept me busy at work, but I finished the evening sick in bed. Four days travelling with my 84-year-old grandmother and I was the one flat on my back...! Maybe she’s still got a few things to teach me… Oh, to have a similar exuberance at her age… Fortunately, my Samoan life (and my wife) received her nod of approval.

Next year though, it’ll be back to Marnie’s original island paradise, Lord Howe Island. Come 22nd January 2011, I can only imagine the compliments that are to gush forth…

Relaxed Christmas Break in Australia

Rather than go into the intimate details of our 3-week trip to Sydney and Canberra, here’s a highlights package…

Date Night 1: a surprise meal at the Park Hyatt in the Rocks, complete with stroll over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Christmas Day: started with surfing, progressed to family present-opening (Isabel did particularly well!), church and a relatively small family gathering at our place. While it was low-key, unlike some of the Christmas lights we’d seen the night before, it was still special.

Hang-gliding: not really an adrenalin-charged extreme adventure, but enjoyable nonetheless. Heather, Will and I casually walked off the cliffs at Stanwell Park (south of Sydney), accompanied by a guide and a hang-glider. Perfect summer conditions made the whole day out with the family, including picnic lunch on Austinmer Beach, a definite highlight.

‘Wicked’ Musical: spontaneously purchased matinee (1pm) tickets for the extreme back corner of the Capitol Theatre in Sydney was inspired. One of the best musicals Heather, Isabel and I have seen, with its clever take on the ‘Wizard of Oz’ story exploring the nature of good and evil.

New Years Eve: an afternoon picnic on the grassy slopes near Fairlight Beach, with 9pm fireworks off Manly Cove, followed by midnight fireworks on the roof of the family home.

Food, food, food: unsurprisingly, food was a highlight, both in Sydney with my family and also in Canberra with Heather’s family. Mmmm… cheese… Heather and Isabel made an amazing gingerbread house. We even had food thrown at us, tepanyaki-style…

Bella Fella time: quality Mike-Isabel bonding time was had at Cockington Green. We were wide-eyed at the intricate miniature scenes and later gorged ourselves on food and lollies (don’t worry, a salad was also on the menu!).

Date Night 2: two lots of flowers (one purchased, one home-made by Isabel) greeted Heather at the door. I was there too. Beautiful food and company once again…

Chillaxing: between family-bonding time, shopping and eating, there was plenty of chilling and relaxation time. Interesting reading and mesmerising TV (Russell on ‘Survivor’ and yet another great escape in the Sydney cricket test)!