It's now been 6 days back in Oz and we are starting to get back to some normality. I am unable to work out if it is jet lag or just plain laziness but by afternoon I am having trouble keeping my eyes open but come bed time and I'm wide awake and bright eyed.
I look back on the trip with very mixed emotions. The highs were unbelievably high but there were some equally incredible lows. I have listed some of these events in previous posts on the blog but have kept some of the downs secret. As I look back I am satisfied that the highs well and truly overshadow the lows. The true significance of that statement will become more clear shortly.
To have met so many relations who had been nothing more than names, and in quite a few cases not even that, was a wonderful blessing. Without exception I, make that we, were instantly made to feel welcome and part of the family. Going to meet so many 'new' family members can be a bit daunting, we are all from different life styles, different customs, different backgrounds, different surroundings and you can never be sure how we all will react with one another. All of my concerns about this were a complete waste of energy. I am truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful family, both paternal and maternal. None of the lows could come close to dampening that wonderful feeling. Two years in a row now I have met family from the other side of the globe and in every case I have come away with the same wonderful feeling. What more can I say.
Also to have visited the places where so many of my ancestors lived and worked was great. I will never cease to be a 'Dinky Di Aussie' nor will I ever have any desire to live anywhere else. I do not know if it is physcological, emotional, genetic or imagination but I did feel a bonding with the Suffolk countryside, especially the smaller villages. This was especially so when I visited some of the Churches where significant events in our family history occurred. There were times when I did feel a 'presence', maybe I'm losing the plot! As I said I have no desire to go back there to live but still did feel a kind of sadness when it was time to leave. Maybe it is a good thing I had to leave!
There was also the visit to the area of Cambridgeshire where Ann's ancestors came from. In the area around St. Neots. I know that was very special for Ann but I also thoroughly enjoyed that occasion. Now that can't be genetic but maybe it was a transmission from Ann and her pleasure in going to those places. This was certainly another high.
The Lows started before we had disembarked the 747 at Heathrow on our arrival. I refer to the failure of the air-bridge and the wait for suitable stairs to be found and brought to the aircraft. It was only an hour or so but seemed longer. I will now list the lows without dwelling on them. Suffice to say that their effects will soon be behind us, I hope!
Hire car scraped by someone unknown in shopping centre car park on the day of arrival.
Lost (temporarily thankfully) car keys.
Broken dental plate (3 times!)
Loss of 290 pounds in cash.
Car accident when hit from behind at traffic lights.
Broken screen on lap top computer.
Theft of my credit card at a ATM (teller machine)
Fraudulent withdrawal of over $1800 Australian from my account.
But by far the worst feature was the effects of Ann's failing eyesight. Because of this she was continually terrified by the sudden appearance and the apparent closeness and speed of other traffic. This made any car travel a most uncomfortable experience for her and her obvious tension and concerns had their effect on me. It also had the effect of shortening time we spent with family on occasions. To those affected by this I can only say sorry but thank you one and all for your acceptance of us and our 'ways'.
The final chapter of all this will unfold over the next few weeks as I have dealings with insurance companies. There I go again, probably worrying unnecessarily!
My final overview of the trip? I wouldn't have missed it for quids and the memories will be with me for the rest of my days. Thank you one and all for making it such a great time in my/our lives.
I am typing this with the lap top plugged into a monitor (borrowed from son in law Peter) but on Monday it will have to go in to get a quote for repairs. I am led to believe that it could be in the vicinity of $1000. Obviously it is still working with the exception of the screen which has the most amazing mosaic patten.
Until the next post, love to all. Dave and Ann
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