Intro by Greg, the rest by Tren
Introduction
Below are Trenna’s notes of a 4 day break we had in 2015. We had booked a house just outside the small but delightful town of Bridgetown, in the South West corner of Western Australia. It is about a 3 hour drive from our place. Oh, and Bridgetown can be cold!
I’ll tell you up front that the story is not a remarkable one. It reminds me of a Japanese movie or novel. There are people in it, and they do moderately interesting things, but there is no real climax.
But the story is accurately recorded and at times just reminds us that Trenna’s various medical issues often had an impact on her life.
Despite the medical hiccups (which we both experienced) I still remember it as a very pleasant break from the regular routine.
A couple of background pieces of information may be helpful. My Dad had died in May of that year, quite suddenly, but at age 96. As Trenna’s story starts we have just gathered with my siblings for a commemorative breakfast barbecue and to distribute his ashes among the 5 children.
Also, in that year I had developed a “stomach problem” that Trenna refers to. It wasn’t correctly diagnosed as gall stones until December that year.
I should also warn you that Trenna doesn’t record anything for the last day. I suspect we just packed and drove home, then unpacked, and then were exhausted!
Here’s the story as I found it in Trenna’s iPad.
BRIDGETOWN
Getaway at Reflections House on the Lake
Arrive: Sun 13/9/15, 5:30
Depart: Thur 17/9/15, 10:00
Sunday 13/9/15
Left home about 2 PM. Long uncomfortable drive for me. Bad on back & neck.
I’m not in good fettle after four events in three days including the Mahney breakfast today @ Ag’s in memory of Dad, spread ashes amongst roses & then each portioned a Chinese takeaway container of ashes.
Found Greg’s driving stressful in particular in the late arvo driving through tree lined winding roads that strobed sinking sunlight in stark contrast between shadow & glare. Eye strain unbearable!
We had had nothing to eat since breakfast except for a banana to share en route, we had left home without having a cuppa & neither of us drank enough water along the way.
We arrived in Bridgetown around 5:00. It was very cold. Greg couldn’t figure out how to use the, hidden in the BBQ, combination lock box which held the house keys. We had no mobile reception so drove to the nearest hill, almost connected to Ally, our host, but not quite enough to ask for help. Drove back to the house, I had a jiggle of the combo lock, something moved then Greg finally had success!
Hosts need a can of WD40 on hand for their visitors.
In the house not long before 6:00!
We did a recce of the house turned on the reverse cycle air conditioning as well as a pretend fire, electric bar heater & light in the main bedroom. Greg unpacked the car.
Greg set & lit the slow combustion fire & then he had first shower then helped me as the taps were stiff, too tricky. Much to my annoyance, I discovered that I didn’t pack my shower cap, the shower floor was quite slippery, my hair was getting wet so Greg helped by pumping Sorbolene for me.
We had brought some supplies from home for dinner – sausages in Madeira sauce (from our freezer), Greg mashed potato with a fork & steamed some broccoli. A warm wintery meal with wine to relax.
We watched E7 & 8 S4 of Game of Thrones via my laptop on a dud SONIQ TV which kept on losing the signal but after a number of up & downs by Greg to the computer, we eventually did get to watch the entire episodes. Late to bed.
Luckily we brought our electric blanket from home. Mental note: consider this again & always bring own pillows the ones here are soft & flat, not good on our necks.
Monday 14/9/15
A relaxing recovery day in.
Greg bought @ Bridgetown IGA T-bone steak, avocado, mixed leaf. Paul Newman classic salad dressing
Dinner @ our retreat – REFLECTIONS BY THE LAKE – BBQ steak, oven chips, mix leaf mixed dress salad. OK, steak a bit heavy going for me.
We watched the last 2 episodes (E9 & 10) of Game Of Thrones Season 4.
Tuesday 15/9/15
Greg drove into the town to buy 2 flat whites from the Barking Cow Cafe & 2 large white, seeded, knot rolls from the bakery.
10:00 we drove into town. Roadworks are happening along Hampton Street, main strip of Bridgey. Lots of noisy machinery, dust and lollipop men.
We spent 2 1/2 hours wandering around the streets and exploring numerous gift shops, 2nd hand shops and the like. We bought a white china butter dish for about $16.
Lunch at home, we had the large hobnob rolls which Greg had bought earlier with ham/beef, cheese, salad and mustards. We had a cuppa while playing a game of words with friends. WWF.
4:00-ish we went for a 30 min ramble around the property. We explored some of the outbuildings . We crossed to the opposite side of the lake carefully watching our feet, over a partly repaired wooden slatted bridge but some of the timber was still in need of repair. We squelched our way through a damp, lightly wooded, flat leaf weeded and strewn paperback incline.
Took some pics, trying to take selfies without falling down the hill in the process. As usual the same problem Greg’s head big, my head small covering the house and the fountain in the middle of the lake. Pretty little walk very tranquil listening to the honking geese, perhaps also frogs which sounded like banjos, chortling ducks & birds twittering.
We drove into town for dinner. We were going to eat at the Freemasons pub but it was dark, closed! So we crossed the road and went to the Bridgetown Hotel. We had a good meal for a pub. Greg had the “Western Australia’s most popular pub meal”, chicken Parma and I had a smokey paprika lamb, Jalapeño, tzatziki sauce pizza, both were tasty meals. Greg had a Stellar Artois beer and I had a glass of New Zealand Pinot Gris.
Then we drove home and watch the program Greg had brought along called Better Call Saul. I fell asleep.
Wednesday 16/9/15
Greg went to town and bought some coffee. We decided to have a bacon and eggs and tomato breakfast today. Not long after breakfast he started to not feel well, his stomach issue. He took some Mylanta did some meditation and then went and sat in the sun on the decking patio over the lake. He still was not right until gone 10:30 so came and took another tablet. It’s now 11 and he’s still not recovered.
We packed a thermos and headed out for a drive to Bridgetown Jarrah Park. About 10 km out of town along winding rally like roads. Picturesque farming scenery with grazing cattle & sheep undulating green pastures.
When we arrived at the bush park there was another car and they were playing loud music. Greg put my boots on me and then put his on and then off we went on a 1 1/4 hour walk initially descending and having to come climbing the path.
The Ranger came as we were returning to our car we both had a loo stop and drove home to have soup for lunch at 4 o’clock.
End of Trenna’s iPad entry.