June 11, 2016
Travel day for me! I got up very early, and went with Michelle to work. I took some coffee to betty, fell, had to get a new coffee, and delivered the brew to her. I swear, I have never drank so much coffee myself. Stacy came by to have a cup with me while I was waiting. Finally, around 8:30, I started walking to the train station.
I walked all the way fairly quickly. Watch out, my dear fellow peregrinos (pilgrims), I’m getting ready for next summer now! Once I got there, I still had 90 minutes for the train, so I went down to Peel St. and got my watch fixed.
Finally, it was time to board the train. I was on the way to Brisbane. I sat next to a delightful 85 year old man, who talked my ear off the whole way. I can’t really tell you what we talked about. Any and everything. He was very knowledgeable, and just a joy. His wife is very lucky!
I got off the train at Maitland. This is, by my guess, a bit larger than Tamworth, but just as old. I had 4 hours to kill, so I walked downtown and found a small mall, where I got a kebab. Yum. I then wandered back to the train, and sat for about an hour reading my book and waiting for the train.
Let me tell you, the train was well worth the wait. I had booked a first class sleeper car. Now I want everyone to not worry. I have not blown the bank. I spent $400 for a Discovery pass, which gave me 1st class passage wherever I wanted to go. Just another $88 bought me a sleeper car, and it was well worth it. I was met at the door of the car by the nicest young man who was the porter, and he immediately handed me a brown paper sack that said “Sleeper Night Snack”. It had water and various munchies in it. I didn’t have to share my cabin, and didn’t even have to turn down my bed. When I was ready to go to bed, just push a button, and they were there instantly to turn down the bed. I also had a semi-private toilet. Source of Joy.
I had a good night sleep, and awoke to fresh raisin toast and coffee at 4 am when we arrived in Brisbane
June 12, 2016
Arrived at 4:53 am, and hopped a train to the airport, where I rented my car. I then drove to Surfers Paradise. Actually, my final destination was Chevron Island, just over the bridge from SP.
This has been the hardest day of the trip. John lived here on Chevron when we met. The first thing I did was drive past the location where his apartment was. To my shock, it is still there. We both thought it had been bulldozed years ago for a big house, but that wasn’t the case. I stopped, got out, and broke down. I guess the realization that we have indeed come full circle got the better of me. I then found where I was staying and checked in.
After a bit of relaxation, I walked down to the beach. It is about a 5 minute walk from John’s apartment, and maybe 7 minutes from where I am staying. On the way, I went back to his apartment, and left a bit of him there. Yes, I did bring you home, my love. I then went to the beach. It was a beautiful day, and the wave where large and pounding. There were many people surfing. I left a bit of him there as well. This was a place that was so special for us. I then walked by the bar where we actually first met in person. Most of you know this story, so I won’t repeat it. If you don’t, ask, and I will tell.
On the way back, I called in to John’s favorite bar. It was called Sylvester’s then, but he called it Silly’s. He used to say that it took 5 minutes to get there, and 19 hours to get home. I stopped in and had a couple of drinks. I was really sneaky, and just happened to drop a little by the bar, just for the old man.
As I sit here tonight, my heart hurts so much. Yes, this has been a rough day. Tomorrow will be harder as I go to the Natural Bridge, the first place I really knew I loved him. I miss him so much, and I am so much better for having had him in my life. Cheers, old man. I love you so much.
July 13, 2016
I got up early today to head to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and then to the Natural Bridge. The idea is to get to Currumbin early, as this is when you can feed the lorikeets. For all my US friends, lorikeets are the birds that ViewSonic used as their logo. They are magnificently colored, and houndreds of them come down for the feeding. While they are wild birds, they are used to this feeding schedule. When I arrived, I was among one of the first, so I got to have a great time. Then, I went into the park. It was just as amazing as I remember it. I spent a lot of time handfeeding the kangaroos, and watching several bird shows. It was really cool to be back here. I got my picture taken with a couple of different birds, as well as a koala.
After I left the park, I went to Honey World. They have a zillion different types of honey. You can try them all. They also had a Galah/Sulfer Crested Cockatoo cross who was bigger than my Percy, but other than the size difference, was just like him. I spent a good deal of time talking with this bird, whose name was Chester. I bought some delicious cinnamon honey, and headed out on the road.
As I drove through SpringBrook National Park, I felt almost a sense of dread. I knew what I had to do, what I wanted to do, but I was also keenly aware of the pain it would cause. Finally, I was at the Natural Bridge. There is a beautiful walk up and around to the cave. While there were quite a few people there, it was still quiet and peaceful. I took my time approaching the cave.
When I got to the mouth of the cave, there were several people in there. I walked into the cave and put my black lace shawl over my head. I knew I wouldn’t be alone, and I really didn’t want to share my grief. As I look back on it, needed to let go. After having a good cry, I sprinkled a bit of John’s remains in the cave. The pain was so bitter and strong, I wasn’t sure how I was going to move on. I stayed in there for quite a while. God is good, though. When I walked out, I passed a grandmother and her young grandson. She stopped me and asked if I was all right. I told her why I was there, and she put her arms around me and hugged me. I know she was and angel sent for me. As I walked back to the car, I felt much lighter. I returned to my little apartment on Chevron Island. A steak dinner and a glass of wine, and the day I had dreaded the most was over.
July 14, 2016
Today is a busy day. I met up with Andrew, John’s youngest son, and Katie, Jason, and Harry, John’s youngest daughter, husband, and son. Andrew showed up first, and we had an amazing talk. When Katie and family came, we went out to the Surf Club for lunch.
The Surf club is on the beach. Andrew made sure I had “Plenty” to drink. A couple of bottles of wine, and we were off to the races. I wound up going to Andrew’s house, and getting to meet his two girls, Madison and Charlotte. What wonderful, amazing, and beautiful girls they are!! We had a wonderful time.
July 15, 2016
Time to leave beautiful Surfers Paradise and head back to Tamworth. I love Surfers. This is a place where I know I was and can be happy. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I have had such a wonderful time, I know I will be back.
Today it is drive back to the Brisbane airport, return the rental car, and catch the airport train to Roma St. station. Now, I am not sure why, but even though I was able to take train all the way to Roma street, I had to take a bus to Casino, and then get on the train. This was a 3.5 hour trip. Luckily, I was able to get the driver to let me sit up front. I just can’t ride in the back.
Once we got to Casino, then we had about a 25 minute wait for the overnight train. It came, and we took off at 7:30 pm. I went to sleep right away, as I needed to be up by 3:30 to leave the train at 4 am in Maitland.
July 16, 2016
The train dropped me off in Maitland at 4 am. The temperature was below freezing, and there was no waiting room open. After an hour, I got someone to open the room, but it was jump completely freezing. Finally, at 7 pm, I walked down to the Woolworth’s shopping center so I could get out of the cold. I waited there until 11:30, then went back to the train station to catch the 12:00 train back to Tamworth. When I got there, Mark and Michelle were waiting for me, and we went out to dinner at the Calala Inn. What a great, crazy few days.
My Grieving Widow's Tour 