Terence and family in Brisbane

We are very spoilt to have been able to spend time in Brisbane with Terence, Lizelle and “Little Monster” Dylan - Terence’s nickname for little Dylan who is the most delightful, good-natured, darling child!! It was lovely catching up after last seeing Terence about 30 years ago!! We even managed to have a “conference” chat with Brenda and Gert on the phone in South Africa from Terence’s house!

Terence let us pitch camp in his driveway close to his shed which is as good as the local Bunnings. It was so interesting hearing his life story up until now where he is settled and living a normal, suburban life with his amazing wife, Lizelle, and little Dylan. Terence spent many years crewing on yachts all over the world’s oceans, lived in Thailand running a diving school, and then lived in New Zealand for 8 years. He has been in Brisbane for 3 years and loves it here though probably works way too hard!! His dream is to live in the country on a smallholding. I hope it can happen one day. He really needs to write a book! Just this weekend we waved goodbye to them as they set off on a 3 week journey across the Simpson desert!! The car was so full poor Dylan just managed to fit in but he was absolutely delighted when he found his spot amongst all the gear required for the desert!!

They are such an organized, focused couple it puts most people to shame. They are just the NICEST people too!! (There is a very visible spot of both Monica and Paddy in Terence - the parts we loved in both of them as we spent many happy hours at their homes in Craighall Park and the nursery in Fourways in the 1970's!!) They have left us their house for as long as we like while they are away. We feel as if we are back home and already forgotten how to be grey nomads … but we will be on our way very soon!!

It was also lovely hearing a little knock on our caravan door when Dylan wanted to come and visit us in the driveway. He loved examining all the parts of our caravan!! It reminded me so much of Eva, Eloise and Ali's knocking on our caravan door when we stayed in Nat's driveway. The only difference was that Nat's 3 just climbed into our bed for cuddles and stories - not so easy with 5 in a caravan bed - but we DO miss that!!

I posted the photos, as promised, for Barbara, Bren and Gert. ENJOY. Wish you were here!!