Chapter IX - the last half of 2008
On the Monday morning after a bit of a run we headed off slowly in the general direction of Geelong and Melbourne. We still travelled slow and enjoyed ourselves with lots of nice walks and another bush camp or two along the way of course. We went down to our little shack at Geelong. There is some doubt that Annie will keep it as the caravan bit has rotted and as it is not the sort of shack that one could easily tow away and put some place else she is not happy with the idea of spending lots of money on it. You see it is in a prime position for re-development of the land and although the current owners are sometimes seen around, their adult kids have no interest in the place so Annie feels they may sell up. It is such a big decision.
After sorting out a few bits and pieces there we went to see Tully, Mako, Mary-Rose and Daniel in Altona. It was lovely to see them all again and to stay in the one place for several days too! Beach runs, coffee out , dips in the water, lots of treats from Mary-Rose visits to our other Melbourne friends all over the place, we had a great time! We also fitted in a trip down to Gippsland to see Dash, Millie, Connie and John Stott at their wonderful home. As well as call in on our friends we had a bit of a wander around the ‘Valley” one of Annie’s favourite places. I really enjoy the Valley too, there are lots of good places to have a run, great smells and of course a great many coffee shops and bakeries to visit! What more could a Whippet and his Annie want, I ask you?
After our visit to The Valley we went back to Melbourne the long way via Healesville, Yea, an overnight stop at King Parrot Creek, Seymour and back down the Hume Highway. Staying at Altona for a few more days and enjoying a whole day at the 2008 Whippet Championship Show. What a wonderful day, I had other Whippets to play with, loads of cuddles including with my ‘first person’ Natalie, lots of treats ‘coz I was being such a good boy, and I think Annie may have made some enquiries regarding a new baby brother for me! I am so looking forward to a baby brother!!!!! We also enjoyed a little more time with Mary-Rose and her fur kids before making some sad farewells (well we may not get away again for quite some time). We left Melbourne on the Sunday afternoon and headed through to Hamilton camping just outside at a lovely little place called Enfield. It was a good drive through Casterton and Coleraine where I got to bark at the very life like Kelpie Statue (it fools me every time) and we treated ourselves to some chocolate! We drove on all the way through to Tailem Bend and camped just outside of town ready for an early drive down through the hills to Gawler the next morning. Here we visited another of Annie’s friends Barry, who lives on a ‘old Mc Donald’s Farm’ sort of place with rubbish and all sorts of stuff lying around all over the place, so much so that Annie was a little reluctant to let me do ‘wizzes’ as she was a bit worried that I could hurt myself. From this funny place we went on to Pt Augusta and camped there the night, had a bit of a run and a McDonalds breakfast together before heading up the middle to home in Darwin. The real highlight of the trip home was spending a night at Mataranka in another Caravan Park with lot’s of visiting Wallabies, all over the place they where! such lovely smells! My Little Whippet nose was twitching so much it hurt! It was such a nice place that Annie has decided we could do with a day or three there sometime in the New Year.
We arrived home 2 days short of Annie’s 55th birthday, safe and sound. Another wonderful trip away enjoyed to the max!
Not much left of this year now is there. I quite enjoy the Christmas build up – not so keen on the Darwin build up though, the humidity is quite oppressive and neither Annie nor I can sleep too well at present. So I find myself spending my days on her bed right under the fan, lying on my back with legs in the air, not very couth I know but cooling on my tummy. It is now that time of year when we have to wear fancy dress at Christmas break up’s, people are very strange at times, are they not?