Mr & Mrs Lunchalot...Gourmet delights.

Wednesday and we felt like we had truly taken on new identities. Perhaps we had died and come back as food critics. Though I'm sure they don't get to do lunch and dinner every day. Still, I'm not complaining, it was great fun and I am hoping that I still fit into my clothes at the end of the fortnight. All this socialising was taking it's toll as the exhaustion factor grew, but we're strong, we can soldier on.

We were off to the Vines to have lunch with Gilly & Garry. It was so good to see them both and also lovely to have a sneak preview of Gilly's new paintings for her upcoming exhibition. We love her work and in the future you will see some collaboration with Bill as she paints some of his birds. We had a lovely lunch and a great afternoon catching up on all their news. Thanks for such a relaxing interlude.

That night saw a return to Kailis Bros with Bob & Nancye and this time we tried the scallops which were just delicious. Having not seen each other for 2 years we had lots to talk about and just about closed the place down being among the last to leave. It was a great night and we look forward to seeing you next time you pass through Melbourne.

We caught up with Kevin on Thursday for lunch at the Queens Hotel in Mt Lawley where we took refuge from the rain and spent a couple of hours eating drinking and generally being merry. Sure beats the half hour lunch break at work. And on Thursday night we joined the Mitchell Freeway carpark as we inched our way northward to have dinner with Rick & Helen in Joondalup. We had renewed our friendship at the RAAF reunion in Melbourne last Feb. It was a good night as we did some more reminiscing about our first homes in Perth all those years ago.

Friday we spent the day with Sarah, David and the kids as we would not see them again before we left. David was coaching in Bunbury and we were not going this time. We had lunch with them at Sharkeys on the wharf in Mandurah, followed by the most decadent icecream at Simmo's. Whisky Prune & Mascapone Cheese has just replaced Rum & Raisin as my favourite treat. Corbyn loved the playground and Amelie loved the swing on her Mum's knee. We will miss them but Christmas will be here soon and this year we will share it with them in Melbourne.

Another beautiful home cooked meal was Friday night's treat with Marg & Pete excelling themselves with the cheese fondue and the biggest T-Bones I have ever seen. What a great night we had even though the bottle count the next morning was probably a bit higher than it should have been. Still, no headaches so all was well. I hope your golf went well Marg. Thanks for the comfy bed and the great breakkie on Saturday too. A quiet afternoon on the balcony with Anne & Paul and at last lunch at home. Roast pork & salad sandwiches were really good and left plenty of room for our final fling that night. We all met Gareth & Taegan at Lido's Vietnamese Restaurant in Northbridge were we had our farewell dinner. What a great place and the food - so good.

So as usual all holidays have to end and it was soon time to head off to the airport to catch the plane home. We have had a wonderful two weeks catching up and spending time with all our family & friends. For everyone that lunched & dinnered with us we only hope you gained a couple of kilos as we may have. Only joking - my clothes still fit - we're back on the straight and narrow again. Thanks for all the meals, drinks and beds along the way. Can't wait to do it all again.

Once home any idea of a quiet Monday went west as I joined Debs, JT, Marg & Gunther for lunch beside the Yarra. They were in town for the Eagles game on Saturday and were leaving later that day. What a nice way to finish my holiday. Bill had gone back to work so I had to work the lunch shift myself. The sacrifices I make for that man!

Back to work on Tuesday to save for the next lunchfest, until next time..............