A bittersweet visit to Perth

The day after Lorraine and Hans went home we were on our way to the airport to fly to Perth as well.  This was an unscheduled but not totally unexpected trip.  We had finally received the phone call we had half expected for a long while now. Bill's Dad had passed away during the week and the funeral was on Wednesday.

We left early on Tuesday morning and were in Perth by lunchtime.  Tammy was kind enough to let us stay with her as with more family arriving all the spare beds were gone at Anne's place.  

Once we were settled in and unpacked we drove down to see David, Sarah, Corbyn and Amelie.  We spent a hour or two with them and then drove over to Anne's to see how we could help over the next few days.  We finished the evening having dinner with Gareth and Taegan in Vic Park before going home to catch up properly with Tammy.

Maree, Faye and Brenda had all arrived early on Wednesday morning and we all met at Anna's place before driving to the funeral parlor in Belmont.  The service was a lovely, simple ceremony celebrating the life of a wonderful man.  While it is always sad to say goodbye to someone we love we can also be happy knowing that Dad is no longer suffering as he had done for the last few years.  

As always when families gather for funerals there is joy as well as sadness as afterwards they come together and share memories of their loved ones.  With everyone gathered at Anne's place the afternoon turned into night and the stories about Dad and Grandpa had us all laughing and crying during that time.  

We started to say goodbye again the next morning with Maree and Faye flying back to Melbourne and after dropping them at the airport we stopped at Morley for some birthday shopping for Amelie.  We were staying in Perth as it was the Australia Day weekend and Amelie's birthday is on the 24th and Gareth's on the 26th.  We returned to Anne and Paul's that night for a bar-b-que with Brenda.  

On Friday morning we dropped in to say Happy Birthday to Amelie and deliver her presents.  We had a fun hour with her and Corbyn and it was lovely to be able to spend some time with Sarah too.  

From there we drove to Fremantle and met Anne and Brenda at the Markets.  Next stop was for a drink at the Little Creatures Brewery and then we had fish and chips at Cicerello's on the wharf.  We all drove back to Anne's and said goodbye to Brenda as she was flying home to Brisbane that night.

Back at Tammy's later that afternoon we finally had time to stop and had a wonderful dinner with her and Paul.  It was really good to see them both again, the last time being about two years ago.  

Saturday kept us busy with a visit to see Sandra, Vicki and Victor in Beechboro and later we called in to see Pat and Russell in Kewdale.  It was really nice to spend the day with friends but soon it was time to go and get ready for our big night out with the family.

Gareth celebrated his birthday at the Greenwood Tavern and we joined him and Taegan for dinner.  Anne, Paul, David, Sarah, Corbyn, Amelie, joined Marion (Taegan's Mum)' Dylan and his friend, and we all had a great time in Birthday Party mode.  It also gave Nana and Poppa a great opportunity to spend some more time with Corbyn and Amelie.

And the fabulous birthday cake Marion made for Gareth was absolutely delicious and a wonderful end to a great day.

The next morning we had breakfast with Tammy and Paul in East Vic Park and then it was time to pack our bags again and head off for the airport.  Our time in Perth had come to an end and we had a plane to catch.  What had started out on a very sad note had ended with smiles and love all round.  A bittersweet week but it was so good to be able share the ups and downs with family.  

And so now we say Rest In Peace Dad, you will always be in our hearts.

Until next time.........