Eunice Emerged

By Eunice Neale

Eunice Emerged the final book of my autobiography covers 1990 to 2020 and continues directly on from Emergence of Eunice Book 2.
As a confident successful business woman I need challenges. I need more than a wonderful carefree life with the man of my dreams; luckily my dream man supports me and my ambitions. Together we are an omni-potent force (my man's mother's words).
Our journey takes many exciting and dramatic twists and turns as we float through the last decade of the 20th Century and into the 21st Century.
We embrace the iTeck age, the introduction of the internet and a whole new mode of living in the 21st Century.
Before we realise, seemingly like no time at all, we are aging... and agED.
I have never given age any consideration.
I didn't realise older folks had opinions and a voice.
Well I sure as hell know now.
That is why I have 'spilled my gutz' truthfully without reservation, so readers may understand aging folks a little better.
We do have a life, a mind... and a will....of determination and... inheritance!!!

I finish my autobiography as an Octogenarian.
I gained my OBE in February this year 2020.
I don't feel old, I simply can't do as much as I once could.
I am still writing but not about me.

For those who don't know OBE = Over Bluddy Eighty.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eunice Neale
• Release date: Sep 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005636609

Eunice Neale

I was born in Ceduna in 1940 and raised on a farm on the edge of Nullabor Plains in remote South Australia. My paternal and maternal grandparents pioneered much of the lands around us which is still owned by our families.I was a shy well behaved girl as all children were expected to be in those days...seen but not heard...until I went to boarding school and saw there was a different way of life; a life I longed for; a life full of fun and laughter.Slowly as I made my way in life through many trials and tribulations I unwittingly transformed into a competent, capable, outspoken successful business woman in the days when the general belief was women were put on this earth to support and pamper men.I had been groomed to marry a farmer.....a neighboring farmer to conveniently merge farmland properties.Fortunately, as innocent as I was, I had other ideas....and escaped to an unknown world.Follow this world in my three part autobiography soon available from Smashwords.Book 1. EUNICE. 1940 to 1960. My first twenty years. Isolated, protected, suppressed.Book 2. EMERGENCE OF EUNICE. 1960 to 1990. Title says it all....through the era's of . woman's liberation, equality of the sexes and swinging sixties.Book 3. EUNICE EMERGED. 1990 to 2020. My second life in a whole new world of technology.I am still alive, fit and healthy and continue to enjoy my hobbies:-Sewing - I never buy clothes, I can have what I want... I make them... so why not?Squash- I still play competitively... it keeps my body and mind active and alert.Socialising with Red Hat groups... woman over 50 who don't want the world to pass them by, we wear red hats and purple frocks in social groups, we don't go un-noticed.......and my new hobby... writing.I figure as I am an Octogenarian I have the liberty to truthfully document my years on this earth... years that were so different from today.I particularly wanted to document the way of life lived in the mid 20th century to answer many questions from my grandchildren for their descendants.

Book preview

The Nineties

1990 - 99

Chapter 1

Our Centenary Party

The first day of the nineties was bright and sunny boding well for the beginning of my new life. This was the year John and I were turning 50, we were on a high planning our joint Centenary Party while secretly scheming our wedding. We had kept our secret well; no-one had any idea. Everyone was busy using their expertise in preparing for our `birthdays'. Leanne the busiest, doing many of the last-minute preparations often commented This is just like getting ready for a wedding!

Regularly some-one said This is just like getting ready for a wedding!

I wouldn't mind a dollar for every time I heard this said.

Six weeks to our party. We were so excited, though disappointed that my mum in Ceduna and John's best mate Jim from Brisbane wouldn't be sharing this special occasion with us. Mum because of medical reasons wouldn't leave her home for any length of time, and Jim later told us if he'd known it was a wedding he would have come, he blatantly lay the blame on us because he thought it was just a birthday party. We knew if it were to be a surprise, we could tell no one. John kept insisting we tell our mothers he still worried the shock might cause heart attacks. No way: telling our mothers would be like telling the world! The only way to keep a secret is to tell no-one.

John always surprised me with lovely presents, I didn't fuss over presents but bought John personalised number plates for his car `JOHN' and also "EUNICE' for my car, these personalised plates incurred an annual cost of $150.00 which I would pay each year for our birthdays. I gave John his on his birthday 29th January but kept mine a secret because the kids may wonder why I changed from my current personalised plate of `HOAD OO'. I didn't want to give away clues.

Leanne was so enthused in the preparations for our celebrations it never entered her head to realise the truth she so often repeated.

This is just like getting ready for a wedding.

Lorita turned twenty-one the day John was fifty, she and Shane invited both their families to The House an intimate restaurant on Kensington Road specialising in French cuisine owned by a Chinese chef and his homely waitress chinese wife. We enjoyed a sumptuous meal in the privacy of a room to ourselves in this unusual but popular restaurant with our own waiter, a bubbly gay guy who not only enjoyed but joined in the evenings bantering especially with Mark and Shane who although both `anti-gay' accepted the innuendos with receptive grace.

It was time for the speeches and birthday wishes, the birthday cake was presented with twenty one sparkling candles which Loretta blew out as we all sang Happy Birthday then… Shane turned to Lorita, knelt down Loretta I have known you for nearly six years, you have been sharing my life for the last five years. I love you. Will you marry me?

We were all gob smacked, but not as much as Lorita.

Yes.

Shane produced a diamond solitaire white gold ring and put on Lorita's finger.

How excited we all were. John and I were especially excited because they were able to share and enjoy their special surprise before ours. Loretta immediately started planning their wedding which threw Shane, I don't think he had thought past the proposal.

10th February 1990 the day of our Centenary Party, the day of much secrecy and sly moves. John much to my delighted surprise presented me with the most beautiful unusual ring I had admired at a jewellery shop many months prior, he never failed to surprise me I was so in love and content to be marrying this wonderful man. The morning of `our wedding' we took my car and hid it at the Oberoi Hotel where we would be spending our first few days of marriage, John took `HOAD OO' number plates off and replaced it with `EUNICE'. Our kids had organised a chauffeured stretch limousine as a birthday present for this night's transport for us all so my car wouldn't be used.

John's car was loaded with fresh flowers, bright yellow sunflowers, vivid blue agapanthus and plumbago from his cottage garden at Moonta, masses of red roses from a commercial flower grower at Virginia and frangipani from the front yards of homes we spotted and dared knock on their doors asking if we could pick them. Leanne met us at the Officer's Mess to arrange the flowers.

John had booked a room in the Officer's Quarters where we could dress and hide all the tell-tale `wedding' paraphernalia.

Laura delivered the cake, two squares with a corner cut off each and joined as one, she had beautifully decorated it for our birthdays with fifty candles each.

Oh NO! We don't want candles! I protested.

Oh yes you do. You are going to have a bushfire Girl.

No arguing with Laura!

The Mess staff and Leanne worked tirelessly all day, so many times when we made special requests such as a separate table at the head of the room for `family', double coloured serviettes blue and white, the silver table ware to be taken out of its glass cabinets, permission to use the ceremonial sword to cut the cake, name places to be strategically placed, Leanne the staff and helpers continually said This is just like getting ready for a wedding!

At last all was in readiness. Under the floor length table cloth beneath the cake I had secretly hidden the décor I had made to turn the birthday cake into a wedding cake; and in an anti-room my fresh flowered coronet and bouquet, veil and long train were stashed ready and waiting. The music man was set up, well briefed and as excited as we were. We knew we could put on a memorable show for our guests.

7pm. our guest started arriving for a 7.30 dinner, they thought... It was really a 7.30 wedding.

Our guest had outdone themselves; they all looked stunning; we were honoured at the trouble they had gone to with their attire. The gals were stunning in their evening gowns and the guys all wore suits even those who never owned one. Pedro looked immaculate in John's dinner suit. Mark and Shane also looked immaculate in their hired white tuxedoes, they all seemed proud and didn't protest when I pinned a fresh red rose to their lapels which so put the right touch to their (unbeknown to them) status. John's officer mates wore their summer mess kits and Glenys's husband wore his Army Officers mess kit, they all looked so stunningly dapper and very impressive to our families and civilian friends.

Everyone had arrived with birthday cards and wishes and compliments all round; the music man was innocently playing his incidental music, the video man was filming away, Fred snapped the occasional shot as he mingled happily without a care.

It was time. I called Leanne aside. How are your nerves?

Fine!

"Well we are getting married

WOOOW

Now! Right this minute!!! Stick by me; you are my bridesmaid, that's why you are wearing blue and the décor is predominantly blue I gave her a printed sheet here is the order of the ceremony. I have marked where you start singing, unannounced. The music man knows he'll give you your cue.

Eunice and I thank you all for coming along and sharing this momentous occasion with us.

John progressed to explain the format of the evening. Then…

"But first there is something I want to say: he turned to me, took my hands in both of his while adoringly gazing into my eyes

Eunice. You know how much I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Would you marry me?

We could hear the contented ooos and rrrrs as I responded

Yes.

John produced the engagement ring and slipped it on my finger.

See pic of proposal above.

Amid much cheering and clapping John put up his hand to quieten the guests.

Eunice. When will you marry me?

What about now?

The dead silence was only broken by jaws dropping and the videotaping. We could see everyone was in shock, especially our boys.

John called out Is there anyone here who can marry us?

A hand shot up from the crowd.

I can. I'm Raymond Ronald Rowe and I'm a civil marriage celebrant.

Chapter 2

Our Wedding

I feigned total shock. I must away and get dressed.

John and I retreated to the ante room closely followed by Leanne Pedro Mark and Shane.

What a joyous moment this was for us, everyone was so happy. John's mum came in bawling her eyes out.

I'm sob sob, so happy. sob sob blubber blubber.

John attached the train under the purpose self-made flowers at the back of my frock as I had shown him earlier, Leanne fixed the veil and coronet to my head, handed me my bouquet and out we went to our expectant guests and the celebrant.

Standing in front of the battle standards cabinet and to the music of the music man quietly playing the keyboard we exchanged the vows we had written, promising to love and cherish each other for all of our days (definitely no mention of obey) John also promised there would be a fresh red rose in my home every day that he loved me, at this moment Leanne's beautiful contralto voice began singing- `Through the Eyes of Love'

There wasn't a dry eye in the house including ours. As in pic above.

I now pronounce you man and wife.

The party began.

The evening immediately transformed into a traditional wedding; as the guests were ushered into the dining room for dinner (already running very late) they filed past us amid much excitement, good wishes, congratulations, as they showered us with rice confiscated from the kitchen, flower petals confiscated from the floral arrangement Leanne made in the ladies lounge.

As we walked to the head table, I produced the bridal decoration hidden under the long table clothes to transform the birthday cake into a wedding cake. The one hundred candles were eclipsed.

We seated ourselves with our kids and John's mum. Fred our photographer friend was hyperventilating because he didn't have his professional equipment. `Good! We didn't want to answer to a photographer on this day'. He did manage to get some excellent photos all the same, as in pic below.

The kitchen staff had joined in the camaraderie and didn't mind the delay in serving the meal or cleaning up the mess the `make do confetti' had made. A sumptuous five course meal was served with sorbets between the courses to cleanse the pallet.

The speeches were clever and heartfelt professionally led by Phil. The `best men' Pedro Mark and Shane read the telegrams which appeared form no-where written on serviettes, coasters, envelopes and even toilet paper.

Leanne and Phil provided entertainment their beautiful voices complimenting each other. Steve and Fred read a clever comedy commentary they had written about us; we all danced the night away until it was time to leave. I was slightly shocked went I went to the `ladies' to see the sad arrangement of sunflowers and roses with all the petals missing (used as confetti).

We left the Officers Mess through a human arch of honour to our limousine where our families were already installed. I called out inviting everybody back to our suite at the Oberoi. The drive back to our hotel was fun, the kids were all happy; Roger and Angie were especially enjoying the journey as we all were. The poor chauffer was aghast to be asked to stop for a pi… stop along the way, then of course the mandatory route to our hotel was via Hindley Street, way off the route to our North Adelaide Hotel.

When we finally arrived at the Chelsea suite the hall was lined with guests sitting on the floor patiently waiting for us. John unlocked the door, we were pushed aside as the guests rushed past us into the suite and took over… the bed, the fridge and the food, the rest of the night was party, party, party… until… about 4am a knock on the door. Very apologetically the manager who was in on our secret asked us to please curb the noise. I assured him they would all be going home soon and thanked him for his intrusion. Just the excuse I needed to get everyone to leave.

We were so happy with the success of our special day; everyone had enjoyed themselves especially me because John was in control of himself the whole evening. I was a little concerned he would drink too much and loose his sensibilities, but his professionalism prevailed he maintained control of himself all night, besides, he was way too occupied to drink too much. This was the man I agreed to marry, the man I loved to destruction.

We knew we could put on a good show for our guests, what we hadn't expected was the rapport we got back from everyone. It was such a wonderful birthday wedding party; one we would never forget and nor would our family and friends.

I was now Eunice Neale. We were very content and happy with ourselves and exhausted, we needed a good night's sleep. We hopped into bed…….

Whaaat the????

With Pedro & Anita               With my kids, Mark Leanne & Shane

The bed was littered with biscuit crumbs and cheese…YUK. We hopped out and cleaned it up as best we could. Luckily we had booked the Chesterfield suite for our second night at this hotel we liked the Chesterfield suite, we liked its old world charm it's heavy wooden four poster bed and deep button leather upholstered lounges but it wasn't available for our wedding night; we were grateful to move into it next morning and leave the mess of the Chelsea suit.

Our marriage was a huge shock to those who weren't with us, especially my mum, we rang to tell her as soon as we woke up the next morning; she couldn't comprehend how we could marry at a party. I explained about the celebrant and how we hadn't told any of our family we were getting married. Although she was taken by surprise, she was happy for us. John's prediction came true… both our mums were admitted to hospital within the next fortnight, maybe it was coincidental? They both quickly recovered and were soon home and active again.

Our marriage was also a shock to our friends, especially my squash friends who played a huge role in the surprise celebrations at our `wedding'. At squash practice the next Saturday many joviality and complimentary remarks about our now famous wedding was relived. Maria organised the practice sessions allocating who should play whom, she had always avoided playing me (I am slightly unorthodox and difficult to play so I am told) but Maria had improved her standard of squash since owning the courts.

OK you Old Bag now you are fifty I should be able to beat you, we'll have a game.

`FIFTY, was I?' I hadn't thought of this milestone as an age additive… It was a wedding.

Up rose my competitive shackles. I easily beat her.

OK! You Bitch. I won't play you again until I'm fifty. Maria challenged

What will we put on it? I asked.

A bottle of Dom Perignon!

OK! I turned to all the other players You guys witnessed this didn't you?

As an afterthought I asked, How old are you now?

She was thirty-seven. I quickly did calculations.

I would be sixty three, no worries, if I managed to keep moving for another thirteen years I was sure I would win the wager because Maria being a typical Italian lass was a superb cook and loved her food. I suspected when they sold the squash courts, she wouldn't want to look at a squash court again and she would put on weight and become a typical loving Italian Mama.

How wrong I was… but all will be revealed as my story continues in the 21st Century.

Now we were married John asked me how we should live as a married couple. Where would we live?

I like this arrangement. I'd like to continue the same way. I like holidaying at your place and have you holidaying at mine.

We had agreed to maintain our financial independence and it was working fine, John was happy to have no input into my property he was content with his cottage and we both had similar incomes and shared our living costs. We agreed whole heartedly to each maintain what we came into our relationship with as a legacy to each of our own dependents.

Although I loved it at John's Cosy Cottage, I never called it home. It was my retreat. John spoilt me there.

John also said, We don't really need two cars.

No we don't. But I'm not getting rid of mine!!

No more mention of us sharing one car.

John now had his licence back, this winter we planned on travelling with the van via Ceduna to see mum, then to Darwin where John would work on an exercise Pitch Black, then across to Brisbane for John's mate, Jim's fiftieth, then slowly make our way north to Cooktown: then… we'd see? We'd have an extended honeymoon.

We didn't know how long we'd be away, and I didn't want to worry or have responsibility of the Academy so I made an offer to the instructors they couldn't refuse; they could each buy a share of the business including their own students as part of the `good will'. They decided they couldn't afford to rent the Academy property so moved to smaller premises.

I decided to store my belongings and let the property; it was in an excellent commercial location. Pedro was a tower of strength during my move, without ado he simply came along with his trailer and loaded it and mine; he made the move so easy, as he did on subsequent moves. I was so impressed with his work ethics.

Jumbana, the tenants I chose were an ambitious young couple (he indigenous) who designed indigenous works of art, Balarinji Designs and needed larger premises to produce and display their works hoping to impress the Japanese market. It was a lot of work converting my ornate Victorian inspired home into a plain basic property suitable to display Jumbana's art and the Balarinji designs. This couple did very well in these premises; they conquered the Japanese market and spread their art around the world including painting the whole exterior of two Qantas Jumbo Jets. They were my tenants for many years until they moved to their own purpose-built premises in the serenity of the Coorong Lakes in South Australia's South East.

Chapter 3

Our Honeymoon

We spent Mother's Day with our kids and set off the next day to warmer pastures with DD in her cage secured by the seatbelt. We didn't want to spend winter in South Australia. Why should we when the north was beckoning us? We would go via Ceduna to see mum. John had the boot of his Cortina fitted out as a workshop not only with tools but plenty of spare parts, I thought this was rather over doing it, but didn't say anything. We had the caravan loaded with all we needed for how-ever many months we'd be away, certainly we wouldn't be back until the weather warmed up.

We set off, of course with my squash bag and all the necessary gear packed, I knew I had to continue playing to keep up my skills and my body fit. I left my car with Cliff a work colleague of John's who restored it in his spare time, it was badly rusted having spent much of its life driving along Aldinga Beach and trips to Maslin Beach with a dog saturated with sea water as my constant companion.

Mum was happy to see us. Roger simply shook his head in dismay at our rig, he and Angie planned on caravanning after he had bought a new bus, and caravan. Bus being a new Toyota 4WD, I thought it rather extravagant needing a new vehicle and van to holiday, we didn't need new vehicles, we utilised what we had... a small seven year old HQ SS Holden Cortina and a large very old caravan, we were very comfortable, happy and in love.

Leaving Ceduna, we headed north through the Gawler Ranges admiring the natural untouched beauty of these under rated remote mountain ranges; neither of us had been through the Gawler Ranges. I had no idea there was such lovely country so near Ceduna. Our first night on the road north we set ourselves up on a dirt side-track overlooking the surrounding hills and plains with not a soul in sight. We celebrated and toasted ourselves with champagne and enjoyed a delicious roast meal John cooked in his tabletop Weber. I was in heaven. How did I get this lucky? Why can't everyone meet their total soul mate and enjoy such contentment.

We stayed at Katherine a few days, I was continually amased at the beauty of Australia's centre, I loved Katherine, a city and surrounds of such diverse cultures and natural wonders. My cousin Fay lived there with her ANZ Bank Manager husband. Fay and Mike invited us to their home for dinner; I was so impressed with the outdoor living area providing a casual relaxed atmosphere around the sparkling pool and commented on it.

We can confidently plan a BBQ three hundred and sixty three days a year here. Faye said with conviction.

What a paradise! How wonderful would it be to live where the climate didn't fluctuate in extremes, and where you can comfortably entertain outside all year round?

In Darwin John participated in the exercise with the RAAF, he enjoyed these exercises and air traffic controlling and the tax-free money he earned as a Reservist.

Time was not an issue, we virtually stayed if we liked where we were or moved on if we didn't. My first chore at each stop was to seek out the squash courts and arrange a game of squash with the locals. I desperately wanted to keep my skills honed, I didn't want to let my body seize up, and I must keep playing for at least thirteen years to beat Maria. I was welcomed into every squash club, especially in the rural areas. I enjoyed playing different people all round Australia and I think they enjoyed playing some-one different as well.

We always chose to stay in isolated caravan parks where we could set up our camp in a remote corner of the park where we'd be alone. I was `talked out' and desperately wanted to crawl into my comfy shell alone with John and ignore the rest of the world. John had a long power cord (I couldn't live without power) so we could be as far away from other holiday makers as we pleased. I enjoyed being incognito with John and not having to small talk to anyone. I became very `stuck up' and unsociable. I didn't care, I was `burnt out' I didn't want to talk to anyone. People didn't flock to us either for which we were grateful. I'm sure folks had no desire to befriend a couple sporting such an old car and caravan. Good! That suited us just fine.

I realised how `burnt out' I was as I grew more and more anti socialistic. I had been so busy over the last few years I never considered my health, now I had no responsibilities I virtually collapsed into a conscious no-man's land. I didn't fight these unfamiliar feelings; I didn't have to I would relish in my new gained no responsibility mode and relish in being pampered by John as he took me under his wing protecting and loving me as I did him. I blissfully tagged along lapping up his tentativeness. Oh, what luxury for me.

Mark was collecting our mail and forwarding to pre-arranged towns. At Darwin there was a letter from him (no mobile phones then) I am a dad. he was so happy and proud. I didn't know what role he wanted me to play; did he want me to be a true granny to his baby son? I had mixed feeling, for some reason I couldn't bring myself to genuinely feel like a grandma. Yes, he did, he asked me to be a grandma. I would visit this baby when we got home after our honeymoon.

Mark had upgraded his truck, he now owned a Volvo, he was so proud to be a Volvo driver with a Volvo key ring, Volvo hat and Volvo stubby holder along with.

We were nearing Daley Waters blissfully talking to DD when to our surprise a three-trailer road train was overtaking us. We were surprised because John didn't dawdle on the roads, though I must admit he had to slow up a lot because the caravan got the wobbles if he drove too fast, the Cortina towing our big van didn't like speed, this road train seemed to take forever to pass us. I watched terrified as it drove along side of us seemingly forever until eventually it was ahead of us.

I think he's collected us. John said.

Yes the window is hanging off the van.

On inspection this was the case. A lug on the third trailer had caught the window and flicked it out.

We tailed the road train trying to attract his attention. He didn't stop until he reached Daly Waters. He wasn't concerned, he suggested we get a piece of tin from the roadhouse dump heap and patch the broken window. There was plenty of tin lying around which John utilised using the tools he carried in the boot successfully replacing the glass with tin. I now realised why John had his boot decked out as a workshop. I used this makeshift window as a colourful mapping track of our travels which remained on the van even when we eventually sold it… still intact.

Daly Waters Hotel is an experience, we loved its charm and uniqueness; it was like no other hotel we had seen. We travelled to Brisbane via Cape Crawford Homestead, Barkly Homestead, Camooweal, Mt Isa, Longreach, Barcaldine, Augathella, Roma, Miles and Toowoomba allowing us to explore outback Queensland. We were enthralled at the changing scenery, the professional and friendly services provided at each stop and pleasantly surprised to find at every stop no matter how remote John was able to set our old basic television antenna on the roof facing the way of all the other antennas and get a reasonable television reception on our bulky portable TV.

We were so comfortable and so happy, we had everything we needed in our modest rig, we wanted for nothing and we were living in wedded bliss, this realisation was a huge learning curb for me proving that you don't need a flash home and all the mod cons and gadgets in it to be truly happy. All you really need to make life complete and content is a compatible partner.

I wished, oh how I wished that every person could meet their compatible partner, I am positive there is one out there for everybody. If it was possible for me to unexpectedly meet my perfect partner then it is possible for everyone to meet theirs, especially as I believed there was not one for me. I truly believed no-one could possibly love or live with me. I was gratified John didn't love me in spite of what I was he loved me because of what I was. It was so wonderful to simply be my own self, not having to watch my p's and q's and be loved unconditionally.

Jim's fiftieth was held at his home in Kenmore in the hills near Brisbane. It was the 5th July, and it was freezing cold, the wood fires in the braziers did little to warm the air. I hadn't taken any good warm clothes, only fishing clothes which I was forced to ashamedly wear. I felt so conspicuous amongst the fashionable and well-dressed guests, but a few drinks soon helped me overcome my embarrassment though everyone seemed to take delight in reminding me of my drab attire. I mourned my fashionable new leather suit neatly packed away in South Australia. We bagged Jim for missing our wedding; he bagged us for not telling him it was a wedding, this bagging never waned.

We left Brisbane and headed north sometimes only travelling a few kilometers stopping at pretty much every beach along the east coast to Cairns. If a secluded site was available overlooking the ocean, we stayed a few days, if the fish were biting we stayed a few more days. We cruised to most of the islands resorts and spent time exploring along the way. Though it was now the middle of winter the weather was perfect, 17deg at night and 27deg during the day. I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to live anywhere but Queensland. I loved the fresh produce for sale in stands along the roads. I marveled at the masses of flowering creepers, shrubs and trees. I loved sun tanning and swimming in the warm ocean waters. I had no desire to spend another winter in Adelaide rugged up to keep warm.

We stayed a few days at Lucinda in a van park right on the beach overlooking the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere, the fish were plentiful. On our way out through the town centre on a Saturday afternoon the caravan lurched, the car bounced, and we ground to a sudden halt, right in the middle of the narrow road alias the main street. What-ever had happened? The caravan axle had snapped the caravan collapsed pushing the wheel into the wardrobe where it was intermingled with our clothes. OMG! What do we do?

A guy was working nearby with his front-end loader, he offered to ease and lift the van off the road with the loader. He did, then suggested as it was Saturday, and nothing was open we go to this particular guy's place who hoarded stuff and see if he had an axle lying around. As it happened the vans axle was a standard Holden axle which this guy had and happily gave to us, he wouldn't take payment, so John asked what his favourite drink was? While John was replacing the axle with tools from his workshop in the boot, I found a hotel, purchased a carton of beer and delivered it to the surprised Good Samaritan and his mates. Thanks to the generosity of these kind local guys and John's `boot workshop' we were soon on our way.

We stayed at a beachside van park at Kurrimine Beach south of Innisfail, I was happy, squash courts were nearby. The tide goes out so far at this beach that you can walk right out to the reef but as we were warned we must walk out with the tide and leave as soon as the tide turns or it will come in quicker than you can walk back, an amasing experience.

Pic of us dining in the van.

The nearby rainforests with meandering creeks and waterfalls were a wonderment to us, we felt as if we were in another world all alone... when we came across a group of locals. In such idyllic surroundings I wondered where they went for their holidays, so I asked them.

Holidays: we don't. Why would you go anywhere else for a holiday?

I absolutely understood.

It was here we first met folks from southern states who travelled north each winter with their car caravan and tinny and settled in the Park until the weather warmed up down south. I thought they were very clever and fortunate to spend every winter on the beautiful northern Queensland coastline.

It was at Kurrimine Beach John had a severe attack of his stomach pains which differed with my theory of over indulgence of alcohol, he hadn't been over indulging, the attach took place at the end of a weekend after watching football matches while continually nibbling nuts and home popped corn. He suffered the pain and declared he would go to his gut specialist when back in Adelaide.

We took the caravan as far north as Wonga Beach way north of Cairns, my favourite spot was Cooya Beach a few kilometres nearer Mossman and the squash courts. This beach surrounded by sugar cane farms had many rows of coconut palms providing shade along the verges of the beach, it was such a serene and idyllic setting it radiated tranquillity through me, so much so it generated an urge for me to write. I had never before experienced such a contented feeling evolving from the environment, or the desire to write, the only writing I did then was to my mother at least once a week.

We had uninterrupted ocean views through the coconut palms and spent a few idyllic weeks here exploring the rainforests and beaches, fishing and playing squash.

I liked to keep our car and caravan clean so regularly gave them a wash, one day as I was on the small ladder with the broom vigorously washing, a fellow nomad gentleman praised me, hinted he'd like me as a partner and asked if I would talk to his wife.

Yes, sure I will talk to your wife, send her over here. I'll tell her how my husband is in the van preparing a candle lit gourmet meal (which he was) I'm looking forward to sitting down and enjoying with him over a bottle of good wine. Oh, and he cleans up, and does the dishes as well.

Needless to say the gentleman quietly slinked away.

In Cairns there was no beachside van park, so we chose a park on the edge of rainforest and parked on the banks of a flowing creek filled with fish, eels and red claw. We loved Cairns, everyone was so friendly and there were plenty of squash courts. We left the van in Cairns and drove along the Bloomfield track to Cooktown, the roads were impassable for caravans and if it rained, they were impassable, full stop. Along the way we stopped at another remarkable Australian Pub the Lion's Den seemingly in the middle of nowhere. I wondered how it survived but it seemed to be thriving. It was a virtual museum, the bar walls covered in visitor's business cards and writings from patrons all over the world; we added ours with pens supplied.

We loved Cooktown; we spent a few days there. John desperately wanted to go fishing on a private charter boat, but it was far too windy. We found accommodation that accepted DD who by now had a vast vocabulary; we talked to her nonstop she could learn a new sentence in two weeks. She was great company.

Mum had a bad turn, I considered leaving earlier than planned to go to her. Luckily, she soon recovered, travelling only a few kilometres each move I had no concept of how far north we actually were. John explained we were as far from Brisbane as Adelaide is from Brisbane. Wow! I had no idea.

Winter was nearing an end, we should be thinking about heading home, though we didn't want to leave the wonders and beauty of Tropical North Queensland in fact we didn't want to leave the Australian east coast especially the Queensland coast, never the less we decided to start travelling south through the inland.

At Charters Towers we were enthralled by the history of the town and the well preserved buildings. We noticed a sign in a travel agents window Book one flight to New Zealand, the second person travels FREE.

We did. We booked two weeks in New Zealand. We were so excited, we would fly out from Sydney in two weeks, so drove directly to Sydney consequently we didn't explore the NSW coast as much as we would have liked.

We flew to Christchurch collected the hire car and stayed in our choice of Best Western Hotels, all part of our package. We really enjoyed driving through both the north and the south islands of New Zealand stopping each evening at the nearest Best Western hotel. We loved this relaxing way of holidaying, not being committed to a schedule. The weather was perfect, so perfect the snow had melted. I could see the tops of the mountains were sprinkled white but there was no snow on the lowlands. I wasn't disappointed at the absence of snow (we prefer warm weather) though it would have been a bonus, I had never seen snow. I still haven't.

We particularly liked the South Island and Queenstown where we spent the third anniversary of our meeting sailing on the lake in the SS Earnshaw whilst wining and dining. The staff and the pianist made a huge fuss when they realised what we were celebrating. We were more than sailing on the lake; we were literally sailing on air.

We flew back to Sydney and drove home arriving in Adelaide in November as summer approached. What a wonderful honeymoon we had experienced, every minute of it was so special and so enjoyable; now we continue our honeymoon for the rest of our lives.

Chapter 4

Weddings

I collected my car from Cliff fully restored and rust free it looked like new, in fact many people thought I had a new car. My Norwood property was securely tenanted we needed a home in Adelaide, well I did, as much as I loved John's cottage it was not my home; we leased a lovely town house at Kent Town on Dequetteville Tce virtually trackside of the Adelaide Grand Prix circuit. This property was situated between Flinders Street the front entrance and Little Flinders Street with our carports the back entrance. A court yard featured in the centre of the property separating the living from the sleeping areas, a very convenient position, on the way to university for Leanne and only a short bus ride to town with a bus stop at our gate. We loved it here; we could safely lock it up and go to Moonta knowing it was secure. John's cousin Judy with her husband Brad from Ardrossan often stayed here for short reprieves while we were at Moonta, they also loved it.

Mark asked me to visit his son. I, with nervous trepidation loaded with baby gifts did, though I was made very welcome I didn't feel comfortable with the situation, but then I'm not a baby person, babies do nothing for me. Yes, they do they turn me cold at the thought of the work involved.

Duty bound I continued visiting at Xmas and birthdays. I was getting to know his mother and enjoy her company though I never felt a bonding with the child, but that's just me, ante babies. On the child's second birthday his mother told me Mark wanted nothing more to do with her or their son.

Just when I'm getting to know and like you. she said.

I couldn't believe what she was telling me, surely it couldn't be true Mark was so proud of his son and had included him in his plans for the future.

On questioning Mark, he reiterated what the mother had told me.

What do I do? I asked, Do I continue playing `granny'?

No, you can give it a miss.

I have never seen or heard from this child or his mother from that day.

Woman of the year luncheon was in Sydney this year. We couldn't fit this trip in between our other commitments; besides, we had just arrived home from Sydney. John knew a fellow air trafficker mate who lived in Sydney whose wife Anna would appreciate attending this luncheon. It was strictly a non-transferable invite, so she had to be Eunice Neale for the day. Yes! She assured me she could pull that stunt successfully.

That evening she rang to say she really enjoyed the lunch and appreciated the opportunity to attend. She was taken by surprise and had to shake herself and be on the alert when the raffle was drawn and announced.

The lucky person who has won the holiday on Hamilton Island is… EUNICE Neale.

 "Be sure your sins will find you out."

The only time I had ever won anything of note. Anna said it was really my prize and she offered it to me. We had just visited most of the Whitsunday Islands including Hamilton Island, so I declined her offer and told her she was welcome to the prize.

Preparations were well under way for Shane and Lorita's wedding. Lorita had done most of the organising encouraging Shane to be involved but his main focus after work was his sport, he played competitive sport at least twice a week, tennis, football, indoor and outdoor cricket, mixed basketball plus practices and social golf when he got the opportunity, he did organise his attendants Mark the best man and his mate Paul as groomsman.

This wedding was planned on a strict budget they were paying for it themselves there was no support from Lorita's family. I gave them a lump sum to do with whatever they wanted and offered to make the bridal party clothes including Lorita's gown.

Lorita showed me a picture of what she wanted for her gown and her two bridesmaids, her friend Kirsty, Paul's sister and Leanne. We found suitable fabrics though we couldn't find matching lace for the bridesmaids peach pure silk frocks; the shop said they could dye it though it was extremely expensive and couldn't guarantee the results. I told Lorita if she trusted me, I thought I could get the required results for the cost of the dye. She opted to trust me.

I was able to obtain an exact match, Loretta was ecstatic though turned slightly green when I told her how I achieved an exact match. The dye we bought was the right colour though too bright, it needed dulling or dirtying slightly for an exact match.

`Dirtying' I thought!

I mixed a bit of dirt with water and soaked the expensive lace in it… hey presto the exact match!

You must think beyond the square.

I asked Lorita what colour she wanted me to wear she said her mother told her she was wearing a bright cerise pink, so Lorita asked if I liked peacock blue. I did. I designed my pure silk (I was addicted to silk now) frock, once again I couldn't get matching coloured lace so I bought white ribbon lace intending to dye it. What a disaster this was, the ribbon intertwined on the lace was nylon and wouldn't take the dye; the lace backing turned an ugly shade of brownie greenie blue resulting from the failed attempts of so many different dyes. Although there was only a meter of lace it was very expensive, and I mourned the thought of wasting it. I was determined to salvage this lace though had no idea how.

Then it came to me, I'd spray paint it with enamel paint. I had nothing to lose.

Will this auto paint work on fabrics? I asked at an Auto store.

We've got no idea; we've never been asked that before.

Oh really?

I walked into the fabric shop next door could I have a sample of this fabric please.

The hardware shopkeeper humored me by spraying my selected colour on the sample of fabric. Datsun blue was the perfect colour match and it seemed to work. I purchased the aerosol can and raced home to try it on my ruined metre of expensive lace. Perfect.

It's imperative to think beyond the square. See pic of John & me above. That is my hair on top of the crownless hat I made. I had a clever hairdresser.

I completed the bridesmaid's frocks well before the wedding, they fitted perfectly, the girls loved them. I don't believe in leaving wedding frocks to the last minute to make, there are so many other preparations that need doing at the last minute and I liked to leave the way clear for last minute necessities and unbeknownst.

This bridal gown was a joy to make; Lorita was thrilled with it, so was I. She wanted me to make the veil, which was very full and long, she picked up the head piece she had professionally made but didn't like it so I pulled it apart and remade it and attached it to the billowing veil. It was an absolutely stunning bridal outfit, she looked like a princess, so lovely.

We utilised our expertise to make this wedding a success at a reasonable cost. Lorita meticulously hand penned the invites, Leanne would do the flowers, Fred our budding photographer friend would do the photos, hire cars would be used for the bridal party with friends driving, Lorita's friend would make the wedding cake.

Lorita and Shane chose a small unassuming Uniting church on OG Road that didn't ridiculously charge for `weddings', they also found a bridal reception house Alden Manor at Paradise, it was grand though old and a bit run down but very comfortable, suitable and affordable. The owners were very accommodating and co-operative allowing the bridal party free reins of the premises all day, an absolute bonus, the girls were able to dress comfortably in the spacious rooms.

These premises were transformed into retirement accommodation soon after this wedding.

10th. May 1991 Shane and Lorita's wedding day. Lorita's carefully planned roster was followed to the minute. She had given everyone written instructions of their duties and all went like clockwork.

I helped Leanne arrange the flowers the previous day, the church looked lovely, some of the flowers would stay at the church for their church services and some would be taken to the reception house.

Lorita and her bridesmaids Leanne and Kirsty arrived at the reception house early so they could pamper themselves in the spacious rooms allocated for the bridal party's use. Their hairdresser friend came and did their hair and makeup.

I and Lorita's mother dressed at our own homes and arrived in time to help the girls into their gowns, they all looked absolutely stunning, I was so proud. Fred arrived and took photos, then off to the church.

It was a lovely wedding ceremony and lovely reception. Alden Manor did the kids proud, the food was good, the music was good, everyone enjoyed themselves and it didn't cost any more than a young couple on meagre wages could afford. It was by far the most enjoyable wedding I have been involved with, no hitches, no bitching and no fights. So, my baby child was the first to commit to marriage. See pic of the wedding party above.

Garuda was offering a holiday special to Bali to celebrate its inaugural flight to Indonesia. It was winter the weather was getting chilly, so we'd partake of this offer especially to a warmer climate besides neither of us had been to Bali. It was such luxury to have no commitments and be able to take advantage of offers that pop up at a minute's notice. We felt like professional holiday makers, we were continually looking for incentives for a holiday especially with winter approaching and the warm northern climate enticing. We loved Bali we stayed at Legian a remote beachside resort a courtesy bus ride through busy farmlands and rice paddies from our resort to the bustling holiday village of Kuta. The resort had top restaurants and provided entertainment most nights. We enjoyed simply relaxing in the surrounds of this resort. One memorable dinner at the resort restaurant John organised three gypsy violinists to serenade us as we toasted each other whilst wining dining and dancing in the lush garden setting of the resort, it was so luxurious and romantic. We just loved the tropical climate, the tropical plants and the luxury of living outdoors. Lying relaxed around the pool I studied the lush garden setting and realised this setting could be created anywhere and I mentioned it to John. You know we can create this ambience and atmosphere back home.

I intended to work on making this dream a reality.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined we would one day own our own tropical paradise.

John contacted the infamous `Bali belly', he was too ill to leave the resort. I would go to Kuta this day and do our shopping. John needed $100US changed into Indonesian rupiah. I was paying for photos I had developed, fumbling through my money sorting out the different currency notes, the shop assistant picked out a `100' note took it and gave me the change and the photos, it wasn't until I went to change John's $100US that I realised I had been duped, the $100US was missing. I remorsefully caught the bus back to our resort and related my sad tale to John. He immediately got up from his sick bed and took me directly back to the police station where we reported my stupidity.

The police thought I had to be daft to mistake a $100US note for an Indonesian 100 Rupee note, to me the difference in currency was irrelevant it was the 100 I was guided by. The $100US note was worth about four months wages to this girl, a fortune in Bali. The police couldn't speak English and we couldn't speak Indonesian, but John got through to the policemen if he got our $100US note back we'd give him half. Instantly I find myself in a police truck sitting between two burly dark-skinned Indonesian cops feeling very conspicuous being fair skinned and blonde driving down the main tourist street of Kuta to the shop where the girl took my money. It was a very embarrassing drive; besides feeling conspicuous and the uncomfortable closeness of the cops I was squeezed between who were rudely suggestive.

I had to identify the offending girl to the police. I was by now wishing I hadn't said anything about losing the money. Back at the police station we could hear the police interrogating the girl, it was awful. I now wished more than ever I hadn't admitted to my ignorance. Eventually the policeman proudly came out with the $100US note, but he wouldn't give it to us, he steered us to a money changer and stood inconspicuously by as he closely watched us change the money and then collected his half all virtually under cover. John knew how the police worked in Asian countries they protected tourists in their own corrupt way, for me it was a huge learning curb, one I would never have believed if I hadn't experienced it. This exercise took all day; we eventually caught the courtesy bus back to our resort with the many other guests who were relating their day's touristy adventures.

And how was your day? one asked.

At the cost of $50US I felt I had been dealt the better deal for a day's entertainment, except for the interrogated girl. Luckily, John recovered from his `Bali belly' with no serious consequences from being dragged from his sick bed.

We spent a lot of time on the beach at our resort where the Balinese folk spruke unsuspecting tourists with watches, wood carvings, trinkets, massages and hair plaiting. John bargained with them to braid my hair, he must have bargained too hard because the braiding was very sparse, they did it on the beach so I couldn't see what they were doing, it wasn't till I got home and saw in the mirror how sparse it was, they did one braid where at least six braids should have been.

John had a win though; he wanted to buy watches, all week he had been bartering with them, finally on the last day of our holiday the guy relented to John's offer, six `brand' watches for $40AUD the guy needed the money to go to boxing lessons. The watches were bought by the kilo that's why the bigger the watch the more expensive it was.

John didn't really swindle them, he simply avoided being swindled as an American tourist obviously was; we were astounded when he proudly showed us the `Cartier' watch he bought from the same guy for only $40US.

We loved it in Bali, especially the climate. We loved Kuta, we felt safe and relaxed there and it was a very affordable place to holiday. We planned to nip over to Kuta often in winter to soak up the warm tropical sun, until… the infamous Bali bombings which killed and maimed many people including Australians. John vowed never to enter Indonesian territory again.

We enjoyed many family gatherings at Moonta and Kent Town with both our families who all enjoyed each other's company. Our welcome home from Bali with all our kids was at Kent Town, it was so central it suited everyone. This was a great night, my plaited hair giving the kids good belly laughs as we distributed the goodies we had bargained for in Bali.

Mark brought along a new lady with whom he was quite smitten. Charmaine an attractive tall slim blonde we decided would easily fit into our family when after introductions she promptly sailed into the kitchen beautifully groomed wearing designer clothes and confidently prepared Oysters Kilpatrick which Mark had delivered to him from our cousin's oyster lease at Denial Bay. John and I sat back and stared; we were impressed. Mark couldn't hide his admiration and pride for his new lady friend.

Mark had bought a lovely property at Carey Gully on acreage with a substantial home, huge sheds, a cold room and natural springs which would not only supply crystal clear spring water to his household but enhance his rapidly expanding water cartage business. Charmaine eventually moved in with him and they became engaged, they planned to marry in October.

John and I were so happy to be sharing our lives together and with our families and many friends we were in an absolute blissful state of total contentment, and pretty much holidayed out. It was a treat to `stay put' for a while. Although I loved "Cosy Cottage' I also loved Adelaide and our town house. John hated cities and was restless until he got back to his beloved `cosy cottage' at Moonta. We both accepted compromising and travelling between the two properties. It was rather decadent to have a city and country property to offset our relaxed lifestyles.

Our life was perfect except John had recurring stomach pains and it wasn't caused through alcohol like I suspected. Finally he went to his gut specialist to discover his pains were caused from Diverticulitis caused by seeds and nuts which we ate during happy hour, the more we drank the more nuts we ate; it was so obvious to us now. John was ecstatic, he had a proper diagnosis it wasn't alcohol that caused his painful attacks. Damn! I liked it when John