Back from my old haunt

I love the peninsula, just love it. If it's a perfect day, as it was yesterday, it can make you feel glad to be alive. The air was fresh, the the park was green and the bay sparkled beautifully under a sun that was, at times, too hot to sit in. But with a few good friends and some wine, we managed.

I'd been a bit hesitant about visiting my Sorrento friends. There are two families who we've kept in touch with over the years since we've moved. When I'm in Malaysia, we don't communicate much, but whenever we get together, it's like I've never left - except that all the kids are bigger.

We arrived in Sorrento at about 3-ish and booked into our B & B right away. It's not a place that normally accepts children, but because the owners were friends of my girlfriend, they were happy to accomodate us - and for a good price. A lovely room and bathroom in one of those old houses that reeks history, decked out tastefully as per photo shoot in Home Beautiful. The kids were impressed and my son continually wondered why we couldn't have a house like that.

And the shower, oh, the shower. One of those rain showers adorned the bathroom, set above a spiffy looking spa bath with gold-coloured fittings. I stood under it for a full 5 minutes, enjoying the hot rain, as it were. Yummo.

Later, refreshed and clean, we wandered down the main street, peaking into the shops but stopping at Siccluna's, my favourite fruit and veg shop. When we were living there, it was just a fruit and veg shop - now it's an everything-you-can-possibly-imagine gourmet food shop - with prices to match. No matter, I did pick up some yummy roasted macadamias and cashews and some chocolate and cookies for the kids. Another few shops down, I bought two bottles of wine and then we headed back to meet up with our friends.

Before I'd even got in the gate, I could hear this screeching laugh - I'd know that laugh anywhere and I shouted that out as we walked in. The welcome was warm and friendly and soon enough we were parked next to the pool, glasses in hand, talking about events that have transpired in all of our lives. The mood was light and happy and they mentioned how happy I seemed - they were concerned though that I didn't yet have a boyfriend! It felt good to be amongst them again.

And the kids again picked up where they left off. There was no shyness, no fighting - they all got on beautifully. In fact, for the whole 6 hours we were there, I hardly saw my kids as they swam and trampolined, played hide and seek and 'jails'! It's been like that here in Oz - when we are at someone's house or even at my parent's place, there's so much to do, I hardly see them. For anyone who thinks my kids are not independent enough - NOT! As I was wishing they would, they've really taken to the life here, especially the outdoors.

On this visit, I was again reminded that no matter how perfect people look on the outside, the 'inside' story is never the same. A while back, the husband of a friend that wasn't there with us, was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. He was manic for 3 months and his bizarre behaviour was spiralling and he ended up being 'committed' to a psychiatric hospital. He's out now, but on medication and blaming his wife for the whole thing. Mental illness is so hard to accept and I think even more so for people who are high achievers and strive for perfection. When my friends told me about this couple, oh, my heart went out to them. They've got a bloody hard road ahead of them, this perfect couple. Their first daughter was 'perfect' - beautiful, smart and athletic. They were hit for a six though, when their second daughter was diagnosed with a serious hearing impairment. They dealt with that well and went on with their lives and their work, but now this. It will be hard for them and if he never accepts what has happened to him, they will never recover. I really do feel for them. Life's lessons are bloody hard.

But back to the topic at hand. After a lovely sleep at the B&B, we played and had breakfast with our friends and then said our goodbyes for another year or two. I don't know when I'll be back, but the kids are going to write to each other and we have promised to keep in touch as well - whether we email or not, I'm always welcome back. I almost choked up, seeing my daughter hug her friends and say goodbye. They're still such good friends - though, seeing my daughter over the last few weeks, I think she could be friends with just about anyone.

So, I'm a little sad this week because it's all going to come to an end sooner than I want it to. Christmas is coming and we're going to enjoy ourselves and be thankful that this year we are with our family. It's been a good week.

Cheers and early Christmas greetings.