I hadn’t set foot in Australia since early 2019. Since then, most of my friends had brought children into the world, my best friend was getting married and I hadn’t seen my “home” Brisbane.

It was time. I was ready.

Getting There

My journey started at 1:50am. After a quick shower, I was surprised to see Andrea at the door to make sure I had an Uber lined up and Katy also sent me a message to see if I needed anything. Such great friends being cognitive at such an hour after the week we had.

My pre-booked Uber driver Walter stood me up, so I picked up a Lyft (for half the price). The drive was quiet and so was the Monterey Airbus station. When two others joined me at the silent post, I was confident I’d get to the airport ok. There were a few sleepy bodies already on the small bus and the driver was a very well dressed man who took our luggage.

After stopping at San Jose airport, me and another lady were the only ones left on the bus. After asking where she was headed, we talked the whole way to SFO. She was a mother of three, one of those a newborn, and while this was just a work trip, her family had just taken the decision to move to New York. She was originally from Pakistan so we talked visas and residency and life decisions in general. She surprised me by asking for my number in case we could run into each other again, then I was off the bus.

The Hawaiian airlines check-in counter wasn’t open yet so I got on the phone with Mum and Dad to give them the Car Week blow-by-blow and keep myself awake. It worked. An hour later I was checked in for my two flights to Australia. Inside the airport, I wheeled myself to a bar serving breakfast and parked up to watch the Wimbledon final rematch between Djokivic and Alcaraz. My perfect timing meant I got to watch the final set tie breaker. I was bummed when my eyes wandered to the TV screen next door to see the news ticker declare Djokovic the winner. Still, it was a good watch.

I spent my remaining hour looking through photos of Car Week. Such a great celebration of the automobile spent with great friends.

My five hour leg to Honolulu went well thanks to a seat with extra legroom awarded to me because I had a short connection. I got into my knitting and looked out the window as we left the fog of San Francisco behind. Off that plane and straight onto another one sitting at the gate next door, I was excited to see it was half-full so looked forward to an empty seat beside me. Unfortunately, there wasn’t quite enough empty seats. The guy sitting in the aisle seat next to me plonked his elbows firmly on both armrests and while I got up to look for an alternative seat, they’d already been nabbed. No matter, I settled in for the ten hour slog to Sydney.

I watched one movie about Elvis and was disappointed so after the meal, I resorted to reading which tired me out for a good sleep. Armed with ear plugs, an eye mask and my inflatable pillow, it was probably the best sleeping experience I’d had on a long haul. Thanks to the lack of passengers, I didn’t feel guilty asking for two servings of dinner and the snack that came at the end.

We landed on time and now came the real challenge… I had forty-five minutes to get to my next flight. Being up the back of the plane, once the two lanes got moving, I grabbed my bag and switched over to the far side. Once in the building, I walked briskly to the passport check. As I waited in the short queue, I asked the Australian customs officer how to get to the domestic terminal and he gave me clear instructions then answered the questions on the passport computer for me to speed things up. He reckoned I had a good chance of making it.

I started running now. Customs form in hand, I was grateful for yet another short queue and tried to steady my breathing before stating I had nothing to declare when asked by the customs officer. Straight through. Running again now, hearing the first customs officer’s voice in my head, I turned right out of customs, turned left at the McDonalds restaurant, then crossed the road and hopped onto a waiting bus. After waiting an agonising five minutes, we departed and to my horror, this bus only went to Terminal 2. I got onto yet another bus to get over to Terminal 3. I asked the driver whether I could make a run for it instead of the bus and he advised that I would be best to stay on. I took my seat and just as the doors closed a gaggle of Virgin flight attendants waved the bus down, running to catch it. All but the overweight attendant ran, so I watched in pain as she waddled at her own pace to the waiting bus.

Once at Terminal 3, I broke into another run. Security was empty and thankfully I didn’t have to remove my shoes or take electronics out of my bag. Then my carry-on bag was directed to the naughty lane. After a few minutes of inspection, they said I was right to go and I ran to my gate. The screen overhead said that boarding was closed. My heart sank. I knew I was taking a risk with these tight connection flights and I’d promised myself that while I would try my hardest, I wouldn’t stress about it and if it came down to spending a night in Sydney, then so be it. But now I was here, the effort required to find a hotel and a flight for tomorrow seemed a lot.

Thankfully, boarding wasn’t closed! I got onto another half-full plane, took my seat by the window and the door closed behind me. Wow. I managed to connect to the Wifi and let Kev know I was on my way, then we were up in the sky with a magnificent lightning storm spreading out over the landscape.

I took all the food they had for this short leg. The Qantas girls happily gave me a full spread of the snacks they had and I chowed into it all. I think I closed my eyes for a little bit, then we were coming into Brisbane. I looked hard out the window searching for landmarks I recognized but only saw the Gateway Bridge.

Once again, I was at the back of the plane so I remained patient then slowly walked through the tunnel. There, right inside the airport, was Kevin. It was Kevin! Hands in his pockets, leaning against a pole, it was Kevin. He smiled right at me then pulled me into a hug. I was home.

We walked out together and didn’t stop talking the whole drive home. We only got off topic when Kev had to point out that the growing smell in the car wasn’t from him but from the “shit farm” that was right by the main road. Kevin was full of pride as we pulled into his driveway. This was his family home. We went straight out into the backyard where we had a beer and kept yarning as we looked out over the pool. This was his oasis.

I didn’t bother with a shower and went straight to bed, careful not to wake the three little girls sleeping nearby. It felt good to be horizontal.

Tug Boat Touring

Audrey’s rustling on the top bunk woke me. She’d migrated downstairs by the time I got out of bed. At the door of the shower, I remembered Kevin talking about his cold plunges in the pool every morning and I thought that was just what I needed. I met Audrey downstairs in my swimmers. She was a big girl now and remembered me more than I thought she would. Outside, I let my body fall into the cold pool and tried to keep my breathing steady as I came up to the surface. I was awake!

Needing to warm and wash my body, I followed it up with a hot shower, then joined the family in the kitchen for breakfast. I gave Claire a big hug and met the new children, Miella and Hallie for the first time.

It was pleasure to just be around the family as they went through their morning routine. Miella danced to a Boom Boom song while Hallie made a mess of her food. Claire and Hallie were off early to work, which left Kev, me and Miella to drop Audrey off for school camp. After stopping in at the shops for last minute camp supplies, we drove around to Audrey’s school and walked from a distant park to the chaos. Kids Audrey’s age were shouting and running around, clearly excited for the upcoming days away from their parents.

We said goodbye to Audrey, chatted with a parent-friend for a minute, then made our way back to the car with Miella insisting on walking on the grass barefoot.

Once home, it was Kev’s turn to get ready for work. Claire, the good fiancé that she is, had already made his lunch so he just had to get dressed and get out the door. Miella had taken a liking to me so Kev entrusted me to take her to daycare as he drove off to the Port of Brisbane.

We ran next to Kev’s car as he drove off, then walked hand-in-hand around the corner. It was scary how content Miella was to walk with a complete stranger to her daycare. Once there, I followed Kev’s detailed instructions to sign her in and drop her bag and water bottle. We found her class outside and when I said goodbye, Miella lost it. She cried and reached for me – a complete stranger – not wanting me to leave her. I picked her up to console her and ventured to find a teacher that she knew. It didn’t take long, eventually she found a familiar face and her cries turned to whimpers as she moved into a teacher’s arms. I made a quick exit, not wanting to make things any worse.

Back at an empty house, I put on some laundry, set up Kev’s bike to suit me, then rode over to the nearby Aldi for a SIM card. After a quick chat with Mum and Dad, I had lunch then packed some dinner and rode off to the Port. A proper bike ride was just what I needed to get me through my first day of Australia-time but shit it was dangerous. My road-sense was backwards making the “look this way” signs at each crossing much needed. I was careful and spent the last half on the ride on bike path which was a relief.

I pressed the button at the gate into Svitzer and Kev met me in the office building. He wears his industrial uniform well! I’d been on a tug boat tour before, but that was when Kev was an engineer. Now he’s a captain so he’s the driver and the boss of the three-man crew.

Once signed in, I followed my tour guide to his boat, the Murrumbidgee. We had time for a safety briefing and a quick tour before we had to get on the water for our first job.

We head out into the bay and per the pilot’s instructions, positioned ourselves at the shoulder of a container ship. The deckhand put the line out and it was retrieved be the big ship’s personnel. We were now attached and Kev positioned the tug alongside the ship to act as a brake. We escorted the huge boat all the way into its position on the wharf then duly followed the pilot’s instructions to push and pull it into place. The whole process took about an hour.

The next job was putting a boat out to sea. This was a simpler ordeal where we attached our lines, pulled him away from the wharf, then turned him around and sent him on his way.

We missed the next job, but that worked out because it meant we had time for a proper tour of the engine room and got to have some play time. Once we’d done a tour, the sun was setting and Kev turned the controls over to me. The responsiveness of the controls is miraculous. Micro movements of either of the two propellors would completely change the trajectory of the tug and it was easy to get confused.

The engineer Havtor and deckhand Tim had retreated down below and when Kevin took over the controls to really show me what the tug could do, he radioed down to them to confirm that all the kitchen condiments were safely stowed, particularly the coffee jar. The last time he’d done some show boating, the coffee jar ended up smashed and its contents all over the floor.

We did high speed doughnuts in both directions that aggressively tilted the boat and flooded the back deck. While the top speed of these boats is pathetic, the torque and response is amazing. He could turn it on a dime, making the water bend to his will and the tug point exactly where he wanted it. You could tell he was driving with feel, where I’d been trying to drive with my brain.

We enjoyed the sunset then tied up at the wharf so we could have a quick dinner before the next job. When I climbed back up to the wheelhouse, it took my eyes a while to adjust to the darkness of night. What had been a brightly lit environment was now a dark room lit up by LED controls and panels.

Kevin raced his partner tug out to sea so that he could be on this car ship’s quarter (the rear) so I could see a similar job from a different perspective. Having had my driving experience, I was watching the propellor dials closer, trying to understand Kevin’s maneuvers better. Once we had our lines up and were acting as a brake directly behind the ship, I asked why when Kev sent the tug out wide so that he was pulling the ship slightly sideways. He laughed then told me it was because he’d fucked it up. Of course the engineer and deckhand were in the wheelhouse with us but that didn’t stop him being honest.

The pilot had a tough job fitting this ship in between two others that were already parked but it all went well. It made me realize just how much is at stake with these maneuvers that happen multiple times a day. The communication between the ship and the tug is always professional, even when the ship’s crew dropped the lines on Havtor’s head. Despite the hand signals exchanged, Kevin calmly informed the ship’s pilot of the poor behavior and an apology quickly ensued.

I was fading at this point, grateful for the distraction that had kept me up past 7pm. I think Kev could see that so as we putted back to base, he offered to drive me home. Though it wasn’t normal for him to leave his post during a shift, it was doable since there weren’t any jobs in the near future that the Murrumbidgee was needed for.

I was really fighting my eyelids by the time we pulled into the driveway but I managed a quick catch up with Claire who was buying shoes for her bridesmaids. I was happy to hit the pillow around 9pm and get a great night’s sleep.

Kev & Sarah’s Dog Wash Service

Another cold plunge early in the morning. Kev and Claire had both done their F45 gym routine and were ready for the day. Miella wasn’t having a good start to the day. When Claire picked her up at childcare yesterday, her shoes had been put on the wrong foot. This would normally just be a funny whoopsie, but for Miella who wore special shoes, it was serious. She could barely walk this morning. She kept looking down at her leg as if wondering why it wasn’t working properly. Kev gave her left leg a good stretch which brought tears of pain to her eyes and she was a little better after that, but still wasn’t right.

Claire took Miella to day care prepared to have a talk with the operators to see just how they could make such a silly mistake. That left Hallie with us for our morning of errands. We drove over to Claire’s Mum’s place with the trailer and picked up her dog wash bath that was stationed in the front yard. She then followed us over to her place of work around the corner, a space in a big open car port where she did dog washing and nail trimming.

Hallie got out and crawled around while we switched out dog baths. Kevin had already attempted to fix the one in the carport but without the right tools and short on time, his fix had come undone. We dropped off the one from Heather’s house and put the broken one in the trailer to go back to the “workshop” which was Kevin’s front yard. We stuck around long enough to meet Heather’s first customer – a huge black fur ball who had an appointment with Heather once a month just to keep his crazy hair under control.

Back to Kev’s house, we put Hallie down for a sleep and got to work. The wheels of this dog bath needed replacing and the plumbing underneath was all sorts of broken. We couldn’t really do much straight away, but made a list of what we’d need at Bunnings. Claire came home and watched us work for a bit before heading out again to run an errand.

Kev talked all sorts of nonsense about welding up a metal frame to install on the bottom of the dog wash to give it some rigidity but I talked him into using a pair of 2x4s. He wasn’t immediately convinced, but my solution was cheap and easy so he came around.

Off to Bunnings armed with our list, we were the definition of efficiency, walking the aisles crossing off the things we needed. In the timber section, Kevin piped up again about a steel frame but I managed to drive my idea home and we walked out with a single 2×4.

Back home, Hallie was awake and she kept us company while we worked. Despite the majority of our friendship being long distance, Kev and I make a good team. Kev reckons that with his muscle and my brain, we’re the ultimate engineer. I was just excited to see Halle holding spanners. Engineer!

With Hallie having her midday nap, we finished the job and had time enough for lunch before loading the new and improved bath into the trailer. Taking the baby this time, we drove across town to my place.

I bought this unit in 2014 and since Tesla came along, had rented it out ever since. I always make a point of seeing it when I’m back and this was my first time meeting this tenant who had a lovely dog keeping her company. The place was in pretty good shape but we pointed out a few things that needed doing. My tenant basically said all the right things to make me not raise the rent or sell. She’s hoping she can save enough money and buy it from me one day. Her lease is up in January so I’ll think more about it then. I definitely don’t want to live in it again. Life has changed and as Kev said, the garage which once seemed considerable is now much too small for the workshop I require.

We had a good chat with my agent Angela outside and she gave me the latest on the rental market in Brisbane saying a few things that surprised us both. Back in the car, we finished up our dog washing services. Heather was a happy customer to see the upgrades but was wrist-deep in poodle hair so she’d have to try it out later. We took her other bath back to her place, ditched the trailer, then kept on in the car driving out to Jayne and Ash’s place.

Last time I saw Jayne, she was pregnant with Elliot. She’d had him while I was in Brassie but I never met the baby. Now Elliot was a big brother to Owen. The kids met us on the front porch and they did their typical shy thing while us adults caught up on the living room floor. Hallie and Owen played “near each other” a while then Kev had to get back for dinner time.

We spent the evening catching up out on the back deck and I got to know the kids. Jayne and Ash are expert house renovators and knowing they’d done all the kitchen and back deck work themselves made it that much more enjoyable.

First Pie

Despite warnings that I would be kept up by screaming children in the night, I woke only to their footsteps across the floor above me. What a shock to see how different boys behave! Fair enough Hallie isn’t walking yet and Owen can sprint, but these boys fight! They roll over each other and flail their arms around, but you can tell they love each other.

Jayne was working from home and Ash had his usual Friday off so planned to do some work in the yard with the boys. Time for a Daisy tour! Jayne and Ash invested in a Sprinter van similar to mine a few years ago. A bright yellow ex-DHL delivery van, I was desperate to see it in detail. She was a meter or so shorter than Berta, with a manual transmission, but otherwise identical. They’d built it out really well considering the bench seat that was needed for the two littlies. I almost feel like I was drilling Ash, but he was happy to explain all the bits and pieces. I am definitely going to steal their window covering design.

I left the boys to their chicken coup dismantling to run off and do some buck’s party errands. I had Kev’s bike with me, but I had to pick up some supplies so borrowed Jayne’s car. First time driving on the left side of the road in a while! I concentrated hard and made sure I looked both ways even when I didn’t have to and it went ok.

By the time I was done running around, it was 11:30am. Pie time! I picked up a pack of pies and sausage rolls from the Holland Park bakery and hoped I would beat sandwich time at home. That I did and if I wasn’t friends with the boys, I sure was now.

Jayne was still working, the boys were put to sleep and Ash was off to get a new welder so I excused myself to visit Lizzy and meet her daughter Dawn.

Lizzy’s place is a short but hilly ride from Jayne’s and after the drive my road sense was much better. It’s like I’d “clicked” back to Australia-mode. The house of Lizzy and Geoff was much transformed since I last saw it. They’d done a beautiful job with the front yard with beautiful bouganvilliay growing over a bright white fence and the side yard was nicely crowded with lavender bushes. They’d also redone the inside adding two bedrooms and a bathroom. I loved the way they’d done it, keeping the original charm of the house intact. Also Lizzy was inside the house!

She met me at the back door half dressed and holding Dawn. Ha ha, it was typical Lizzy and I love her for it. Geoff’s parents Elaine and Geoff Snr. were in the house per the normal Friday ritual so it was a fun atmosphere to walk into. I slotted into the kitchen nook and met Dawn, Lizzy’s few-month old. Despite the big hugs with these great friends that I haven’t seen in years, nothing felt like a big reunion, it just felt normal.

Lizzy, Elaine and I chatted away over a cuppa in between a yelling Rory and chuckling Dawn. Geoff made a celebrity appearance when he came back from the office to work from home. I love the Faulkner household because it never stops moving.

We did have some business to get to – our wedding outfits. Claire had picked them out and bought them for us and they needed a try-on. They were beautiful and a much more fashionable choice than what Lizzy and I could have made but they needed work. I’d expected that but it was going to be a bit more sewing than I thought. We got Kev on the phone to see about borrowing a sewing machine from Dani, her maid of honor. When Kev mentioned she was coming over to their house Monday I suggested we all get together for a pre-wedding work day where I could sew with Lizzy and I present. Jon was on the phone with Kev and he liked the sound of that so it was a plan.

After walking down to James’ school for pick-up, I got to walk with Lizzy back to her place to get the bike and head back to my rooms for the night. When I got back to Jayne & Ash’s place, the work week was done and the boys were having a “swim” in buckets in the backyard. Ash looked as cheeky as the boys holding the hose while the boys stood naked in a bucket each. This is winter in Brisbane.

We enjoyed another dinner on the back deck and I got to spend some more time with Ash while Jayne did bed time.

Bucks

The day before the big day! Held the week before! Kev was instructed to be at Jayne & Ash’s place at 9am and he was right on time. Also on time was Simon, a bucks attendee who was catching a ride with us. Simon was another friend I hadn’t seen a long while so I got more hugs. We chatted inside a while before I played director and said it was time to go. It would be a theme for the day but one that I enjoyed.

I took the keys off Kevin and was happy to have had a day of practice solo before now being responsible for passengers. We talked the whole way out to Paperback Flats, Kevin wondering just what the hell we were getting into – he had not been privy to our plans for the day and night.

We were the first ones there but Lizzy was only minutes behind. Geoff and his son James and Rory went over to the picnic tables and got us set up for our morning tea while waiting for people to trickle in. Lizzy had made scones and a cake and we popped a couple of bottles of champagne to mix with her home made orange juice. Friends trickled in. This was Kevin’s day, but it was special for me because this was my first time getting back with the crew.

Nik appropriately showed me through his short-roof Hyundai camper van with pride, John Sicoli’s eyes smiled at me as much as his mouth did but it was Jon who broke me. Jon who I’d gone 18 months without speaking to, Jon who’d been one of the first people I became friends with in Brisbane, Jon my mate who I didn’t realize I’d missed so much. I walked out to meet him and he smiled at me with his distinct grin and pulled me into a hug. I started crying immediately. I had so much to tell him. Now that I’d seen him, I felt home.

I wiped my eyes and we joined the rest of the party at the picnic tables. I was surprised that we easily killed the two bottles of champagne and Lizzy had catered beautifully with the food. Needing to get going, we got everyone onto the trail. Geoff and his boys went sideways to explore some bouldering while the rest of us started our stroll through the bush.

Lizzy was bossing it with Dawn in her carrier, an unlikely element in a bucks party, but none of this was supposed to be “proper”. We separated naturally into groups and chins wags the entire walk. I got to catch up with Jon and got to know Kev’s high school mate Matt a little. I was glad he’d come. He must have felt a little out of place not knowing the rest of the group but he seemed to be enjoying himself.

The walk was steady and we were at White Rock before we knew it. Lizzy was our tour guide having been here before and announced the destination. She also mentioned that there may be some rule about not climbing to the top of the rock. She stayed on ground level with Dawn while the rest of us went up for the view. It was a nice outlook. We were surrounded by bush with civilization in the form of a new development in the distance.

The walk back was as enjoyable as the walk out and we found Geoff and kids as we neared the carpark. It was so tempting to just linger and keep hanging out where we were, but there was more fun to be had! Everyone split from the now full carpark to meet up at our next destination.

Simon opted for Nik’s van so it was just me and Kev back to Lizzy’s place. We cleaned up there then set off to Breakfast Creek Hotel. This is a gorgeous pub on the river that used to be quaint but has expanded to a multi-nook establishment. The host didn’t give us encouraging news, telling us politely to pack our bags. He couldn’t give us a table. I was thinking we’d have been able to take up some bar space to drink and eat but no, that’s an American thing! Thankfully, Claire’s brothers messaged and said they already had beers in hand. Kev lead the way since he knew their faces and we found Daniel and Mark and got us a pair of beers to go with theirs.

It was about then that Mikey joined us. My boyfriend of a year or so, it was good to see him. He looked happy, healthy and taller than ever. I could see immediately that he was in hospitality mode. He cleared empty beer glasses from the table and when he heard there was no table reservation, he moved off into the crowd. He returned ten minutes declaring that he’d found us a corner. He sure had! He spoke the right language that allowed us to occupy two big tables in the corner of the outdoor area. It was perfect. Thanks Mikey.

We soon had twenty people seated, eating, drinking and being merry. I caught up with Marie and Sean, excited to hear about their upcoming plans to get their house renovated and move to France for a new army posting. The boys showed up with their bikes all cleaned up for a night out, it was just like old times. Lizzy was soon there too with Dawn in the pram. She really was bossing the motherhood thing – at a bucks party!

The day was moving too quickly, we had to get to the next spot! I moved off with an advance party to The Boo. Only a short walk, it is the oldest lawn bowls club in Queensland. It looked it perched right by the main road with its withering lawn that I assume is no longer used for serious competition. We were welcomed, shown the rules of the game, then got a few jugs of beer before going for a roll. The wind made it chilly, but we made up for it by walking briskly up and down the green to change ends.

Dawn was a novelty and she enjoyed being passed around. An extremely happy baby, she was smiling as long as she was bouncing in someone’s arms, on the ground eating grass or had Mum in sight.

When the sun went down we were happy to move inside and though it looked like the pub was packing up for the night (at 6pm!), we posted up for more drinks and the game element of the night. We said goodbye to Lizzy and a few others who weren’t staying for the evening festivities, then we got to Trivia.

I was nervous about this, thinking that everyone was having such a good time that maybe we didn’t need such a gimmick, but I ploughed forwards. I was so glad I did because everyone had a laugh. Kev had to think about the answers to some questions and there was plenty of piss-taking. Peter earned the wooden spoon for knowing nothing about Kev while Mark took the honors of knowing the most. 

As is the usual custom for a night out in Brisbane, our next venue was Sicoli’s. I could really relax now because there was no more planning to the day, the agenda was to drink and be merry. We all split into our various forms of transport and though Daniel had to bail for family stuff, Mark joined us in Kev’s car for the drive over to John’s. Parking was a mess so we were the last ones up.

Right inside the door I met Joanie, Sicoli’s house mate. She’d been a climber and friends with the group a long while but I’d never come across her, not even when she’d been Mike. She had 3d printed rockets in her hands and predictably, Jon was standing next to her hearing all about her technical start-up. I could barely take any of it in. John had re-done the apartment and I was in awe. Mikey had been his housemate when we were dating so I’d seen a lot of it. It brought back a lot of good memories, especially that view out to the Story Bridge. John gave me a private tour and I loved seeing the pride in his eyes.

After a round of drinks, the fridge was empty, it was time to move on. We didn’t get very far before John and Jon had to give me the update on Howard Smith Wharves. What had been a singular brewery underneath the Story Bridge the last time I’d seen it was now a bustling expanse of eateries and boardwalk. There was an elevator right by the park! Wow, I’d been gone a long time.

Down “John’s elevator”, we were in the meat market. This part hadn’t changed. It was a Saturday night and this was the place to be seen in your best dress. I saw Joanie from a distance work some serious magic to get us a table big enough and thoroughly enjoyed sitting with my back to the walkway and facing Joanie and John. It was easy to tell when a handsome person walked behind me. They were hilarious.

This may seem boring for a buck’s party but we all just sat, ate bits and pieces, drank beers and talked over the music. I caught up with Nik some more and with John. Mostly I was happy to sit across from Kev and listen to his stories. We called it a night around 11pm and just as Kev wanted, he’d had a beer in his hand all night but wasn’t stupid drunk. For those that remained, we walked up to John’s place and said our goodbyes in his carpark. I’d been going very light on the drink so it was a pleasure to drive my mate home.

Claire scared the shit out of both of us when we heard her voice through the security camera in the carport when we pulled in. She was happy to have her fiancé safely back. We said goodnight and both snuck into our respective rooms.

Frog

My alarm went off at 6am and I managed to sneak out of Audrey’s room without waking her. As I was heading down the stairs, Kev was at the top offering me a life over to Jayne’s place. I told him to shut up and have a much-needed lie in, I was happy to ride his bike over there. He hesitated, then was convinced. I wished him a happy Sunday.

I was happy to be out on the bike early morning. It wasn’t too cold and felt a bit like a commute. I’d forgotten just how well connected Brisbane is. The bike lane system is just so massive, I hardly rode alongside cars.

I rocked up at Jayne & Ash’s place and they were getting the kids ready. Ash had already packed their car for a day of climbing yesterday. We were going out to Frog’s Buttress. Only an hour’s drive from Brisbane, it was their local climbing crag and miraculously I hadn’t been there! It was strange for them to leave Daisy in the carpark and of course the kids wanted Mum to sit in the back squished between them.

It was a beautiful drive through the country with kangaroos abounds and the lovely country town of Boona. A tempting place to have a home but Jayne explained the summers are just horrendous. The Frog season was coming to an end and it was the heat that shut it down.

As we neared the national park, I spotted a sign and yelled out “Fresh Bread!” I assumed my local friends knew what it was but the fresh bread stand we came upon was a new addition. How cool! We stopped and put some money in the jar for a loaf of sourdough and a baguette. Hoofing into the baguette straight away, it was delicious! The only disappointment was that it hadn’t been in place at the start of the climbing season.

Contrary to the stories of Sunday crowds J&A had told me about, the carpark was nearly empty. Must be the heat scaring people off. Jayne got the kids out then hurried Ash and I off to get climbing. This was their usual Frog ritual – one of them staying up top with the kids while the other climbed with mates down below. It was just too unsafe for the kids at the crag with risk of rock fall and just a bunch of dirt to play in.

Now Ash is a seasoned climber who climbs a lot and not on the easy stuff. I’m glad I had a few sessions in the Phoenix gym before coming home but I knew I’d be digging deep to follow him up the wall. We “warmed up” on a 21 called Infinity. He was surprised it and the chimney climb next to it was free because it was THE classic route at Frog. Seemed like a great place to start!

It was a gorgeous route. Ash made easy work of the trad lead and got excited about a cam stuck in the wall about a third of the way up. It wasn’t to be though as none of the three nut tools J&A owned were with us. I enjoyed the crack climbing gloves Jayne leant me for the featured crack leading up the middle part of the route. It was my first time with them and though they were too small for my hands, it kinda felt like cheating it made the grip so good. Don’t care!

The view up top was beautiful, spanning out into a green valley and a day so clear we could see a fire burning in the far distance. Ash pointed out the ridge where he planned to paraglide from one day before lowering himself down.

The chimney route next to Infinity was super fun. A nightmare climb for a lot of people, I enjoyed the awkwardness and creativity required to move your body between three and sometimes four close-proximity walls.

Ash managed another route which was a link-up of two next to each other with “Epic” in the name. Another easy run up the wall for him but he was enjoying himself. That brought us to lunch time so we left the rope up and our gear at the base to head up and meet Jayne.

Owen was asleep in the pram while Elliot was supposedly sleeping in the car seat. Our sourdough sandwiches were to die for with the fresh bits Jayne had brought. The entertainment wasn’t bad either thanks to a gang of motorbikes with side cars that pulled in for a short stop. One of them wasn’t having it, he was disappointed there wasn’t a pub in sight!

It was Jayne’s turn now and this arrangement reminded me of riding with Derek and Kylie in Santa Cruz when their first kid was young. I rode with one parent while the other held the baby, then with the other parent. It meant both parents got to ride (win) and I got to ride twice as much (win).

Jayne got onto the epic climb first and it was a pleasure to watch my mate climb again. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen her on a wall. What a super mum, she moved deftly and thoughtfully with smooth motion. With her on the ground, I followed her up and remembered what I’d seen to get through the first section. The middle saw me hang-dog for a bit, then I was able to move up the rest of the climb. I was toast and Jayne could see it. She was happy when I said I might have to call it a day. She was happy just to have been on the wall and I was happy to have experienced Frog.

After some rope-pulling effort (caught in a crack up top), we packed up and hiked out. Talk about a great local crag. We’d run into a couple Ash knew in the morning, the approach was a five minute set of stairs and we’d been on only a tiny section of the crag.

At the top, Ash was a little unimpressed that we’d only managed one route, but we both told him to shut up. The boys were excited to see us.

I got to sit in the back this time and we stopped yet again at the bread stand on our way out for some Fig and Walnut loaf. Jayne also wrote the baker a note of appreciation and let him know about eh climbing season. I was pretty happy with myself when I convinced Elliot to close his eyes and sleep so that we could share a treat when he woke up.

There was talk of another bucket “swim” when we got home but by the time we got there it was getting dark and a bit too cold. Spag bog for dinner and as soon as we finished we looked forward to a slice of fig and walnut bread for dessert. It was about then that Ash wondered where the bread ended up. He searched the car and we soon figured out that Jayne never picked up the loaf! She’d put money in the jar and the loaf had been in the car at some stage, but it must have gone back to the stand with the note of appreciation. Well, Ash and I made sure she understood her mistake!

The boys had an easier time getting to bed tonight which left us adults to reminisce about the Astro and the paragliding trips it took J&A on when they were in the States.

My Brisbane Family (Mon)

I had a bit of a lie in, but was up in time to see Ash off to work and help the kids get dressed. Jayne was at work and was having a typical Monday with one of her workers getting his $150,000 work ute stolen. Around 7am, we rushed out the door and dropped the boys at their daycare around the corner. Jayne walked in like she owned the place and the kids went to their stations like clockwork. A well-oiled machine this is!

Jayne was back to work and I got packing. Everywhere I stayed I let myself spread out a bit so I had to bring it all back into the case for another transfer. Between meetings, Jayne came down and said goodbye and thanked me for staying as if that was necessary. I was so grateful to have spent quality time with her and her family.

Lizzy picked me up not long after and I lugged my shit and Kev’s bike into her car. Dawn got straight onto her crying and carrying on as we drove over to Kev’s. She’s not a car baby. At Kev’s, Miella was just finishing up a physio session and Kev was out running errands so Lizzy, Rory, Dawn and I made ourselves comfortable on the back verandah.

In the next half an hour, Claire, Miella and Hallie joined us, Claire’s bridesmaids Dani (and her son) and Sami showed up, Kev came home and Jon strolled in. The house was in constant motion for the rest of the morning. I set the sewing machine up on the outside table and got to work on Lizzy’s outfit first. The girls worked on the dried flower arrangements for the wedding arbor under a shade structure in the backyard, Jon kept me company at the sewing machine, then had a long chat with Kev when I got to concentrating. Rory kept us updated on the planes flying overhead.

At one point, Jon asked me if I felt like I was home. I was sitting pantsless having just pinned up my pants, Lizzy was walking around in her bra with Dawn on her hip, Claire and the girls were on their knees in the grass and Kev was making snacks for the kids as they played outside. Yep, this sure felt like home. It felt like family. It wasn’t the place, it was the situation that made me feel like home. Here were all these people moving around a home and it was effortless. No one was “entertaining”, everyone was being themselves, we all had minor tasks to do and we were doing them. 

Everyone broke up having successfully completed their jobs by the kids’ lunch time nap. With the kids put down, Claire and Kev left Hallie and Miella in mine and Jon’s care while they went to sort out the grog for the wedding. It was a nice chance for Jon and I to have some one-on-one time though I didn’t give him the full update on my life yet.

When Miella woke up, that was Jon’s queue. We said goodbye and I did my best to appease a Miella who wasn’t happy with wake up to hugs from me. The fast friendship we’d formed only last week was obviously on hold! Thankfully Hallie was an easier wake up. She just stood in her crib looking expectantly at me when I opened the door.

Kev and Claire returned empty-handed but the alcohol could be sorted at a later date. They’d both missed the gym this morning so it was time for a run along the Manley foreshore. We piled into the car with the pram and all the accessories and were soon jogging in the sea breeze. I would have been happy to push the pram but Miella wasn’t having any of it. Had to be Dad. Fine, harder jog for him!

Once home, Kev and Claire did kid dinner, bath time and bed time while I grilled some veggies and steaks on the BBQ. Kevin came in to do a final wellness check on the steaks before he considered them ready. I hadn’t cooked meat in a while.

We woofed down dinner because it was time for touch footy! This is just a typical day in the life of K&C, they definitely get after it. Kev and I drove out to Cleveland and made it to the lit up rugby fields just in time for the 7:30pm siren. Kev was probably the youngest on his team called the “Cougars”. It was a good watch but shit it was cold sitting on the sidelines. I was wearing all the clothes I’d brought with me. The thirty minute game went quickly and Kevin was easily their best defensive player but they had this short and quick guy who scored the tries.

I was in bed not long after getting home. What a day “at home”.

Wedding Errands (Tue)

We had a much-needed easy day today. Claire had her last day of work so Kev and I had both girls in tow for some wedding errands in the morning. But first, Kev had a mini place to show me. In his mind, I’d shown him this place but there was no way I’d been there before. It was only ten minutes from his place and what a gem of Mini glory!

The owner, Mike, was stationed at the huge open roll-up door with Minis all around. Some were on hoists being actively worked on by his two-man crew, others were parked elsewhere in the workshop in various states of restoration. When he saw us approaching with the girls, he said he didn’t think he could help us with humor. He was on for a chat and showed us around the shop, talking about all the work they had on. No two were similar. A Cooper S was having a modified head put on its 1275cc motor which Mike and I agreed seemed a shame, but he has to do what the customer wants. In the right shed, we saw Mike’s personal projects – a panel van that would keep its patina look but be a rocket and a Mini Make that needed some love. The side yard was an organized inventory of parts such as windows, windscreens and other bits that could withstand the weather. Once Mike’s dog came out to say hi, we made our way back towards the car. He was a happy dog but a little over-friendly for Miella’s liking. After another twenty minutes looking over and talking out Mike’s weekend open-wheel custom race car, we went on our way.

We had a successful shop at K-Mart and Coles for wedding gear with the girls enjoying their rides in the trolleys. Back home, it was nap time and I had a grand prix to watch. Kev stayed with me for a few laps of the Dutch GP but soon decided he’d rather take a nap. Claire got home from work a few minutes later and joined him. The household was quiet except for the sound of F1 cars emanating from my laptop.

In the afternoon, I packed some snags, bread and my climbing gear to head to Kangaroo point. Kev was heading to work for a night shift so we wouldn’t be climbing together, but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to climb my favorite walls.

I felt nostalgic big time driving to the bottom of the cliffs. Jayne called just as I was pulling up to see if there was any parks free and I was able to report that yes there was. It was a beautiful Tuesday night and the walls were nearly empty. Only in Brisbane. J&A pulled in with the boys and Nik and Leila were close behind them. I gave a happy hug to Leila. Someone I hadn’t been in touch with since I left, but a smiley person with a lot of wisdom and enthusiasm for a good time.

Nik made me feel special by asking what it was that I wanted to climb and since we happened to be posted up in front of Idiot Wind, that had to be it. Ash happily lead that while I started up on Dysentary with Leila’s catching me. What a pleasure! I was climbing at KP! Amazing that after all these years, I remembered the hidden pockets of this route and adjusted quickly to climbing under the lights.

I was surprised to meet a pair of climbers towards the top of the route about to throw a rope down and I warned them against it. They obliged having already put up about a dozen ropes.

Down on the ground, tall Nick and John Sicoli were at the bar chatting. Nick it a lovely Brit who stands about 7 feet tall and has the smile of an angel. He hadn’t changed one bit and I wasn’t sure that I’d get to see him so it was great to catch up. He lit up when I congratulated him on the birth of his second son Lucas with Georgie. He promised that I’d get to see her at the wedding.

When Elliot came over to ask if the sausages could be cooked soon we hopped across the bike path and he got the BBQ lit. Ash took over the cooking duties while I pulled away to chat to Marie and give Leila a catch on Dysentary. We used beer in place of oil for the sausages that were sticking to the BBQ and enjoyed a traditional KP dinner.

Now Idiot Wind time. Nik belayed me and John Sicoli commentated as I moved my hands and feet over the classic route. This climb must be the best I’ve ever done. It is four climbs in one with vastly different features to navigate on each section, and it’s not straight forward. I was on cloud nine as I came down. And to be doing it with these great mates was just epic.

We said goodnight to J&A and the boys then sat on the bar as Marie ascended Idiot Wind. It frustrated her, but she was happy to get to the anchor. It wasn’t exactly a big night of climbing, but it was just perfect. I think Kevin felt he was missing out because he messaged me saying he wanted to climb Beerwah with me tomorrow. I told him I was in and it made the conversation turn to Kev. We were all excited to watch him get married and we ended up just chatting about him, about how we’d all met him and our best Kev experiences. We were celebrating our mate.

We all hugged goodbye with anticipation of meeting again on Saturday. I took Sicoli’s gear as he rode and I drove over to his place. I had his fully loaded snowboard bag in the car to return to him after the boys’ ski trip a few weeks before that had been at Kev’s place since. I helped him carry it up the three flights of stairs then said goodnight. Damn my arms were sore.

Beerwah with the Groom (Wed)

Per Kev’s instructions, I was up at 6am and we were out of the house at 7am, leaving Claire with breakfast duty. I did ask if a hike was entirely appropriate considering any wedding prep that might need doing, but I was assured it’s all good. Kevin was itching to have an adventure with me. We just had to be back in time to relieve Claire of Hallie for her nail appointment with her bridesmaids.

The drive went quickly and we were soon walking out of the dirt carpark onto the trail. But this was a hike with Kev, we weren’t staying on the trail. After only a few hundred meters we turned off it and followed a patted down track through the bush.

We scrambled up grippy rock, grabbing at tree trunks and following faded signs of a trail to lead us towards the top of the peak. We had panoramic views the whole way up and again I was reminded of just how hot a Brisbane winter could be. You wouldn’t be caught dead up here in the Summer. The black rock under our feet collected the heat and sprung it straight up into our faces.

As we neared the top, I drew in a steep breath looking at the face of Beerwah. It was.a perfectly vertical cliff side with huge pillars that faded into the wall making it a prime spot for repelling. Climbing not so much apparently though it looked it.

As we moved over to the back face of the mountain, we got turned around more than once, following one of many false trails before climbing through an old lava tube and finally finding our way to Shell Rock. It was a great piece of lava-formed rock that you could stand up straight in and wonder how it must have formed.

We didn’t stay long. Our trail hunting escapades meant we were trying to beat the clock. We scrambled down the back side, really working our calves and testing the grip of our shoes. Yet more trail finding, I’m sure we didn’t take the most direct route down. Kev assured me we’d be able to do some running to make up time once we hit the trail.

That we did, settling into a job whenever the trail allowed it but still chatting away. I would find out later that during our hike he was testing out bits of his groom’s speech for Saturday. It was a good chance for us to talk about the serious stuff and I was grateful for the chance. As we were jogging, Kev was mid-sentence when his voice went up an octave and he shouted “SNAKE!!” He jumped about a foot in the air as he flailed his body high up above the snake that was crossing the trail. He’d only just avoided stepping straight on him.

I yelled in response and started back tracking, nearly tripping over myself and the roots under my feet. The snake wasn’t dangerous and was already buggering off but I started up jogging straight away laughing. We stayed in a jog laugh until the uphill put a stop to it and we slowed to a walk, me still giggling at our reactions to the snake.

Towards the end, I was outrunning Kev and once I reached the car, I touched it then turned back, just like the runbacks we used to do in SHIT training. We got straight into the car and Kev drove us swiftly home.

We met Claire in the supermarket carpark where Hallie was sound asleep in the back. We switched cars and she went off to her appointment. We’d made it in just enough time. We tried to be stealthy as we got in the car but Hallie, though silent, was wide awake. Home then and Kev successfully put her down for a proper nap. We had some lunch and since Kev’s interest in the F1 had piqued thanks to yesterday, I put on the 2021 Abu Dhabi finale for him to experience. His reaction was suitable.

Claire got home around the same time Hallie woke up and Kev’s Dad called. He was ready for us to go get the car trailer. Righto! Claire stayed with Hallie while we drove out to Cleveland. We were greeted at the familiar home by Chris and Jenny. Jenny was full of energy and came bounding out of the house to give me a hug. She was clearly excited for her son to get married. We met Chris at the car trailer, he was already getting things ready. To my surprise, his super rare steam car was in the trailer. I didn’t feel that I should be looking at this thing, let alone pushing it out of the trailer!

We got it out and you could tell Chris was happy to talk anyone’s ear off about this vehicle. It was a spectacle of early engineering. Wanting to get Kev back in time for kid’s dinner, we locked the trailer up ready for transport and got it hooked up to the Subaru. Now we had to rush to get to Supercheap to get an adaptor for the lights. It’s easy to forget that shops in Australia shut at 5:30pm on weekdays!

It was fun to go into the shop where my “career” had started, even if it was only for a $10 part. Kev backed the trailer expertly into the carport, then we were done for the day.

Claire already had dinner started and when she and Kev went up stairs for bath and bed time, I cooked us adult dinner. It was all laid out by the time Kev came down and lit the fire. It was good we’d gone out for the hike because Kev had been feeling stress creep in, so it was nice to have a relaxing night by the fire with some fajitas.

I was thinking that I could make a great au pair for these two. 

River Wander with Jon (Thu)

Kev and Claire made me feel lazy! They were back from their gym routine and had the kids fed by the time I got out of bed. I was starting to feel a little under the weather. My voice was starting to go, probably from the persistent talking.

Claire was done working for the week so we went to their local cafe for smoothies and a breakfast sandwich. The smoothies were as good as advertised and we enjoyed sitting in the sun despite being next to a busy road. Claire couldn’t stay long, needing to get to her hair appointment so she drove off leaving us with the pram to walk home.

These two were so well organized that we didn’t have a whole lot left to do. I gathered everyone’s outfits and steamed them to give us the best chance of looking our best on Saturday. It was easy work but I had steamer’s arm by the end of it! Kev did other preparation bits and bobs as I did that and as the hours ticked by I kept asking, “is Claire still in the chair?” It would be my worst nightmare, but I’m sure she was enjoying it.

Once she got home, I wanted to give the couple some time to themselves so I drove over to Lizzy’s place for an afternoon hang out before my meet up with Jon at Southbank. I was straight into the kitchen nook again and with Rory in daycare and Geoff at work, the house was quiet – a complete contrast to last week. We hung out in the backyard with Dawn trying her best to eat grass, then we moved to the front yard for more of the same. It was effortless, just catching up.

Lizzy & Dawn walked down the hill with me to the train and I caught it into Southbank. I was ahead of Jon so I wandered towards the Maritime Museum where the weekend festivities would be. Wow, what a place to get married.

Wandering back towards the train, I lay underneath a light installation until Jon appeared and joined me under the colorful LEDs. We went straight into engineer mode pointing out the defects and trying to figure out the type of lights they’d used.

With neither of us desperate for food, we walked along the river towards the Story Bridge and the Story Bridge Hotel. While it had been good to see Jon at the Bucks and our Monday family day, it was so nice to have one-on-one time with him. I told him what was going on in my life and he did the same for his. We agreed we wouldn’t lose touch again.

We had a lovely dinner at the Story Bridge hotel. Another old stomping ground for both of us, it had been vastly improved since we were both last there. Nothing like a Guinness pie.

Walking back along the river, we slowed at various points along KP to point out our favorites and reminisce about the climbs we’d had together. Coming close to Southbank, Jon said he wanted the walk to go on, to never end, and I felt the same. I was in my favorite city in the world with my great mate and I just felt “together again”.

We caught different trains from the station and I walked up the hill to Lizzy’s place. It was late and so I didn’t call in.

Back at Kev’s I crept into the house via the garage that was chock-a-block full of alcohol. They’d had a productive afternoon!

Rehearsal (Fri)

Today was going to be busy. Right after breakfast, Kev and I took the trailer to pick up 80 chairs from a party hire place nearby. The arbor was already in the trailer and we expected it to fill up quick so we tried to be strategic in our packing.

The house quickly became a hive of activity. Heather and her friend Sandra were over to look after the kids and Claire’s dad Paul showed up soon after. Claire also had a friend drop in to give her congratulations in the form of a gift and a big hug.

Kev, Paul and I got to work stacking the trailer. We loaded all of the alcohol, the crates of bits of pieces Claire had pre-packed, the beer fridge and basically anything that had been staged in the garage.

We all left in different cars to head to the Maritime Museum – Paul with a huge esky to fill with ice, Claire to meet the Festoon light guy and me and Kev towing all the gear. There were a few phone calls exchanged on the drive but all was well. By 9:30am, we were all onsite with the trailer in position for unpacking.

The venue was just perfect for this wedding. While there were a lot of decisions to be made, I let the committee get to that and started unpacking the trailer. Some more help showed up and the many hands made light work. It meant that Kev and I could focus on getting the festoon lights up. What a bloody mission. Again, my brains and Kev’s muscle was a good combination, but these things broke in three different ways and it ended up taking us a good three hours to get them sorted. In the end, they looked perfect. We would just have to wait and see if they survived the night. If they did, we could be confident they’d survive the wedding.

It was another hot day and we were relieved for the break that came when the fighter jet and big army plane flew over – practice runs for tomorrow’s River Fire event.

We had our packed lunch quite late then the team started showing up for the rehearsal. I met Steph, the celebrant and Jared, Claire’s mate and MC. When Heather and Sandra showed up with the kids and Audrey with her grandpa, it was starting to feel like a party. Lizzy came down with Rory, Dawn and Elaine and we were all ready for a practice run.

It would be a simple ceremony, but there were some logistics to figure out. Me and the bridesmaids packed rose petals into small bags for the attending crowd to throw during the precession then we got into position.

Miella was easily the best bit of the rehearsal, looking at the expectant faces around her and listening to Heather’s instructions on how and when to throw her flowers out of her basket. This was going to be good.

After a successful rehearsal, Audrey was adamant she wanted to see the first dance. Us non-dancers also needed to practice our bits again. Audrey sat front and center as we did our thing. Excitement was building.

With nothing left to do, we parked the trailer in the shed, locked all the fridges and the crowd dispersed. Claire, her bridesmaids and the kids were spending the night in a nearby hotel and Kev and I were heading home.

Considering the events in my life the past six months, I had been thoroughly enjoying myself, but I could feel cracks starting to form. My emotions were catching up with me. My best friend was getting married. How lucky was I to be spending his pre-wedding night with him? We couldn’t get the fire going quick enough. 

I prepared some dinner for us but left it in the kitchen so we could have a drink by the fire first. Just me and Kev. Swapping stories, talking serious, me crying. Kevin rightly said, I’m a mess. There’s no one else I’d rather be a mess with.

My Best Mate’s Wedding (Sat)

I’d been feeling a little under the weather lately and was just getting my voice back so when I woke up and couldn’t open my right eye, I just laughed. Classic. Never had conjunctivitis in my life and I get it bad on my best friend’s wedding day. Kevin had a laugh too when I came downstairs. The photos will be great!

Halfway through the kids’ breakfast, the babysitter and her family showed up. Strangely enough, the family used to live in Kev’s house so the oldest teenager was always happy to come back to it to look after the little one. Miella had a tough time saying goodbye to Daddy but we soon left Chelsea to it.

We met Claire, her dad Paul and the bridesmaids at the venue and found that there was nothing much left to do. The festoon lights were still up which was all we were hoping to see. We did a bit more organization for the alcohol and set up the chairs for the ceremony then the girls were back to the hotel to get their hair and makeup done. Kev and Claire said goodbye to each other for the last time as fiancés. 

Kev and I were about to leave too but then he thought, why? We had the whole place to ourselves, it was a beautiful morning and we had plenty of time. We sat ourselves down and when Kev moved to get a beer then thought better of it, I suggested a pair of Heineken Zeroes. We were set then. Another special moment with my mate.

Kev’s brother Sean showed up when we were halfway through our beers and he got started on a full strength can. He was just sussing out the venue, wanting to know exactly where he had to be when the time came. After catching up with him, it was time to get back and get ready.

We picked up Audrey on the way and she looked gorgeous with her make-up already done. We did a quick stop for some extra plastic cups but were at the house just after Lizzy had arrived. She was putting Dawn to the sleep on a pram walk so we met Chelsea inside and I got lunch going. The little ones were quick to eat and were put to bed for their midday nap.

Kev had only been downstairs for five minutes when the smoke alarms went off. Lizzy, Chelsea, Audrey and I had been chatting away in the kitchen and hadn’t even noticed the smoke gathering from the air fryer. Lizzy whipped a tea towel around while I ran upstairs to take the smoke alarm off the roof outside the girls’ room, but it was too late. They were wide awake. Hallie got herself back to sleep but Miella was inconsolable. I’d thrown the smoke alarms outside but she kept saying “beep, beep” through her cries, obviously scared of the blaring noise. It got worse when Kev took her outside to get away from the smokey kitchen and she picked up one of the alarms and pressed the button, setting the bloody thing off again. Poor Miella.

That fiasco didn’t give us much time to “get ready”. Audrey was the best organized out of all of us, with us adults basically throwing on our clothes and fuzzing our hair up a bit. Lizzy had brought her make-up over but I wasn’t going to touch my eye with any of it. I could open it now but it was red, swollen and weeping. I wasn’t about to try and cover it up.

Lizzy was out the door with Dawn then and Kev and I followed with a car full of girls. Audrey was worried we were running late but Kev was cool as ever, saying, “no one is getting married without us!”

We had a smooth drive to the hotel which was easily found because there was a gorgeous 1900s Rolls Royce parked out front with Kev’s Dad in the driver’s seat. Paul had also just arrived looking dapper in his tuxedo. Kev dropped off the kids to the hotel room then we were off to the venue to take our stations. I took in this moment. Kev and I had enjoyed such quality time this past nearly two weeks and I knew it was ending. Not sad! Just looking forward to fading into the background and watching this night unfold.

The venue was already full of people when we got there and as we drove in, we both saw John Sicoli show up on his bike, his dress shirt unbuttoned and flapping in the breeze. Ha ha, this was our mate. I shooed Kev in as I dealt with parking the car and was in full-on “best man” mode up until the ceremony. I made sure Kev had some water in his hand, that his flowers were pinned to his suit and wasn’t stressing about anything. It was a pleasure. 

I had a little time to mingle, with everyone looking each other up and down because it wasn’t often we got together when this well-dressed. I knew my voice wasn’t going to last the night so I made the most of it while I could.

Soon enough, I got the signal from Steph the celebrant so Lizzy, Kev and I took our positions up front. At Steph’s instructions, everyone settled into the seats or stood at the back awaiting the bride and her entourage. Kev’s smile was disgusting. He was just glowing at all his family and friends that had showed up for this day. I grabbed Lizzy and pulled the three of us into a head-knocking hug. This was it!

With the Rolls Royce in the distance, I got a glimpse of a white dress. I can only imagine how Kev felt because when I saw Jared walking over with clipboard in hand, my heartbeat quickened. I felt for the rings in my pocket.

The music started and everyone went quiet. Miella lead the precession with Claire’s Mum by her side. She threw those rose petals like a champ, emptying her basket right in front of the adoring crowd. She’s a natural performer, just like her Mum. Audrey looked older than her eleven years carrying her baby sister down the aisle, visibly a little nervous but carrying herself so well.

When the music slowed, a hush went over the crowd. Sami came forward with Dani not far behind. Their deep maroon dresses were beautiful and their smiles showed just how happy they were to be walking down the aisle ahead of their friend. And then came Claire. An image of beauty, her smile was for one person only. Though she took a glance at the family and friends gathered around, it was Kev she was walking to and I’m sure all else was blurred in her vision. Her Dad was the model image of the father of the bride. The pride eked from his cheeks as he held his little girl’s arm – a beautiful woman who had become so much.

I couldn’t help myself and broke out in a cheer when Claire reached Kevin and the crowd followed with whooping applause. Kev and Paul had a lovely embrace and the noise died down as bride and groom took their place at the alter.

The ceremony was beautiful and had some lovely surprises the best of which was Claire’s vows to Audrey. She was honored to officially call Audrey her daughter and it is that little girl that brought Claire to tears. Steph spoke about each of us in the bridal party with words that Kev and Claire had thoughtfully put together. It was a nice touch.

I realized later that I never got a good look at the crowd. I just couldn’t tear my eyes away from this couple. Everything just felt so right – maybe with the exception of my eye which I kept dabbing and not just because of the infection.

Not only did the crowd erupt in cheers as the couple shared their first kiss as husband and wife, the onlookers from the nearby hotels did the same. One even had an airhorn to celebrate the matrimony!

Lizzy and I walked into the crowd behind the bride and groom as rose petals were thrown and hands were put together. I feel like my shoulders slumped a little, knowing that the ceremony had gone off as they’d wanted it – the party could really start now. We signed the paperwork on each other’s backs and the business was done. After a group photo on the bridge, everyone was off to the bar.

The crowd was moving off quickly and we had to clear the ceremony area so I enlisted the help of Jon, Sean and Kev’s brothers to pack up all the chairs and the arch over to the party spot. They were great and with all the hands we made light work of it.

The rest of a night is a blur but I know I barely sat down. One of the times I did, I got to know some of Kevin’s family but that was interrupted by a coughing fit so I soon gave that up. My fading voice meant I could barely talk to anyone but it was a hidden blessing. It meant that I just soaked it all in. I was part of the conversation, but I didn’t get drawn in too far. I always had my eye out for Kev and Claire, hoping to get as many glimpses of their happiness as I could.

Jared was exceptional in his MC duties, carrying his clipboard like a trophy and engaging his audience as if he was a stand-up comedian. When he didn’t have people’s attention he sure got it and he did it with humor and grace. He announced the fly overs and we all enjoyed ooh’ing and aah’ing at the planes we’d watched fly overhead yesterday.

With the sun going down, the speeches were announced and I was happy not to be feeling many nerves. Dani shared some great childhood memories she had with Claire and everyone who spoke had a story about how Kev nearly killed them on one adventure or another.

When I walked up to the mic, it was a privilege to start out with words that were not my own. A few days before the day, I’d asked Audrey if she wanted to say anything to her newly married Dad. All kids had exited the premises after the ceremony so I’d offered to read anything she wanted to say and she took the opportunity with both hands. Her words were beyond her years and as I spoke them to Kev and Claire, I couldn’t quite believe what I was saying. “From Audrey, cheers to Dad and Mum”.

Now it was my turn.

“I’m a better climber than Kevin.”

My vision was blurred now and it wasn’t because of my right eye or any tears. Kev and Claire were the only two people in the crowd that I could see. Claire’s white dress shone in the twilight and Kev’s smile was a beacon. I was talking to them and only them. I’d been throwing speech ideas around in my head for a while but had only written some thoughts down that morning and I’m glad I had. If I hadn’t, I would have missed something or rambled on too much about inconsequential details. I said thank you, I said congratulations, I said you’re perfect. Cheers to you, cheers to your beautiful wife, cheers to the life you’ve made together and cheers to the wonderful life ahead of you.

Kev came across the dance floor to give me a hug and it took everything I had not to cry then. Claire pulled me in too and I was just overcome. I walked back to Jon and we stayed huddled together as Paul and Chris said their pieces about their children. Paul was clearly nervous but he couldn’t have been prouder to stand at that microphone. Chris had the crowd merrily heckling him when he brought up the train ride. Everyone who was at Kev’s 40th birthday had already heard the story.

Now to party. The dance floor was already going off by the time Riverfire rolled around. Jared announced it beautifully and had everyone off to the water’s edge for the impending show. I was still close to Jon and we thought it’d be nice to have a private viewing. We grabbed a couple of chairs and walked beyond the parked Rolls onto some grass at the far end of the park. All around us was a mob. Behind the fence of the maritime museum, thousands of people had gathered to watch the annual fireworks show that was held for no other reason than to have a fireworks show.

The night was chilly so Jon and I sat close as the music started and the sky lit up. I think my face nearly broke from the stupid smile on my face. Not only were there multiple fires shooting into the sky from barges on the river, but the buildings were shooting out stars and everything was in perfect sync. We didn’t know which way to look!

Jon and I both kept pointing at different things and crying out. This was stunning! My whoops and yells came out sounding like coughs and groans but I didn’t care, I was a little kid. When the nearby bridge lit up in a curtain of sparkles, we both lost our shit. We were looking at a waterfall of fire falling steadily into the water below. You couldn’t see through it. I thought about Kev and Claire then. I could just imagine how special they were feeling.

The whole show felt like a finale so it was a surprise when it came to an end. It had been raging for twenty minutes, but it felt like five it was so fascinating. I wanted an encore!

We walked back into the crowd and everyone shared their happiness about the show. It was about now that I lost my voice completely. When anyone asked me something or came up to say hi, I just smiled and made a cut-through gesture with my hand to say, “I’m sorry, I’ve got no words” and that was ok. It didn’t mean I couldn’t dance. And dance we did.

The pizza truck was pumping out the hot pies now so everyone was having a nice dinner and watching the night unfold. When the first dance came about, the crowd buzzed. After Claire slow danced with her Dad, there was a tension amongst the crowd as Kevin took Claire’s hand. Claire is a dancer, she is a performer, there’s no way they would just have a nice dance.

When the music changed, the crowd went wild because they knew it was on. I ran in from my spot by the bar and the bridal party did our routine around the centerpiece – Kevin. He was such a crowd pleaser, stripping off his jacket and doing the worm as we danced around him. What fun! Within a minute, Claire was back on the dance floor in her dance-garb to the pleasure of the crowd.

Now came the highlight of my night. I’d seen the dance rehearsal once before but Jared hadn’t. He was standing next to me and he lost it. With every one of Claire’s moves he was in fits of joy. He grabbed onto me when Kev lifted Claire into the air, not able to contain himself at what he was seeing. It was brilliant and they danced perfectly. It was obvious Claire was having the time of her life. She was doing what she loves with the man she loves in front of the people she loves.

For the rest of the night, if I wasn’t dancing, I was watching Claire and her mates dance, I was sitting with Jon and Marke by the river just listening to them talk, I was eating cake or I was just standing back and taking it all in. I did get to hold Dawn for a good twenty minutes or so after Lizzy did a ground nappy change and it meant I got to watch Geoff and Lizzy share a dance and they can dance.

When Lizzy found me in the crowd near closing time to tell me they’d likely be getting the last train, I was confused. There was no way I was leaving. She understood that and went on with Geoff, needing to get their baby to bed. Near the band’s last song, everyone stopped dancing in circles and faced the band. All of a sudden, we were at a concert. So enigmatic was their performance that we couldn’t help it – the three piece was on fire! They played all the right songs and kept everyone dancing right up until quiet time.

We ended to “Don’t Stop Believing” with our hands held high and feet throbbing. It was 10:30pm, it was time to wind down. The crowd slowly said their congratulations to the couple and sauntered home and I helped with the clean-up. There wasn’t much to do really, but I just lingered. I didn’t want the night to end.

The Maritime Museum volunteers were charming. They didn’t rush us out or peer over our shoulders as we slowly packed the party up, but let the closest friends enjoy the last moments in peace. It was past 11:30pm by the time the couple left the scene.

I said my goodbyes and as I walked north along the river, I looked back to see Kev and Claire walking south. There were multiple offers for them to get a ride back to their hotel, but they wanted to walk, to share a moment together and wow did it look right. Kev had a Crown Lager in his right hand and his wife’s hand in the other while Claire glided next to him with Miella’s pink Barbie back-pack over her shoulders and fuzzy white top. The bridge and groom.

I changed into my Tevas halfway to the station and caught the last train back to Lizzy’s house. It was comforting to meet Thomas, the neighborhood cat, halfway up the hill to show me the way home. In bed, my ears were ringing and I was grateful for it. My best friend was married and I’d been a part of it.

The Bust Up (Sun)

The ring looked great on Kevin’s finger. It looked natural. We were all back at the venue around 10:30am and the couple were still up on a cloud. I was proud when some of Kev’s family members asked him what they should do to help and he directed them straight to me for instruction. I obliged and delegated like a boss.
We got the trailer packed with the chairs, the leftover grog (there wasn’t much) and the wedding accessories. I took pleasure in taking the festoon lights down with the help of Kev’s uncle and by noon we were done.

Again, we all lingered, standing around in a circle and reminiscing about the amazing day and night we’d just had. It felt like a lot of people, myself included, were going to be riding the high from it for as long as we could. Having taken up the venue space for far too long already, we all went our separate ways. The cars went in all different directions and I walked out on foot with no real aim. For the first time since landing in Australia, I had no plans!

I was ready for some me-time and since it was father’s day, it was nice to know all my friends would be celebrating the Dad’s together. I wandered along Southbank, picked up some Thai lunch and sat by the Southbank lagoon looking out at the city scape as I ate. I messaged with Dan for the first time in a long while and it was a good time to just sit and think.

I went to the library for an hour to catch up on my blog and charge my phone a bit then hurried back outside to a beautiful winter’s day and got on a boat.

The ferry hops along the river through Brisbane city and I fancied myself a trip down memory lane.

I was carried under my Story Bridge, right by the River Farm restaurants I’d ride my bike past and catch up with friends after work. I went by the New Farm walkway and spotted John Sicoli’s place, remembering the skates we used to take down to the pub from there.

New Farm Park came next, where Claire had pulled off a surprise birthday party for Kev and we played Mikey’s games in the park. Further out towards the ocean, I floated by Tenerife where Aaron and Gareth used to live before babies and the steep gateway bridge which I loathed riding over to get to work at Nautech.

Then, on the way back, KP. Kangaroo Point on a beautiful sunny afternoon had only a few parties on the wall. It just wouldn’t work anywhere else! As I neared Southbank station, Lizzy told me about their dinner plans with a few people at Felon’s and I was soon in their car driving over to where I’d just ferried from.

We had some play time in the park then a walk along the New Farm walkway to Felons where we’d had such a good night only a week before. We met Sicoli there along with Jane, SImon and their kids and Dane and Carolina. Still without much of a voice, I talked as much as I could over a beer and some delicious food. Dane and Carolina had been part of the Brisbane crew before my time so I’d heard of them but we’d never met. A lovely couple, they had a van with two dogs so we had plenty to talk about. And of course, there was the wedding to keep celebrating.

It was an early night compared to the one before and as I said goodbye, I thought John’s smile might break me. These are my people and it just felt so good to be home. I enjoyed the walk back along the walkway with Lizzy and her fam. Dawn was just so happy bopping along on Lizzy’s hip-carrier as Rory and Geoff played coppers and baddies.

Last Day (Mon)

Geoff was off to work like a normal person and after a slow breakfast, Lizzy, Rory, Dawn and I took a walk down to West End. I was meeting Marke at his place and though it was a fair walk, I was happy for it and so too was Lizzy. She dropped me off at Marke’s apartment building and went off to find a park for Rory to play in.

Every time I’ve caught up with Marke, it’s been in a different house so I always enjoy not knowing what I’m going to see. We hadn’t been able to talk at all during the wedding so it was nice to get some one-on-one time with him and he was generously interrupting his work day to hang out. Though I didn’t get to meet his new family, it was almost better not to because he got to tell me so much about them. He heated up some leftovers for us and when we got to talking about the next part of my trip, I was blown away to find out he knew the head of engineering at the Aussie Synchrotron – the exact guy I would be meeting the next day. Unbelievable – he dated his sister for years!

We put the latest grand prix on and while we’re both avid fans, it was a good one to have on in the background while we kept chatting away. I hoped Lizzy had made it home when a thunderstorm ripped through turning a bright day into a dark noisy event.

By the time I left Marke to his next meeting, you’d barely know it rained the sun came out in such force. Though our meeting had been fleeting, I was glad to have had it and gave Marke a big hug and thank you before saying “see you next time”.

I left Marke’s and walked towards Southbank looking for a bus stop but in no particular rush. I called Jayne having figured out that I wouldn’t get to see her again before I left. She laughed at my voice and when I told her about my eye, she fessed up that I must have gotten it from her boys because their eyes had blown up earlier in the week. No matter, it was a price I was willing to pay. I gave her the blow-by-blow of the wedding and we laughed about the creakiness in my voice.

After busing back to Lizzy’s place, she was pretty much ready to leave the house for Rory’s swimming lessons. I’d teed up Jon to join us so he met us there. Working on Lizzy time, we rushed across the carpark to get Rory into the pool on time with me carrying Dawn. With Lizzy off getting Rory to where he needed to be, Jon didn’t recognize me as I approached him because I was holding a baby.

We sat at a picnic table within view of Rory’s pool and caught up while Dawn played with her hands in a small puddle in front of us. After the official lesson, Rory had a dip in the mushroom pool and he started an infectious laugh amongst us adults when he tripped over in the pool and shocked himself with the cold. Lizzy, ever the caring parent and quick to react to her child’s needs couldn’t help herself. She managed to turn away from Rory before laughing her head off. Then we started laughing our heads off at her loss of composure. The way Rory had fallen was just perfect to trigger Lizzy – it was a rare comedic snap and a good one.

The boys enjoyed an ice cream before we rushed home in our separate cars to get Rory to the airport on time to meet Grandma Helen. In the driveway, I was properly happy with myself for doing a successful transfer of a sleeping baby solo. I took Dawn from her car seat and had her asleep on my shoulder before she had a chance to open her eyes. Geoff hopped in the car as Lizzy hopped out of it and he and Rory were soon off, leaving Jon, Lizzy, Dawn and I to enjoy the sunset from her backyard.

A kookaburra sat on high watching over the neighbourhood as the sky turned orange down the hill. We must have stayed out there for nearly an hour with Dawn happily asleep on my shoulder the whole time while us grown-ups enjoyed our time together.

We were inside with Lizzy prepping dinner when Grandma Helen walked in the door. Within five minutes, it was as if she’d never left the house. Her and Rory were fast friends and her jet lag didn’t stop her sitting down to dinner with us.

When bath time came, Geoff left the building to go see his son who’d broken his foot the day before while Jon and I retired to the kitchen nook for a slice of apple pie. We enjoyed a second bout of quality laughter as we watched Lizzy’s shadow on the living room wall doing the perfect strip tease complete with a hair flick and panties flying across the room. This was family at its best.

Bye for Now Brisbane (Tue)

I was up early to put my things in order and re-pack my bag. I left my best lady’s outfit with Lizzy but kept my little wedding flowers and pinned them to my suitcase. I wasn’t ready to let go yet.

Even with Grandma Helen’s help and Rory off to daycare with Geoff, we were still running out the door to make breakfast by 9am. I said goodbye to Helen – or jokingly, the “washer woman” – since she was left at home with a pile of laundry to do. We drove to the top of KP and met Jon at “Joey’s” which was the swish new version of the Kangaroo Point Cafe that we’d occasionally frequented at the top of the cliffs.

Though we didn’t need the fancy menu, this was a special meeting. When Kev joined us, my time in Brisbane felt complete. Every single time I’m back, we manage to get together, just the four of us. Although I suppose there were plus-ones this time with Hallie and Dawn. We had breakfast and relived even more parts of the wedding night and talked life and inconsequential bullshit.

Too soon, it was time for me to get to the airport. As I looked out at the city that means so much to me, it really didn’t feel like I was leaving. We gathered together for a photo and looking at it now, I can’t believe that I had made and kept such good friends. Babies and all.

Jon and Lizzy waved us goodbye as Kev and I drove off. Even Dawn flailed her arm around in joy. Goodbye for now friends.

It felt natural that my trip home should start and end with Kevin, even though the Subaru smells like old baby shit, I enjoyed the ride. He surprised me when he said he was going to park and come in with me. When I told him he didn’t have to he firmly told me that, “I don’t know when I’m going to see you again, of course I’m coming in with you”. Another parent might be horrified at the idea of taking a toddler through airport security but he couldn’t have cared less.

Once at the gate, we thought about having a beer but the line at the bar was too long and I was grateful. It meant we spent the next hour chasing Hallie down as she crawled at speed and throwing her up into the air for entertainment. We talked a little about the next chapter in my life but it didn’t matter that we were running out of time together – we both knew we’ll be as close as ever on the phone.

I was one of the last onto the plane and managed to keep my composure through the hug and our goodbyes only to start crying as soon as I entered the tunnel. On the tarmac outside, once I reached the base of the stairs, it occurred to me that my friend may still have eyes on me. He did. Kev and Hallie were standing at the window watching for me. It may have been my imagination, but I thought I could see Hallie waving on her own with Kev. I waved back, I blew kisses, all the way up the stairs.

Just as I was about to duck into the plane, I gave my best mate and his baby girl one last wave and a kiss and choked up again. I love you, thank you for being my friend. I’ll see you when I see you.

23 Aug – 5 Sep, 2023.