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Published: September 26th 2007
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So imagine the scenario -
You are at the other side of the world.
A long way away from your nearest and dearest.
Weary and extremely tired from the journey.
You can muster just enough energy to get in the shower.
And you are about to meet your Dad’s twin who you’ve never met and who your Dad hasn’t seen in about 27 years. Mental or what?
I felt a little anxious, a little nervous but very excited. We had slept the whole afternoon and when we woke I actually wasn’t feeling that great and felt really drowsy. I had been thinking about phoning Eddie all day, but knew he’d be at work and I was in no fit state to be meeting him after the experience with meeting Ricky’s new workies!! Anyway, I knew that Eddie was expecting me to call and it was about 6.30pm so he should be in from work so knew that I had to do it - now.
It felt a little strange to say the least, so I took a deep breath, then dialled his number. It rang out. I was gutted, so we headed up to the lounge for some
drinks and a bite to eat to let some time pass. I settled my stomach with a glass of vino and some nibbles from the executive bar (thanks Ricky yet again for clocking up Hilton points!!) then I popped down to the room and redialled. Michelle, his youngest answered. At this point I was thinking “Do I launch into conversation with her or just ask for her Dad”!! Shit - I didn’t really consider what I would say! Hi Uncle Eddie: Hi it’s Claire, your niece: Hi it’s Claire: Hiya, wot ya up to. When Eddie came to the phone we both let out a big laugh and a big HIYA! and made plans to pop over there and then.
I rushed back up to the lounge with a big cheeser and Ricky gave me a big hug and said “let’s go and meet Eddie”! I think it was at this point that Ricky realised how mental the while was. He later told me in the taxi that he thought it was really nice that he is getting to meet my Dad’s twin especially as we are so far away from our own families. This really meant a lot
to me as I was worried he wouldn’t find it as exciting or as meaningful as me. But he did.
When we got to their house, in our first of many eventful and unpleasant taxi rides, I got really, really nervous. It wasn’t anything to do with meeting Eddie, it was the dog that was barking mad and jumping at the door that gave me the shits. Bernadette, Eddie’s wife, got the dog in the lounge and we entered safely. It was an amazing night. Bernadette, Michelle and Michael (Michelle’s boyfriend of 3 years) and Maggie, the dog, were all there to meet us. Michelle is a stunner (so I could tell right away we were related!) and Michael is the sweetest, most friendly guy who chatted away, asking lots about us and Scotland. They are dying to visit Scotland, so we promised to put then up when there are over on their travels!! Eddie was noticeably emotional about us being there and about missing my Dad and his sister Kathleen and his other brother Benny. We chatted about lots of things. He reminded me a lot of my Dad. They have lots of similarities, but are really different.
Eddie reading the gold Wishy Press!!
It's been a while since he last read that!! I had brought him a Wishaw Press, Irn Bru, tablet and a Sunday Post for the Broons and Oor Wullie. We had some pictures of home with us which we had a look at and we toasted to a happy time in Melbourne with our first “stubbie”. Eddie had some pictures too and he had one of Kyle and my Dad at his first communion, so that set me off! We were both bubbling!! A good few stubbies later, although it was a school night, we phoned my mum and dad for a quick chat. We spoke to my Mum, which was lovely (Hi Mum!!) but unfortunately my Dad was at work.
We got a taxi (which was again interesting) back to the Hilton.
TAXIS - this could take a while............
In Melbourne, taxi drivers aren’t from Australia, can’t speak English, don’t know how to drive, don’t know the roads, don’t know what deodorant is and have no manners.
We got a taxi from the Hilton to Eddies in Keysborough (about 20 kms outside the City). It took 40 minutes. It cost us $60! Now that’s only about £25 but it shouldn’t have cost that much as the taxi driver was driving with a map in one hand and went the wrong way so had to turn back. Idiot.
On the way home, it took about 30 mins and cost $80 (£35). Work that out. This taxi driver didn’t get lost, but asked us for directions (like we would know!) and took us a different route home and drove about 40km/h all the way home up a 100km/h highway. Idiot.
Taxis are horrendous. Our long and very unloving relationship with taxi drivers in Melbourne starts here.
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