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Published: August 31st 2009
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Lorenza and I had a lot of laughs over the weekend, thanks to Rob’s distant cousin Jean-Frédéric who came to visit. He shared his stories of his tour in Australia and New Zealand, plus a few jokes … like “Did you know there are two types of Kiwi fruit in New Zealand? One is yellow and the other is green. Do you have any idea why the French do not like the green one? It’s because there are green pieces inside”. Yes it is corny, but it got a laugh from us!
I gave J-F a tour of our house and garden and he inspected my micro-mini-vineyard. He gave me some very specific advice regarding how I should have pruned my vines. He seemed confident that I could correct the problems before I get into any trouble from his father! Obviously I need to spend some more time in Alsace to perfect my vineyard skills - sorry Jean I must not have been paying enough attention.
J-F jokingly asked if he could see proof that every Australian owns a pair of R M Williams boots and a Akubra hat - both of which I was able to produce for
him and prove this to be true. Unfortunately, I could not help perpetuate the rumour that we all own a Hilux 4WD utility, our Renault Laguna did not qualify in this department!
On Saturday night we had a home-made pizza night with J-F and some friends. Sharing food, wine and fun stories, all to assist with J-F’s cultural immersion into the real Australia. We also got to watch a DVD of J-F doing a bungy jump in Queenstown New Zealand. It was a hilarious little show, particularly when we turned the volume up to try and hear what the guy was saying who assisted the jumpers with their harnesses and gave them their instructions. We could tell he said something just after J-F launched himself off the platform. We had to replay it a few more times once we realised the guy said “the naughty Frenchman tried to grab me”. This sounded very funny considering he had a very strong South African accent. I wish I had a copy of the DVD to post here. J-F will have a hard time living down the comment the guy made about him!
On Sunday we took a drive to St
Albans, then Wollombi (with a stop there for lunch). The route took us via Sackville and Webb’s Creek ferries, along the gravel and dirt of the Great North Road, then back home via the Putty Road. We had intended to take J-F to the main attractions of the Blue Mountains. The plan changed because it was a very windy day, with gusts up to 90km/h. So, we decided that a tour of the “Hidden Valley” was a better bet. It is much more protected from the wind. We hoped that our substitute tour gave J-F an insight into the Hawkesbury district in which we live (i.e: lots of bush, sandstone cliffs and gorges, plus that lovely twisting, winding river - the Hawkesbury).
We made a brief stop at the Settlers Arms Inn at St Albans, alongside the McDonald River and the Great North Road. The Inn dates back to the 1830's and was a stop over for Cobb & Co coaches travelling between Sydney and Newcastle in those days. It must have been a long, winding, dusty trip for the coach passengers.
Lunch at the Wollombi Tavern consisted of hamburgers and potato wedges, washed down with some beers.
The Tavern, like the pub at St Albans, sits alongside the Great North Road, which was built by convicts in chains between 1826 and 1836. It was designed to connect Sydney with Newcastle. The road surface is still mostly gravel and dirt.
Sunday night Lorenza cooked what she had been told was J-F’s favourite meal - Beef Stroganoff and he seemed happy with the result, plus the nice Shiraz to compliment the meal. As with his sister Juliette, it was wonderful to be able to welcome J-F to our home and share some time with him in our own environment. A bientôt!
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renato rinauro
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hello
I am so pleased to listen from you, dear Robert and Lorenza.I spare comment on the naughty J.F (I remember his strong emotions affording a sea storm sailing with us 3 years ago). I have just come back from my holidays ( 2 weeks sailing in Turkey and a week hosted by Caroline in Zurich) and just seen your message on Facebook where I found, among others(very moving for me" Positano from the sea") some photos of Saint Wendelin day where we met in July. I hope to listening from you again. Good bye. Renato