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Published: February 15th 2016
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Well we have arrived back home in Albrighton, safe and sound, after our quick 3 week visit to Melbourne.
Christmas and New year seems so long ago but it's only been about 7 weeks. At St Chads we held our carols by candlelight service where we were part of the Boningales congregational choir. The service was followed by mince pies and mulled wine. On Christmas day we had a 9.00am communion service, which is always special. On Sunday 10th January we had the privilege to lead the Family service where we get to do our own thing (within reason of course).
At St Marys we participated in the Christmas children's crib service where Jess, dressed as a shepherd, led some of the children around the church. We attended the carol service and also the midnight mass service.
New year was very quiet and we saw the new year in by watching the fireworks from London on TV.
On
Tuesday 12th of January we started our journey to Melbourne. We took a taxi from Albrighton to Wolverhampton. Then a National Express coach to London Heathrow so that we could board our Royal Brunei flight
to Melbourne via Dubai and Brunei. A long flight 21 hours’ air time.
We landed at Melbourne airport at 6.00am on
Thursday 14th January and took the Airport bus to the city centre before taking a train to Traralgon where we were staying with Jess's sister for a couple of days. All in all, a transit time of some 44 hours!!!!!
After recovering from our travels we headed to Hastings where we were staying with our great friend Valda (Mum 1) for the next 2 weeks.
Monday 18th January we headed into Melbourne Park with our friends Alex & Pam (Alex is our Vicar at Holy Trinity) where we watched Petra Kvitova, Serena William and Novak Djokavic win their first round matches in 37-degree heat on centre court. Big thanks to CSmart International for the tickets.
Sunday 24th January saw us attend Holy Trinity and while it was great to be back the congregation has changed and grown so much over the past 2 years. It was a privilege to be able to talk about our work at St Chads and the Benefice plus show some of the pictures we had brought
with us. The service was followed by lunch with 17 members of the congregation at the Marina restaurant.
Tuesday 26th January was Australia Day, Evelyn's first in Australia since becoming an Aussie in March 2013. We spent the morning at the Hastings foreshore and had the opportunity to listen to Fr Bob Maguire the 81-year-old retired Catholic Priest who is a champion of the homeless in Melbourne.
Wednesday 27th January we spent time catching up with CSmart staff in Melbourne as well as exploring the city centre, something you do not do when you live there.
Apart from the above we spent most of our time catching up with family and friends in Hastings including: -
Catching up with Bob & Phyllis Collie at their retirement home (Bob provides us with our Prayer Sticks and other material that encourages us in our Ministry).
Spending as much time as possible with our mentors, Ken & Judie Harman. This time was spent over several days where we met for coffee, lunch and dinner with great food and wine and of course great fellowship and discussions.
Attending the Thursday morning service at Holy Trinity with
the Bays nursing home.
Attending a movie and pizza afternoon and a movie and lunch morning (which was also the day we celebrated our 4
th wedding anniversary so we had cake) at Holy Trinity
Thursday 28th January we celebrated or 4
th wedding anniversary over dinner with Ken & Judie, Valda and Rev Alex – such a special occasion with very special friends.
So little time so many people to see and all to soon it was time to leave Hastings and after a family BBQ we head back to Traralgon for a few days’ rest before the long journey home.
We flew out of Melbourne on
Thursday 4th February and retraced our steps arriving back in Wolverhampton on
Friday 5th February where our good friends Pauline and Nick picked us up and drove us back to Albrighton.
The three weeks had gone by so quickly but we had fitted in so much for which we are very thankful and of course very thankful to God for our safe travel.
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Bob and Phyllis
non-member comment
Welcome back to your home in England.
So glad you had a good time catching up with all your friends in Hastings. Thanks for your goodness in coming to see us at Nunawading. You inspire us greatly. Love you both. A couple of weeks ago I went to my podiatrist and my left lower leg and foot became infected. It became very swollen and I still can't walk. I'm on my second course of antibiotics which has helped a lot. Would you please pray for my recovery as my leg muscles have wasted badly. Thanks again for your visit. Grace and peace, Bob and Phyllis.