We did it!
Reader, we flew to Sydney to meet the twins.....
and it was Wonderful!
They are 12 weeks old, and doing fine after a very premature birth.
Australia has done very well in the pandemic, helped by being an island nation, and the restrictions on international travel, together with closed borders between states. Our State has gone for several months with no new community transmissions, but has re-opened very cautiously, with gradual increases in community gatherings and continued social distancing.
We were so excited when the Government announced the open borders, and made our plane reservations to Sydney immediately.
We had four beautiful days with the twins and their delighted parents, and were the first family members to be able to meet them.
Big brother, Little Aussie, is now visiting them and finally met his twin siblings.
I was surprised how fantastic it felt to fly again - I suddenly felt 'normal' - as if the past ten months has just lifted away.
It has been about 14 months since I had been on a plane, the longest time for many, many years...
We have kept to ourselves and been safe.
About a month ago, we ventured up to the mountains to a B&B at Beechmont, a pretty rural hinterland town about an hour from Brisbane.
It was fresh and green from some recent rain, and we loved our little suite.
In the early morning, a hare could be seen outside on the grass: see in the above photo.
There were birds to feed...
and dramatic cloud formations..
If we have learnt anything from this strange year 2020, it is to appreciate and treasure our environment, our families, our friends, our health and home - we never know when they will become threatened...
The Christmas tree has been up for a while - this year I celebrated with blue for the twins, and a pair of twin elves, just because..
In other good news, restrictions have been eased on choral singing, and my church choir has resumed - with 1 metre spacing between us..
It was beautiful to be able to sing again, tuning our voices to one another as choristers do....
We have enjoyed several small gatherings at our house around the Christmas tree..
including the Sewing Sisters, who brought Secret Santa gifts...
I received the tiniest scissors I have ever seen - aren't they the cutest?
They came with the sweet little pin cushion, made by my dear friend D.
They are both just over 1 inch long - perfect for travelling...
All being well, we will travel again soon, and enjoy Christmas in Sydney with the twins...
Be well and take care
XXXX
Oh sweet Patricia - what a fabulous upbeat post - it has made my Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThe babies are adorable and no wonder you have that smile on your face - going to meet them at long last, plus being able to travel, must have felt so good, for you and the family. I hope those little darlings, and their big brother, have a wonderful Christmas - lovely that you will be able to return and share it with them.
Your foray into the countryside must have been a long awaited break - we hope to do that early in the new year. We had to cancel our Arizona trip for Thanksgiving so haven't been out of town since February. . . . . and it's beginning to rally get on our nerves. Have never stayed home for so long!!!!!
I think we have the exact same Christmas creche - bought ours back in the sixties and bring it out every year as it holds many memories.
Glad you are well - enjoy the season and stay safe.
Warm hugs from cool - but not cold yet - North Carolina.
Mary x
Hello Mary, thank you for your lovely comments. I do hope you also get your break in the new year - it was such a tonic after these long bleak months. It was getting on my nerves too! The Christmas creche belonged to my mother, and probably belongs to the same era :) Enjoy the Fall, better than our current heatwaves...xxx
DeleteAhh, how sweet to see the babes, Trish. Love the nature photos as always. We in the States are not at the same phase in the pandemic as you are. We are advised not to travel for Christmas. Hopefully our new President will improve our handling of the disease. But a delight to stop here to read your blog, Trish!
ReplyDeleteWho does Little Aussie make such a long trip with, Tish? Does he fly alone?
All good wishes to the States, for improved handling. We watch and worry about you all! It definitely takes discipline, but it can be done. Little Aussie is still a bit young for a solo trip, particularly with the special routines now employed for safely flying. His Dad flew in and picked him up at the airport, and flew right back again. They appear to be having a grand time with the three boys all together.
DeleteYour grandbabies are adorable!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to read y'all had the chance to see them.
Thank you, we are thrilled with the tiny boys. So many people have been missing visits to loved ones, but thankfully the restrictions seem to be working and if we take care we will be able to visit each other regularly.
DeleteCongratulations on making it to Sydney to see your gorgeous wee boys. We will make the trip after the holidays if all is still well to see our son. We were so lucky to have a week there in early March to see the production of Hamlet. As we sat after the show on the foreshore we watched the Ruby Princess dock not realising what was in store for us all. I often think of that time in hindsight and for me it underscores that we truly must seize the day. So lovely to see a picture of you. I love putting a face to your writing and such a lovely happy picture. I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas. Lindsey Brisbane
ReplyDeleteThank you Lindsey. I do hope you get your trip too - each day I watch the health reports, hoping all is well. Gosh, fancy seeing the Ruby Princess dock - we had no idea what was in store, did we. It has been a long year - in March we had our daughter here from Canada as it all flared up; she just made it back in time. I hate having my photo taken, but was happy to show this one, which was on a very happy day indeed. Have a blessed Christmas too.
DeleteThis is such wonderful news Patricia - they looks absolutely delightful, really lovely babies. I didn't realise that Little Aussis was their brother, for some reason I thought that he was their cousin. What a long time he has had to wait to meet them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosemary, they look so lovely now they have gained normal weight levels. I understand the confusion - Little Aussie was born during our son's first marriage and lives in Brisbane. We now have beautiful photos of him meeting the twins.
DeleteOh how wonderful Trish....I can feel your joy! They are such cuties too. Love all your beautiful decorating and we do need a huge dose of Christmas spirit this year. I have everything crossed for you that you enjoy your Christmas with those gorgeous little boys xx
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing Michelle, not only seeing the twins, but also getting on a plane and going somewhere which has been unavailable for so long. Thank you for the good luck charm, hopefully we will get there for Christmas. Packing already :) xx
DeleteThat last photo is so sweet of you and the babe, and how fun you could fly to see your new twins. Being able to sing in the church choir in person is another step bringing joy. Christmas is on its way.
ReplyDeleteThank you Terra, and Merry Christmas to you.
DeleteOh Patricia, I'm so glad you got to see your precious twins! They are so cute. It sounds like you had a good time seeing everyone. I don't like traveling at all, so you really inspire me traveling as much as you do. Your trip to the mountains sounds wonderful. Just what I need right now.
ReplyDeleteYour Nativity set is so nice, and Mary is beautiful. Those twin elves are darling. That's wonderful that you are able to go back to see the twins for Christmas. Be safe in your travels, Patricia, and take care. Enjoy the Christmas season, dear friend.
~Sheri
ps.....what a lovely picture of you with your dear grandson.
Merry Christmas Sheri. Of course, since I wrote this post everything changed, but the twins are safe at our house for Christmas and it is wonderful.
DeleteHow wonderful, Granny! I'm so happy for you! And double the joy at that.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Merry Christmas Amalia, the twins are here with us, and an absolute delight. xx
DeleteOh Patricia! How come I missed this? What a lovely post and so much joy! I’m so pleased you can spend Christmas with your family. We are locked down again here, but at least my daughter and her husband can visit on Christmas Day. We may have a maximum of 3 visitors from our own social bubble. My other daughter will visit on Boxing Day. The babies look adorable!
ReplyDeleteDear Val, I have missed comments too!! Blogger has a lot to answer for.... We now have the twins here in Brisbane with their Mum and Dad and are having a lovely time exchanging smiles with them :))
DeleteOh so wonderful you got to hold the twins!! Note the two exclamation points. And you got to sing in a choir! I love to read of your life, you are so artistic and appreciative of life, you are a joy. Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Kay. The twins are adorable. It was brilliant to sing again in the Christmas choir. Thank you for your kind comment, I love the arts but am pretty hopeless with most other things, lol. Be safe :)
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