Australia phase 1

Mary flew off early on Aug 20 to Jacksonville, FL to see Granny ( Betty ) in her new abode at Thrive Retirement Home , St Simons Is., GA. A few hours later I took the first of 3 legs on my journey to Brisbane via San Fran and Auckland. Had good telephone chats firstly in San Francisco with old flame in college days Rosie who lives there and then with our wonderful first nanny at Humbie Cottage, Debra who lives near Wellington. Worthy note here that Debra flew from Wellington to each of our kids' weddings in Ireland, Australia and Scotland respectively. What a dear and loyal friend. Meghan, Duncan and Jane were devoted to her in the two happy years she spent with us.

 Phase 1
My cousin Ian met me at Brisbane airport and so began a hugely successful Australian adventure.

After an informal lunch with Bruce and Delia at Gympie where the local paper that day revealed to the world that they had sold the gas station and convenience store they've owned and been running for the last 25 years or more. Then 3 days in Brisbane after a night in Malleny with Ian. Gina & Tim enormously hospitable as usual. She was effectively my tour manager and had organised where I should be and when. Delightful and how spoilt I was. The loan of Ian's car was also a huge offer from him and enormously appreciated.

 Phase 2
On to Toowoomba for the principal part of my Oz visit to see our old and dear friend Rod with whom I flew out to Charlotte Plains, Cunnamulla in SW Queensland for a 4 day stay with Robyn ( Reid's widow ).

 Phase 3
The last phase was the four days I had with my cousin Catherine in her house in the Hills north of Adelaide.

I'll split the blog entry pics into the 3 phases.

Ian at his batchelor pad in Malleny north of Brisbane

Bruce, Delia and Ian

Ian and Rob at Rob and Claire's house in Brisbane

The dinner party that Rob and Claire threw for me. A spectacular evening it was. From l to r - Rob, Courtney, G, Justin, Rob, Claire, Ian, Dinie, Tinkie, David

Courtney, David, Tinkie and Justin

Claire, Rob, Ian and Dinie

The Rob Russell family- Rob, Robs, Claire, Olivia, Charlie

Rob & Claire's house

Chip of the old block ( I can see the ghost of dear Reid standing just to the right ! ).

 Being strapped up ahead of the rugby game against Ipswich Grammar School

.. and here they are. Robs wearing the No 2 jersey bringing back happy memories of seeing his father running out on to the pitch at Murrayfield

Ian and Gina stopping for a coffee break on the way to seeing Stephen and Tina

Gina, Stephen, Sally Gordon ( owner of the property ), Tina, Bella, Ian, Sophie. Last time I saw Sophie  I was reading her  Dr Seuss books on my knee 44 years ago.  Bella is her daughter.

In reviewing old family records, came across this lovely pic of RRR the 1st marrying Anita in San Antonio, TX in 1903.
Pretty sure his best man was my grandfather AWR - see the likeness to GSR beneath.

Gina had saved old editions of The Pioneer. This one showing my father, GSR on his retiral as an overseas director of Pioneer Sugar Mills in the mid 1970's, the single most important factor in the wonderful connection between the cousins ever since.

Sarah, Joseph, Tim, Gina

Fiona, Pru and Gina

With James, Pru's husband, at his organic, container vegetable farming enterprise in Brisbane

Rod's visit to Snowmass

A second delightful visit from one of my Yorkshire Munro climbing buddies, Rod. A full-on program with concerts, masterclasses,  coffee and muffins at Paradise, hikes, good dinners, bridge, poetry reading with Gracie, and many a good laugh.

Off to Oz, Scotland, Ireland and Georgia the day tomorrow ( Aug 20 ) - a round the world trip - and not back here to Snowmass till mid October. Yikes.

Chewing the cud with Rod at Meadow Ranch

Delphiniums in full bloom at 270 Meadow Ranch

At start of Lost Man Loop trail near top of Independence Pass with Gracie and Rod

Independence Lake

Gracie and Mary approaching the top of the Pass

Final Sunday concert in the tent. Mahler 2 with as large an orchestra as you'll see and the full Colorado Symphony choir in the balcony

Braemar - family gathering

What an epic week this was. All the forward planning paid off. To have Drumrunie and the back part of Morrone (our old house) in Braemar needed to be booked a year ahead and bringing everyone together from Colorado, Oregon, Ireland and Inverness at the same time was no mean feat

The 5 bells, Morrone Hill

Children asleep ? Dream on.

Dennis, Cormac on summit of Morone

Hard work for someone - Duncan on this occasion

Johannes in charge

Crossing the Cluanie , downtown Braemar

The River Dee right beneath the house

Grandad with his eldest grandchild Cormac. Aim - to have all 7 playing !

a bbq lunch for family and old friends in the Drumrunie garden

A great spot facing north west and the setting sun  at this moment

Same tree looking down the Dee

Cormac , Oli and Angus

Anna ( holding Elin ), Cormac and Maggie.  Front row: Iona and Angus

With the Colemans after the swim in the Dee

Grandad , Granny Moon and the 7 grandchildren

Moses, aka Elin, in her basket in the bulrushes at the Lui

Our favourite spot of old on the River Lui

The annexe at Morrone where the two of us stayed. Like old times.

Angus and Anna waking us up in the morning and helping grandad to make porridge - with salt

Looks like more than porridge

With Reid and Mary from Snowmass Village at start of our day in the Mamores. 4 Munros to go at the stat of this day.  Two to go at the end

Looking west down Loch Leven towards Ballachullish

Top of Binnean  Beag looking back to Sgurr Elde Mor

Mary with Andrew and Angelica Salvesen at Clash

Returning on the moor from Morrone to Drumrunie. Iona and Anna

Iona making a ponytail for Granny Moon