"Orange is the happiest colour" - Frank Sinatra
Our next journey took us to the beautiful Central West region surrounding the town Orange. Here we stayed on a farm, close to the many vineyards that dot the landscape and very close to an area that I knew well 15 odd years ago when I lived in Australia. I hadn't realised quite how close until an old boyfriend Dan and Kat, his wife, came with their son to visit. Amongst the chaos of kids tea, doughnuts and the finest Australian beer Dan pointed out his parents house from our porch and also, in a rather strange twist of fate, explained that coincidentally the house where we were staying was nearly bought by Dan and his wife a few years ago.
It is always slightly daunting returning to a place you knew many years ago and to friends you haven't seen for nearly as long. But nothing changes and Orange and my old friends remained the same, wowing both Fred and me with immense hospitality partnered with delicious food and, although we were trying to have a week off ahead of the Sydney half marathon, some delicious wine. We enjoyed one lovely evening with Matt and Anna Derham and their two fantastic kids and a return, after 15 odd years, to Tim Hansen's venison farm where Sophie, his wife and author of some very well regarded cook books, hosted us. I had forgotten how incredible it was with the beautiful views across the Orange countryside, the Autumnal colours set across the rolling hills. Alfie built his first fire, we ate a picnic lunch of prawns and hot dogs , Sophie and I enjoyed some of Orange's finest bubbles, and we talked happily about old times as the sun went down over the hills. It was truly magical. The evening only got better with the Hansen children and all the Derhams arriving for a hottub, more drinks and dinner. Despite the hangover that lasted two days I was so happy as we left Orange, sad to be going but with a warm and, excuse the pun, orange glow in my heart.
We returned to Sydney, staying courtesy of our long suffering friends Candy and Boog, to run the half marathon with them. A scenic way to see Sydney, running under the Harbour Bridge and through the botanical gardens, my amazing husband pushing me to my absolute limit. "Keep plodding along and we'll beat your old time' he said much to my disgruntlement. I hardly felt like we were plodding and nearly punched him! But we all did it and for that I was thrilled, celebrating with a long lunch at the Balmain Bowling Club. Drinks, sunshine, good food, friends and a bouncy castle. Heaven!
Our final week was a mixture of Sydney where we experienced unseasonably warm weather, swimming in the sea and throwing ourselves off piers, sweating in 26 degrees heat across the iconic Bondi to Bronte walk and attending a 90th birthday party (more on that later). We also took the opportunity to see a selection of English and Australian friends that we knew from the UK such as Bec De Yong, Dopper, Charlie Williams, Nikki Hill and Moth Averill. Some are temporary residents but in the main most are here permanently and we totally understand why they would make Australia their home.
We included a trip to Terrigal just outside of Sydney and here we were made to feel so welcome and loved by old friends of mine Brooke and James. When I last stayed with them their son Jonah was a baby, Jaz the dog was only young and Maeve a twinkle in James' eye. We only stayed one night here but it was so special. Again, nothing had changed. I had worked with Brooke in Sydney many years ago and she is still the same wonderful lady and James has the same positive and enthusiastic outlook about life that one has grown to expect in Australia. You could never feel down in their presence and as we enjoyed surfing on a Friday morning with the family as the kids screeched with delight it is unsurprising. It is like living in ''Happy Valley'.
And then back to Sydney for our last weekend. Boog and Mark, who we had holidayed with at Hyams Beach at the beginning of our Australian Odyssey, were hosting their joint 45 birthday parties. And what a party it was - an excellent way to end off what has been the most spectacular part of our trip so far. We felt quite morose as we left on Monday morning,reduced to tears saying goodbye to Boog , Candy, Arwen and Jonah.
So farewell fair Australia and thank you to all our friends for being such amazing hosts throughout our trip. I always thought that red and pink were my favourite colours but now red seems a little aggressive and pink vanilla. Orange is the perfect compromise. If I had a mood ring right now it would be orange. A happy colour reflected in gorgeous sun sets, bright Autumnal colours, new orange bikinis and Aperol spritz - Australia you really are very orange.
"There are friendships imprinted in our hearts that will never be diminished by time and distance"- Dodinsky
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