The Beginning

Working together - our brother changing the shower head

Every story has a beginning.  Ours began with just a passing remark. Last year I mentioned to big sister this February marks our 50th year in Australia.  Whether I mentioned a celebration dinner I don't remember but a celebration of sorts was on the cards.  There was a buzz among the siblings as plans began to form.  Originally we were going to meet for a BBQ breakfast and a function dinner later in the day.  Only months later we hit on the idea of a three day get-together celebration in the holiday area of Mandurah.
Numerous friends holiday with their families annually and chat endlessly about their time together.  Not all of it is good! Some of them holiday at our holiday island Rottnest or hire out a house  in the picturesque south west.  More recently families hire a villa in Bali and spend a week or two.  It can  be cheaper than a holiday at home!
Not our family, we holiday separately and later bring out the photos and carry on about our adventures.  It was with little planning and a heap of trepidation that I prepared for our family celebration.  I cannot remember the last time we were all together on holiday and most of us are rather set in our ways!


The amazing relaxing deck

The holiday house needed to have disability access and bathroom facilities for both Merv and Mum.   
The owner was happy for us to change the fixed shower head for a hand held shower on the condition we changed it back again.  My younger sister supplied a shower chair and we used portable hand rails for balance.  The floor plan was level leading to the huge shady, relaxing deck with the amazing estuary view.
The hot Perth weather kept up the pace over the Friday to Monday weekend away.  The gentle cooling breeze from the estuary and the air conditioning kept us cool.  Eighteen of us partied together in unison. The temperature was warm as was the warmth and joy of each of us celebrating our 50th year in Australia.