EC-Rider Travels

We had a lovely lazy morning, then Tim kindly drove us all the way to Flinders, where we were to have lunch with Sophie Warburton’s parents-in-law, Sally and Justin O’Day. Despite it being Boxing Day there was quite a lot of traffic on the road, however we managed to leave the sprawling city of Melbourne and into headed into the rolling countryside. It was a beautiful drive through what must be a pretty affluent area of stunning houses, sophisticated farming, immaculate vineyards and horses grazing in lovely green paddocks – all a bit different from what I have seen over the last three months! Victoria has seen an unprecedented amount of rain over the last few months and we were lucky to see it looking so green and lush. After about an hour and a half we arrived at the O’Days amazing, modern and exquisitely decorated seaside house, on the golf course, over looking Flinders bay.

The temperature today has increased by about 15° and is suddenly in the late 30s so it was wonderful to be in a beautifully air-conditioned home having a delicious lunch, looking out to sea. Tom’s brother Rod, and lovely wife, Penny, were there with their too adorable little people, Lucy and BB (Arthur’s first cousins!). We could not have had a more lovely time.

We returned late afternoon to do a quick turnaround to go back down-town to have supper with Dad’s cousin Vivienne Harkness (Nee Meyer) in the fabulous Sofitel Hotel. It is all a bit of a culture shock to be in such a metropolitan city again! With the restaurant on the 35th floor we had the most wonderful views of Melbourne as the sun went down and the buildings lit up. It was lovely to catch-up with Vivienne and goodness we had a delicious and spoiling dinner.