We're more than halfway through a visit by Rene's sister Claartje and her husband Jan. After 31 years of living together they finally decided to tie the knot on October 2nd on a beach on North Stradbroke Island, off the coast of Brisbane.
They arrived on the previous Monday to an unusually hot 35C day, mind you after hot and humid Hong Kong it didn't seem to them to be all that bad. It was a total delight to be seeing them after nearly four years.
We all talked, drank, visited friends, saw sights and generally had a wonderful time. On the Wednesday our friends Di and Torquil headed off to Italy for a month and we left for Straddie - not Italy, but paradise all the same. At just 50minutes by ferry from Brisbane it is a million miles away from the rush of the city yet just across the bay.
The search was on before lunch for koalas to satisfy the visitors need to tick off their long list of things to be seen in Australia. At Amity Point we saw not one but three in the same tree. After a delightful lunch at the Seashells Cafe (highly recommended) we drove to pick up the keys to the apartment. I had been entrusted to book it, and I did well. 'The Lookout' turned out to have 180 degree views on two levels from Moreton Island across to Point Lookout. We could even see whales from the balconies.
Next we met with the celebrant. She is a Dutch lady who has been on the island for 41 years and a celebrant for the past 17. Ingrid lives in a stunning rain forest garden - the source of Claartje's wedding bouquet, generously supplied by the celebrant the next day fresh from her garden. Ingrid was very businesslike going through all the formalities; asking questions about Jan and Claartje's lives, their likes and dislikes, the colours we'd all be wearing the next day. We left after 40 minutes with a brief to select the site for the ceremony from three suggestions. We made our choice and let her know the following day two hours before the 3:30pm start.
A walk around The Gorge; spotting whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays, used up the remaining daylight and we later had dinner at the brand new Straddie Hotel.
The wedding day began in brilliant sunshine with another walk around The Gorge, this time in the opposite direction, and loads more whales, some breaching, were spotted. Lunch was prawns from Amity Point (straight off the trawler that morning) complete with bread. Rene and I had been to Ingrid's home to let her know that Deadman's Beach was to be the site for the ceremony. The bouquet was still being finished off, a stunning array of colours and perfumes all wrapped in paper bark. Very Australian! With lunch over and bouquet safely delivered it was time to dress for the wedding.
Ingrid was already set up on the beach. The location was picture perfect, we all looked marvellous, and our delightful 69 year old Dutch celebrant started proceedings. She blended the formality required by law with the familiarity of someone connected spiritually to the persons gathered in front of her. What a phenomenal woman she turned out to be! Such poise, such warmth, such sincerity. She won us over totally. It would have been wonderful with an ordinary celebrant, but this lady added something very special to what was an already special occasion.
Most was in English, but their vows were expressed to each other in Dutch. Jan sang his using two iPods programmed with the music and lyrics from the same Limburg artist performing at their wedding party this December back home. Their party for family and friends (90 of them) will be in an art gallery in the south of Holland. But they won't get to hear Jan sing - in fact nobody will ever hear him sing in public again. It was very emotional and simply beautiful. I had the printed lyrics translated into English for me by Jan, he and Claartje listened to one iPod, Rene and Ingrid listened to the other. At this time I noticed two pairs of whales constantly breaching in the background, in fact they remained for the rest of the ceremony. The local Aborigines say it is a sign of great luck.
Claartje said her vow in Dutch to Jan, and I could work out enough to keep along. There were tears from all of us at various times, even the celebrant. Thank heavens for sun glasses.
We eventually arrived at the restaurant for drinks in the Sunset Bar. Ingrid joined us for the first couple of bottles, then she left us and we moved to our table downstairs. We had a most wonderful three courses accompanied by marvellous wines, and all in all a splendid time was had by all. I can highly recommend Amis Restaurant at the Pandanus Resort for fine dining.
We left the car there and walked a short distance to our accommodation. Next morning I collected it and we packed and headed back to Brisbane after a walk around Dunwich, the little port.
As a conclusion to the wedding I suggested to Claartje that she throw the bouquet into the sea, in the wake of the ferry, in the hope that it may float back to the island. This was a lovely final gesture.
There is lots more to tell; like the box, the package (another much smaller box) from an exclusive jewellers in Eindhoven, the 'ah haa' moments...but putting them into print doesn't do them justice. These are the shared stories that will bind me to Claartje, Jan and Rene for life. These are the moments that fill a story with colour and life, yet also a comfortable intimacy. I'm so proud to be in their family. Thanks.
Sunday saw the newly weds fly off with Rene to Alice Springs. During the course of the next week they drove 2200km to Uluru, Kings Canyon, three art centres and generally spent time seeing the real Australia that many don't see. Jan and Claartje are now one week into a two week camper van holiday driving from Sydney to Melbourne via a very circuitous route. Rene came back last Tuesday and I was very glad to see him. Meanwhile of course I was back at school this past fortnight slaving away at the coal face. It's alright for some!
REALITY CHECK !
I have tried to ignore the current economic tsunami embroiling the world but cannot. My superannuation statement that arrived last week proved that times are indeed tough. Things will once again improve, but it'll be quite a long while before they do. As to the causes? Greed and the desire for smaller government. An international expert in banking described the Netherlands and Australia as having the best controlled banking systems in the world (something about a two pronged regulatory system - or something). I actually forget since I heard it on radio and didn't read it. Yet we are suffering still because we're so globally interconnected. I hope Americans learn from this and bring into force more accountability. Mind you, as I see and hear some Americans on television openly stating that they fear Obama because he's an Arab, I really wonder if the USA as a whole is intellectually and emotionally up to the challenge.
IN CLOSING...
Closer to home, work has begun on a massive tunnel project near our home (
http://www.brisconnections.com.au/). We had a community meeting in the neighbouring park this morning. 'Airport Link' is an 11.8km network of tunnels and ramps that begin under Kalinga Park, right beside us. It is across the opposite side of the park (800m away), but nevertheless close enough to make itself known to us during the 2 year construction phase. Ultimately we will have our park returned better than before, with additional facilities and improved creek flows etc, but the work site is going to be behind a dense row of trees, a blight on the landscape for two years. They appear to be going to extreme lengths to minimise any impact on residents. The proof of the pudding.....
Rene's gone to sleep, I'd better join him. I'll add pictures in the morning and then post this update. In closing I should just mention that I finally saw Mamma Mia (good fun) last weekend plus a preview of the new film Brideshead Revisited (really brilliant). I plan to see the new Coen Brothers film Burn After Reading tomorrow with Rene. I have heard nothing but rave reviews for this movie, plus I love anything the Coens put together, and throw in George Clooney and I'm in heaven. Tot ziens!
