Day 14
Sue & Amanda
We got up early and went to the dinner room to have breakfast. There we were joined by our old friends Russell, Geoff, Anne, Kimberly and Dallas and our new friend Marg. Bill served us a wonderful breakfast of poached eggs and freshly steeped tea (I love the fact they use real tea leaves in Aussie). Adam and I were not feeling a 100% that morning so we went back up to the room while David took Amanda to meet Rob, Vic and her daughter Ebony and they all headed to the Coroner's Court.
From Amanda ... We waited for hours for a tour, but in the end it was well worth it. We got to see all the offices that they work in, but weren't allowed to enter the labs. We did, however get to see the unidentified dead bodies in the fridge. They didn't look like people any more, but like wax figures almost.
When David spoke after VESA made their presentation to him, he gave a rather interesting speech! He stated that he hated Coldbeck's guts, and criticised a few aspects of VESA. It was interesting to watch the reaction from the room!
They all enjoyed the experience of the tour (gory lot they are)! I wish I had been at the court when VESA had made their presentation to David. Unfortunately there was no time to get back to the motel to get Adam and I. I admire a man who is truthful and stands by what he believes in. David pulls no punches (as most of us know) and I understand that he told it as he sees it on that day.
Rob, Vic, Ebony (Vic's daughter), Amanda and David came back to the motel and picked Adam and I up. We drove to a quaint area of the city and then walked to a wonderful little Italian place for lunch. We had a great lunch with lots of laughter and Vic and I plotted out our afternoon shopping excursion. After being fortified with wine we set out for Melbourne Central. This is a huge shopping complex (much bigger than anything I have ever seen). Amanda thought she died and went to heaven when we found the Saint Kilda section of Myer's. Amanda was so impressed that Ebony actually went to the same school as Aussie Jones (a footy player).
Vic and I once again explained to the men accompanying us on this shopping spree that women NEED chocolate in their diets. I was so very touched when my son went to the chocolate store and bought me a box of chocolates. (he will make some woman very happy some day)
The Melbourne Grand Prix will be on in a few days and the city was setting up for the event. At Melbourne Central Vic got the kids posters and programs of the Grand Prix. We looked at the displays of cars and checked out this one young guy in particular who was working at one of the displays. We were all too chicken to ask if he was a racing car driver. After a great discussion we decided he wasn't any one important.
David, Rob and Adam all pleaded exhaustion so we ended our shopping expedition. We hugged goodbye in the parking garage and headed back to the motel.
While I showered and changed Manda and David went downstairs to visit Russell in his room. After an hour or so they came to tell us it was time to have dinner.
We met Marg and the Perkins outside and walked to the restaurant. While walking I was given all sorts of fragrant flowers from the trees along the streets. I swear Russell knows the proper name of every plant in Australia! We sort of took over the restaurant because there were so many of us. It was our waiter's first night working there and he was slightly nervous as he flirted with Amanda (who once again had beer with her dinner). We had a wonderful time at dinner and Geoff toasted Russell and David since they have both left the Committee of Management of V.E.S.A. It was a poignant moment bring a tear to the eyes of several at the table.
After devouring a truly delectable meal, we walked back to the motel and Russell's room for a nightcap (or several). It was a wonderful day spent with true blue friends and family!
Continue the Journey