We Are Getting Too Old for This Stuff!

Last weekend we were made aware of the death of a member of Pete's previous family (we have bother been married before), and it was decided that we would make an attempt to attend the funeral. First issue was that it would be in Mackay - the best part of 7-800 kms north of where we live. We were given the day (last Thursday) of the funeral, but not the time. OK, down the Flight Centre and booked our flights, I chose the early morning one to go up - just our luck it would be a morning funeral if I decided on a later flight, but no it was to be at 2pm. Flight back was OK, it was at 6.15pm, no worries, but it was what they call a 'milk run, coming through from Cairns, stopping in Townsville, then Mackay, then Rockhampton with a change of planes before continuing onto Brisbane.






Our flight up left Brisbane at 6am, meaning we were up at 3am, leaving home at 3.30, drop the car off, and the shuttle bus out to the airport by 5am. It meant of course we had quite a bit of time to fill in before attending the funeral.




First off  on arrival in Mackay we picked up a rental car and away we went looking for a bite of breakfast come morning tea at the major shopping centre in Mackay called Canelands.




It was Pete who suggested maybe we might find a couple of craft shops - why didn't I think of that? Well, when you think about it, it is not something you would think about when you go somewhere for a funeral is it?






Anyway found two, the first one was a little bit ordinary, but oh boy, the second one was unreal. It was called Needleworx, the hardware store for ladies, and it was, it had everything you could possibly want in the sewing department.

Being conscious of not having any bags so to speak with us, I purchased just two patterns. There was a lovely 3 square Christmas swag hanging up, and on enquiry found they had sold out of the kits nor did they have any patterns for it either - did I want them to let me know when they got more kits in - no we were not from Mackay. Thought about this on the flight back and have since sent them an email asking if they could let me know when they get them in - here's hoping!






Here is a photo of the two patterns I did get, one for making Christmas stocking cutlery holders and the other one, ooh ... I just love it, it is a small quilted hanging saying 'A bear lover lives here' - does that sound like me or what?

The funeral went off as good as funerals can, and the 'afters' was quite pleasant as well. It was then off to the airport to hand back the car and check in.




On descent into Rockhampton the Captain announced there was a colony of bats crossing the runway and we were to circle for about 10-15 minutes so our arrival time was delayed a little. Once on the ground, we had a cuppa and a sandwich to fill the void for dinner, then found the plane to take us back to Brisbane was delayed about 45 minutes.




Finally we were away, landed in Brisbane, got the shuttle bus back to the car storage place to pick up our car and an hour drive home arriving about 11pm. We then fell into to bed around 11.30pm.




Have to say, both of us felt absolutely terrible after getting up around 7.30am on Friday morning, and have been recovering since. A 20 hour day is not something we do well these days, however, would we do it again if the need arises, yes we would - sometimes you just have to do these things.




For now though, it is time for another little snooze.


'Til next time.


Sorry this has come out with big breaks between paragraphs - not sure what has happened, by my apologies.