It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times....

At long last, MokMok, Oklok and Moklok managed a trip down south to visit their country cousins. They arrived on a wet Wednesday afternoon, after a wet and windy trip along the Great Ocean Road. They'd spent a few days on the road, touring the countryside of NSW and Victoria. Olivia has started throwing up one day into the trip, followed by Michelle 24 hrs later, and Mark shortly after that. By the time they arrived in Coleraine, they appeared to be over the bug. Or so we thought.

"does my bum look big in this?"

On the Thursday, the weather had cleared enough to be somewhat pleasant. Whilst Michael had to work and the girls had to go to school, I had the day off to take them over to the Coonawarra winery region. We had lunch at a cafe in Penola. Lunch was very yummy.... until Olivia did a Poonami! Mark was holding her at the time, and commented on the smell. When the after effects started seeping through her onesie, he quickly passed her over to Michelle for changing. It had leaked down her legs and out the top. Michelle had to use the boot of the Renault as a change table. It was hilarious watching the expressions of horror, distaste and frustration on her face as she dealt with the nuclear holocaust from Olivia's bowels.

After the lunchtime movie, we visited Wynn's Estate and Mark bought himself a bottle of wine. We drove up and down the main highway, but I couldn't find Rymill's so we went back to Penola and checked out the lolly shop and antique store. Then it was back on the highway home. We were held up slightly by a farmer droving his sheep across the road but still made it back to Coleraine in time to pick Jemima up from school.

Got home in time to dump the passengers, say a quick hello to Mick, a boarder from Monivae who was spending the weekend with us as well, and drive Caitlin into Hamilton for her music lesson.

Michelle making friends with the sheep

Friday was pupil free day for the girls so they got to spend time with their cousin. We all (bar Caitlin and Mick) went into Hamilton to have lunch with Michael. We had a quick look at the Botanical Gardens and got caught by a shower. We also caught up with Jenny and Wazzie, Michael and Mark chose to spend the afternoon with them whilst Michelle, Mim, Olivia and I went home via a friend's so Michelle could see a proper sheep farm. We hadn't been at the Tooley's long before Jemima puked in the yard. I put it down to her eating too much at lunch, as she had no temperature and was fine up until 5 mins before puking. Janelle's husband Barrie offered to look after her while Janelle took us for a drive around the paddock and to show Michelle the Highland cattle. When we returned, poor Mim had puked again and was feeling very ordinary so we went straight home and put her to bed. It wasn't too much longer after that that Caitlin puked as well. The disease was amongst us!

Dinner that night was Arni Lemonato, rather delicious if I do say so myself. We were two down on dinner so there was plenty to go around. Mark decided that it would be prudent after dinner to see just how potent the electric dog collar was. He strapped it around his bare leg and Michael fired it at level 4. Mark groaned “oh, f^&%!” as his leg jerked around. He then requested it be ramped up so Michael upped it to 10 and fired. “Oh, F&^*!” was the response and he almost hit the floor. We couldn't stop laughing! And then he asked it to be maxed, so up it went to 15 and fire! Mark was rolling on the floor in agony and I had to race into the toilet before I literally pissed myself laughing. Michelle was putting Olivia to bed, shaking her head in disbelief.

Saturday morning dawned fine (thank goodness) as we headed over to Casterton for the Kelpie Festival. Michael stayed at home with the girls who were still recovering from their evening of upchucking. Mick Wheaton declined the invitation to join us as well.



Michelle was amazed. We had never seen so many inbreds coming out of the hills! And where else can you go and see a “Grand Parade” featuring the oldies in their electric scooters! There was a large crowd there, which made it difficult to see the novelty events, like the sheep racing and the 'dog most like its owner'.

"Giddyup!"
"Round em up"

Mark and I managed to get up front to see the Dog High Jump, but Michelle had to feed Olivia so she couldn't squeeze through the crowd later. I watched it for a while then joined Michelle in the wonderful game of people watching, and a game of “husband, brother or both?” We watched a bit of the Horse and Dog Trials and a few of the Hill Climb before Olivia decided it was time to call it quits for the day.
determination! He finally got himself over!

We decided to dine at the pub, to let the Sydney siders see the local wildlife. Michael convinced Mark that he had to try the crumbed scotch fillet which of course filled the plate. Poor Mark couldn't eat it, only a person possessed of a superhuman digestive tract could consume that amount of beef, bread and eggs in one sitting! After Olivia had been admired by a few of the locals, we went home to a roaring fire.

"not quite sure about Casterton"

Trees near the Glenelg River

It was about 2am Sunday morning when I woke up feeling uncomfortable. Not nauseous, just uncomfortable. After lying in bed for half an hour, I thought I might feel better if I made myself throw up. And then it started. I felt like I'd lost half my body weight in puke, and my ribs/back were so sore from throwing up.

That morning the dogs also managed to escape the confines of the houseyard. I'd only just noticed them gone (missing less than 10mins) when the neighbour rang. They were 'harassing' his sheep. Michael and I went to collect them, me still in my pjs with no glasses. The neighbour's wife abused me as I was wading barefoot through ankle deep icy muddy water to shut their gate.... I just turned around and puked in their paddock. They hadn't killed any sheep (they weren't interested in that, only chasing the moving ones), luckily but if he catches them in his paddock again, he'll have no option but to shoot them. Needless to say, the dogs spent the rest of the day in the bitches box, and I spent the rest of the day in bed.

Michael took Mark and Michelle and the girls to the Millard's property, to show them a mixed cattle/sheep farm. By all accounts, it was a bit cold on the back of the ute!

Mark and Michelle left on Monday morning, just as Michael started puking. They had come, they had saw, they had spread disease (moohaahhhaaaaa evil laugh). I spent the day gradually recovering, Michael spent it in bed, and Jemima challenged Mick to various Wii games. I drove Mick back to the boarding house late afternoon, and discovered that his wallet was lost. We searched all through the house...... only to discover that it had fallen down beside the B pillar in the car, five weeks later!

So, all up it was a great visit, but marred by sickness and dog escapades. Please come back again!