SAM' SIXTH PAGE - March,April 2001

 

Taken at the home of wonderful friend Padge Loney in Benalla, April 2001. Sam is 26 months old.
And on the right is Sam's wonderful neice Sienna, only two months younger than Sam. 
Sienna lives in Western Australia with her mother Catherine and father Peter Brown. Catherine is Dad's daughter - Sam's half sister. 

 
A VISIT TO UNCLE BRETT & AUNTY DANNI IN MYRTLEFORD
It has been an interesting start to the year for Sam. In March he visited his Uncle Brett and Aunt Danni for the first time. They live in Myrtleford in northern Victoria, surrounded by lakes, mountains and very close to the ski fields. Brett is Sam's mother's brother. Sam took to his new uncle and auntie straight away. He had a great time over the three days we stayed with them.

And on the way back home over the mountains, we stopped at Mount Hotham, one of Australia's premier ski resorts. Of course it was late summer and Sam could not experience snow, but the weather was crisp and sunny, and the views spectacular. 
... AND TO PADGE LONEY IN BENALLA
Padge is a dear friend of Sam's Mum and Dad - Dad has known the Loney family for some thrity years, and he collaborated with Jack Loney to write several small books. Jack was Australia's leading maritime and shipwreck author until he passed away in 1995 - a sad loss to everyone. 
Padge has retired to Benalla from Portarlington, and lives ina beautiful home right in town. 
POPPY FRANK AND GRANDY MARY WELCOMES SAM IN NURIOOTPA
Sam's Dad had not seen Poppy Frank for about thirty years and had not met Grandy Mary. Frank Baylis is actaully Sam's third cousin - Sam's grand-dad Dick Stone was a cousin of Franks. Frank looked after Sam's Dad from 1961 to 1964 when he was studying in Melbourne - Sam's dad regards Frank as his surrogate father. Frank and Mary live in Nuriootpa, a nice town in the Barossa valley, the premier grape growing and wine district in South Australia. We all had a great time with them, but it was far too short, so we must visit again, soon.
IN ADELAIDE SAM STAYED WITH GREAT FRIENDS CHRIS AND CATHY DEANE
Chris and Cathy have been great friends of Sam's Dad for several decades, and are always a pleasure to visit. They first met Sam when they came over to Gippsland last year  - one of their many visits to this part of the world - so they are no strangers to him. Chris and Dad headed off to scrounge in Adelaide's second-hand book shops, as Chris is also an avid collector of underwater books. 
AND WE ALL FELL IN LOVE WITH BEACHPORT
After leaving Nariootpa and Adelaide we headed for Warrnambool via the coast road, passing the fabulous Coorong, and stopping at Kingston and then Robe where we stayed the night. Robe is a marvelous old port, known historically as an embarkation port for the many Chinese immigrants heading for the gold fields in the 19th century. It has an old-world feeling - or used to anyway - it has now been 'discovered' and much money poured into the town. What it has gained in tourism it has lost in some of its charm. But 45 km down the road lies the fishing town of Beachport. Whereas it does not have as many old builddings as Robe, it is nevertheless a beautiful spot on a remarkable coastline. WE had a coffee at a small hotel which has been redecorated very sensibly - we fell in lovee with the place and wanted to stay on but it was Good Friday and we had no hope of  staying at such short nottice. But we will remember next time. 

... AND HOME
"Where have you been these past few weeks?" The cows come over to say hello to Sam. But his real love is Gracie, his wonderful kelpie-boxer cross.
Its nice going away, but there is nothing like being at home with Mum and reading a good book. Winter is now upon us, so Mum and Sam snuggle up by the fire and read, although Sam does seem to comprehend the mysteries of Margery Allingham. And where is Dad? Working on the computer of course. He only comes in to watch TV if it is The Bill, One Foot In the Grave, or Father Ted. Oh, and football of course.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 
to Sam's wonderful mother, to Dad's Mum in Perth, Catherine, Georgi, Stephanie, and all the other wonderful Mums in the world.
AND FINALLY....
Even the elephants at the Melbourne Zoo need a bit of loving attention. 
An update on Sam - of course...
Sam is now stringing words together and making up short sentences. His determination to do things for himself is as strong as ever and should hold him in good stead as he grows up. He literally "spits the dummy" when things don't quite go the way he wants them, but he doesn't sulk, and is most ehthusiastic in everything he does and most generous sharing with others. His motor skills are quite extraordinary, and he loves kicking a ball, or swinging a (plastic) golf stick which he does with precision - even to the extent of whacking a ball into the similarly of his Dad. He 'survived' the 2500km trip to South Australia in April, a long time for a little boy to be sitting in a car seat, but he did not complain, and indeed seems to enjoy car trips. He is growing up well and is an absolite pleasure to be with. His favourite toys are his golf set, and his Thomas the Tank Engine train set. (Sam's Mum and Dad don't mind him playing with the train set but will not let him see the TV show, nor read him any Thomas books - the show and books are idiotic, discouraging, and in poor taste, and do nothing to encourage a child - a small point perhaps but then, they were written by a minister of religion over a half a century ago, and are clearly 'not suitable for children'.) Hurrah for Bob The Builder!! And he loves his video of Brum. What a great kid!!!
And a special message to Aust Steffi and Uncle Marcus in London and Germany - please get over here as soon as you can and see what a wonderful country Australia is to bring up young men like Shaanon. 

SAM'S FIRST PAGE:  FEBRUARY - AUGUST 1999
SAM'S SECOND PAGE:  SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 1999
SAM'S THIRD PAGE:  JANUARY - NOVEMBER 2000
SAM'S FORTH PAGE:  DECEMBER 2000 - JANUARY 2001 
SAM'S FIFTH PAGE: FEBRUARY - MARCH  2001

Please - say Hello! to Sam.


Last updated 15 May 2001
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