It is extraordinary how significant a moment in time can be. Think of all the times in your life when a few seconds before or a few seconds after could have dramatically changed an outcome. Understandably, my thoughts often turn to this conundrum as I live with the consequences of an accident that happened nearly three years ago. If I had taken a few moments more to put my gloves on, for example, I would not have been in the corner I was in when the accident occurred.
Of course, that is all theoretical, ifs and buts do not matter in the grand scheme of things, but the concept does cross my mind from time to time as I consider how my life changed in that moment. On a reflective note such as that it is good to remind ourselves that we should live our lives as if they were about to end because we truly do not know what is just around the corner.
Yesterday I had the opportunity of spending most of the day with the two youngest of my three grandsons and it was a beaut day. Joshy went to stay at a mate’s place for the day so I only had Daniel and Thomas.
We started the day at the excellent Motorlife Museum. I am very privileged to have this wonderful facility just a couple of kilometres from my place. Privately owned and funded, the museum is steadily growing and now includes a much bigger range and number of displays from when I last visited in 2010. It is particularly concerned with the preservation and display of pre-War vehicles but does include some 50’s and 60’s examples in the collection. The number of motorcycles included in the collection has also increased quite dramatically and there are some wonderful examples to admire. I have always been pleased that, included in the collection is one of the Clem Daniel Specials (above) built by a local Wollongong engineer in the 60’s and 70’s and raced with great success by many local Wollongong luminaries. This one is an early example, from 1964 and was raced by, amongst others, Kevin Cass.
From there we walked across the private road to the park where the boys let off some pent-up steam playing on the fixed equipment. It was nearly 30 degrees in the sun yesterday so they didn’t last that long before needing a drink and some shade so we headed back home.
After a drink, some morning tea and a little rest we headed out again. The destination was The Famous Robertson Pie Shop and I navigated there by way of the backroads as much as possible to throw them off the scent. The boys loved their sausage rolls and were most impressed when I introduced them to the owner who is a mate of mine.
From there the plan was to head down Jamberoo Mountain to Kiama and an ice cream stop in the main street. We took a small detour and went to Carrington Falls, which was “awesome” and also the lookout that surveys the whole of the coastline from Port Kembla in the north to Saddleback Mountain in the south.
The Grand Plan went somewhat awry, however, when a couple of kilometres past Barren Grounds we came to a barricade across the road and a sign that proclaimed the the road would be closed to traffic between 0830 and 1700 every day from the 23rd September through till the 4th of November. So, U Turn, back up the mountain and back home via Macquarie Pass instead. (only about a 25km detour)
I was still determined to finish the day with a flourish, however, so, instead of just heading home, we hit the local shopping mall for a slushie and donuts (as you do).
I should add that the sticker on Thomas’s forehead was from the apple that he had for morning tea and that it stayed on his forehead for the rest of the day. Like I said yesterday, I have some crazy grandchildren. 🙂
Was it a great day? Yes! Was I glad when their mother came and collected them at 1530? Oh, yeah! Was I KNACKERED when they were gone? Hell, yes! But I wouldn’t have missed it for anything and, guess what? I have the THREE of them for the day on Thursday!
As I said, before and after, you never know what the day may bring.
jeffb says
Well done, Phil! Grandkids are great and tiring all at the same time. We have the 3.5 and 1.1 yrs from tomorrow lunch until Sunday lunch. Roll on Sunday afternoon! Too much fun.
Phil Hall says
Yes, they are, mate. But the best thing about grandkids is that you can give them back!