My Last Holiday with my Brother Kenny
my younger brother died in 2014, it was unexpected. I had anticipated seeing him again sometime in the future. It was in fact sudden and tragic. But now I recall happier times, the last time I met him physically and his wife, Barbara in Australia, was ten years earlier in 2005. Barbara was travelling around OZ doing promotional work for her company, so it seemed opportune for Ken to tag along and catch up with me. He travelled independently and we met in a leafy southern suburb of Perth, Medina, where he would spend a week or two until Barbara joined us later.
I met him at the airport. Here he came into OZ
Back bent in a laboring position as he pushed his trolley out of customs. No cigars for me, just stacks of fags for himself – he had a strong addiction! After a few days of R&R and a bit of acclimatization the plan was to take off south, heading for the further most tip of WA, the old whaling town of Albany. I noticed strangely enough for the first time, his ability to relax, as I never thought he could. But he would sit on the front porch with a good book and sit there reading for an hour or two. He had also developed a love of cooking and produced some good dishes for us.
We took off one fine Monday heading south, first stop Margaret River which would take us 3 and a half hrs; a beautiful little town nestled in a valley with plenty of tourist attractions. The topic of him driving had never arisen [more of that later]. We booked a B&B for a couple of nights and explored our surrounds. We had single beds in a shared bedroom, and Kenny became comfortable with his now usual paperback and proceeded to read himself to sleep. As I lay becoming drowsy myself I gradually noticed him talking and thought he was addressing me. No he was in fact asleep with his book propped in his chest and talking to who knows who! I should have just ignored him really but I interjected and called out to him several times at which he awoke and asked “what’s the problem”. When I explained he refuted his behavior but then a few minutes later repeated it – I gave up and dropped off myself!
We spent some time browsing around and headed off into the surrounds to find a country fair happening with plenty of lively music and a beer tent with samplers of all locally made beers. I had wanted to introduce him to Stone Cottages where Lyn and I often went – right in the middle of the forest – but all booked out. So we decided to head further south to our final destination Albany, once a big whaling station town but now just tourism. We had plenty of time so just meandered and stopped for a visit to the Tree Top Walks –walking high in the hundreds of feet tree top canopy of the forest – we were like a couple of kids again. Later we found another forest stay over called Tinglewood Cabins; nothing much to see but forest and another late night laugh. This time we had single bedrooms ; this was a real cottage! Kenny did his usual thing of sitting by the log fire and reading a book whilst I hit the sack a bit exhausted. I awoke maybe twenty minutes later to see the dining room light still on and what’s more shining directly into my room. “bugger I said aloud ; he’s left the bloody light on” whereupon I heard Ken’s muffled protestations “ I haven’t gone to bed yet” at which he indignantly switched off the light. I was somewhat bemused but realized that we still had ‘touch paper’ moments. Nothing more was discussed of this event. We then headed off for a brief stop at Denmark another small town on the river and then finally to our southern most destination Albany. We’d arrived midmorning so had a look around town and chose a pub for lunch and to check out for ideally stop overs in to the town – but all booked out so finished up a few miles out which suited our needs – nothing flashy but we just rugged down. I enjoyed watching Kennys culinary skills in our deal of taking turns to cook dinner each day. We were surrounded by kangaroos who moved around at their leisure and amused Ken no end.
Early in town we had managed to get into an old pub on the ocean front for a drink – empty except for one young fella who was getting extremely pissed – eventually the local bobby came in and escorted him away. We finally decided to make the long haul home with no real stop overs and this is where Ken started getting ‘itchy’ to drive. So as the roads were deserted and all seemed calm I handed him the keys. God he turned into stirling moss and pushed the pedal down. The roads were empty and I reminded him that we could take a leisurely able back home but to no avail – he wanted to push it. So when we came along another lone driver out in front Ken was beeping the horn – swearing and cursing just to get –passed – this was another side I’d not seen of Ken and his driving!
As we left the countryside and headed into outer Perth suburbia I took over the driving – much to Kens disappointment but there was heavy traffic ahead – traffic lights – zebra crossings etc – all to catch out the unwary driver!!
We arrived back home exhausted [well at least I was] and then he just relaxed again – reading his novels and doing some cooking. It was like there were seven different kinds of Ken inside there!! We now awaited for Barbara to return from her trip over east and join us for the remainder of the hols. But before that some humor. I took Ken to one of our favorite watering holes Fremantle Port – full of eateries and pubs and to meet my good mate Sam [who can if necessary attest to this story- as can Barbara from the other end!]
We three were sitting there this sunny afternoon having a beer and chatting when Ken decided to ring Barbara [bad move]. Barbara’s phone was answered by a male voice ‘Hi this is XXXX’ Kenny was somewhat bemused and exclaimed – ‘who are you and what are you doing with my wifes phone’? to which ‘ I’m xxx and sort of working with Barbara and there’s a gang of us having drinks after work in barbaras room’ Well on our part of the pavement the air turned blue and when Barbara finally answered her phone, turned even bluer. This was an event that Kenny really didn’t like too much .His voice grew angrier and angrier, and remember he was standing on the pavement of a busy street with other customers sitting either side and listening to his half of the conversation. I really found it rather amusing. Sam my mate was bemused and the passerby just ignored him. Kenny was oblivious to all around – he just wanted to know why some man had his wife’s phone and was throwing a party for a dozen or so in her room. This didn’t sit well with him!! They did discuss it at length on her joining us a week later. She tried desperately to convince him it was all harmless but I am not sure he was.
The four of us then back down south again spending a week in other parts – this time it was more relaxing. But little did we all know that this would be Ken’s first and last holiday in OZ
my younger brother died in 2014, it was unexpected. I had anticipated seeing him again sometime in the future. It was in fact sudden and tragic. But now I recall happier times, the last time I met him physically and his wife, Barbara in Australia, was ten years earlier in 2005. Barbara was travelling around OZ doing promotional work for her company, so it seemed opportune for Ken to tag along and catch up with me. He travelled independently and we met in a leafy southern suburb of Perth, Medina, where he would spend a week or two until Barbara joined us later.
I met him at the airport. Here he came into OZ
Back bent in a laboring position as he pushed his trolley out of customs. No cigars for me, just stacks of fags for himself – he had a strong addiction! After a few days of R&R and a bit of acclimatization the plan was to take off south, heading for the further most tip of WA, the old whaling town of Albany. I noticed strangely enough for the first time, his ability to relax, as I never thought he could. But he would sit on the front porch with a good book and sit there reading for an hour or two. He had also developed a love of cooking and produced some good dishes for us.
We took off one fine Monday heading south, first stop Margaret River which would take us 3 and a half hrs; a beautiful little town nestled in a valley with plenty of tourist attractions. The topic of him driving had never arisen [more of that later]. We booked a B&B for a couple of nights and explored our surrounds. We had single beds in a shared bedroom, and Kenny became comfortable with his now usual paperback and proceeded to read himself to sleep. As I lay becoming drowsy myself I gradually noticed him talking and thought he was addressing me. No he was in fact asleep with his book propped in his chest and talking to who knows who! I should have just ignored him really but I interjected and called out to him several times at which he awoke and asked “what’s the problem”. When I explained he refuted his behavior but then a few minutes later repeated it – I gave up and dropped off myself!
We spent some time browsing around and headed off into the surrounds to find a country fair happening with plenty of lively music and a beer tent with samplers of all locally made beers. I had wanted to introduce him to Stone Cottages where Lyn and I often went – right in the middle of the forest – but all booked out. So we decided to head further south to our final destination Albany, once a big whaling station town but now just tourism. We had plenty of time so just meandered and stopped for a visit to the Tree Top Walks –walking high in the hundreds of feet tree top canopy of the forest – we were like a couple of kids again. Later we found another forest stay over called Tinglewood Cabins; nothing much to see but forest and another late night laugh. This time we had single bedrooms ; this was a real cottage! Kenny did his usual thing of sitting by the log fire and reading a book whilst I hit the sack a bit exhausted. I awoke maybe twenty minutes later to see the dining room light still on and what’s more shining directly into my room. “bugger I said aloud ; he’s left the bloody light on” whereupon I heard Ken’s muffled protestations “ I haven’t gone to bed yet” at which he indignantly switched off the light. I was somewhat bemused but realized that we still had ‘touch paper’ moments. Nothing more was discussed of this event. We then headed off for a brief stop at Denmark another small town on the river and then finally to our southern most destination Albany. We’d arrived midmorning so had a look around town and chose a pub for lunch and to check out for ideally stop overs in to the town – but all booked out so finished up a few miles out which suited our needs – nothing flashy but we just rugged down. I enjoyed watching Kennys culinary skills in our deal of taking turns to cook dinner each day. We were surrounded by kangaroos who moved around at their leisure and amused Ken no end.
Early in town we had managed to get into an old pub on the ocean front for a drink – empty except for one young fella who was getting extremely pissed – eventually the local bobby came in and escorted him away. We finally decided to make the long haul home with no real stop overs and this is where Ken started getting ‘itchy’ to drive. So as the roads were deserted and all seemed calm I handed him the keys. God he turned into stirling moss and pushed the pedal down. The roads were empty and I reminded him that we could take a leisurely able back home but to no avail – he wanted to push it. So when we came along another lone driver out in front Ken was beeping the horn – swearing and cursing just to get –passed – this was another side I’d not seen of Ken and his driving!
As we left the countryside and headed into outer Perth suburbia I took over the driving – much to Kens disappointment but there was heavy traffic ahead – traffic lights – zebra crossings etc – all to catch out the unwary driver!!
We arrived back home exhausted [well at least I was] and then he just relaxed again – reading his novels and doing some cooking. It was like there were seven different kinds of Ken inside there!! We now awaited for Barbara to return from her trip over east and join us for the remainder of the hols. But before that some humor. I took Ken to one of our favorite watering holes Fremantle Port – full of eateries and pubs and to meet my good mate Sam [who can if necessary attest to this story- as can Barbara from the other end!]
We three were sitting there this sunny afternoon having a beer and chatting when Ken decided to ring Barbara [bad move]. Barbara’s phone was answered by a male voice ‘Hi this is XXXX’ Kenny was somewhat bemused and exclaimed – ‘who are you and what are you doing with my wifes phone’? to which ‘ I’m xxx and sort of working with Barbara and there’s a gang of us having drinks after work in barbaras room’ Well on our part of the pavement the air turned blue and when Barbara finally answered her phone, turned even bluer. This was an event that Kenny really didn’t like too much .His voice grew angrier and angrier, and remember he was standing on the pavement of a busy street with other customers sitting either side and listening to his half of the conversation. I really found it rather amusing. Sam my mate was bemused and the passerby just ignored him. Kenny was oblivious to all around – he just wanted to know why some man had his wife’s phone and was throwing a party for a dozen or so in her room. This didn’t sit well with him!! They did discuss it at length on her joining us a week later. She tried desperately to convince him it was all harmless but I am not sure he was.
The four of us then back down south again spending a week in other parts – this time it was more relaxing. But little did we all know that this would be Ken’s first and last holiday in OZ
