Day 349- Goodbye Luncheon

At the home of Bruno and Margaret D'Elia, Glenroy- Sunday, December 9th

Time was running out but we had to see Bruno and Margraet D'Elia, Joan's father and step-mom who have been so kind to us this year. Also attending were Mary and Susan, Joan's sisters and Susan's husband Gerrald. Now all of them have been to visit Joan and Denis in our house in Oakville at one time or another throughout the year.
It was wonderful to catch up on their Canadian adventures and to hear about how the other end of the exchange was going. Bruno and Margaret had been to a dinner at our house with Colleen's Mom and Dad as well as mine. The 6 parents, I'm sure, had a few laughs and shared many stories about us all. We heard only a few!
It was, sadly, time to say goodbye to all, and we parted knowing that we would probably see one another again. This was one of those unexpected things about going on an exchange- that you gain new friends far away, and you get to know your exchange partner's families.

On the way down the Citylink tollway, I took a detour through the Docklands. It is here that Lonely Planet has its headquarters in an old warehouse. I just had to have my photo taken outside the building. Lonely Planet had its humble beginnings here in Melbourne and has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. The boys rolled there eyes at their father, Colleen went along with me and took the pictures. I fulfilled a lifelong dream...maybe I will become a LP writer some day. I here they are hiring for a Darwin based writer...