Daylesford

We drove up to Daylesford in the first week of January to see our friends Robert and Sarah, and their three kids. Robert and Sarah looked after us many times when we visited their place in Wakunai, Bougainville. This year is a significant year of sorts, as 2008 marks 10 years since we went to Bougainville (and started this "short" thing in community development work). So we have known Robert and Sarah for 10 years. Since we both met as childless couples, they have lived in various parts of Indonesia and spent a lot of time in West Papua. They now live in a big rambling old house in Daylesford. It is full of carved artworks from West Papua, kids toys everywhere and a vegetable garden that is taking over the bottom half of the property.

On the evening we arrived we had a BBQ by Daylesford lake. Alesia was introduced to tree-climbing, wading in mucky lake water to chase ducks and general rumbling about. She had a fantastic time (and Sarah, the white dress is still white!) and even coped with the dog running off with one of her shoes while she was jumping on the trampoline.

On the second day of our visit Alesia joined the kids (including one of the neigbours) in finding cubbies, banging on wood, playing jumping games on the trampoline and generally experiencing the country outdoors life that I grew up with. I didn't realise just what an urban child Alesia is until I saw her getting used to walking around with no shoes on.