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Ah, Christmas is here again and this time last year who would have guessed how 2020 would go. It has been a few years since I did a missive, but I picked a good year to produce another.

But let us look back a bit first. 2019 seemed so normal but also marked a milestone. Kiara had finished Year 12 with good results and was accepted into Deakin to undertake the Nursing Degree she wanted. However, first she would take a year off, work, save and travel. Siobhan was going well at her Social Work Degree, Cath’s business continued to thrive and challenge, while teaching still kept me amused. Plans were made for a holiday in Europe for late 2020. Such optimism! Christmas was in Melbourne with lunch with cousin Debbie & Michael then dinner at sister-in-law Terri & Damien’s. Much fun was had with myriad cousins big and small.

For New Year’s we visited friends Susan & Pete in Mt Beauty, while skirting the start of the bushfires, which should have been a warning. January was packed with activity as Rod & Mary visited, then our cousin Vincent, we saw “Come from Away”, finally got to see our friends Peta & Brian first daughter Rudy and then went to Sydney to catch up with all the family there! Our biggest fear was with the growing bushfires (remember those?) would we be able to drive to Sydney and would we be able to get back. Fortunately, we escaped that crisis.

Remote teaching was an interesting experience, walking out of the bedroom into class – properly dressed – disembodied voices for students, remembering to mute when needed and unmute after – apparently something I was noted for forgettingJ – was anyone there or was I just talking to empty laptops? But you quickly learn to adapt and make the best of things. New skills are developed and now I am a dab hand at making little instructional videos, maybe. Siobhan struggled through trying to complete her course on line but seemed to be mastering zoom meetings for Socialist Alternative. Cath’s business was a bit up and down but eventually settled into a rhythm with businesses adapting to meetings online. Kiara with her job at Bunnings suffered the biggest impact but not what you would expect. With everyone stuck at home DIY went crazy and she was working almost full time sorting online orders for people and dealing with stressed customers and the occasional “Karen”. Listening to her unload after a day’s work was educational. Oh, also while she was trying to build up some hours for her license.

February seemed quiet after that but in the background this virus thing was ticking away before, bang! Lock down 1.0!

By mid-year things seem to be improving and while Europe was definitely off the cards we hoped for a small trip to the country. Alas, Lock Down 2.0 killed that idea. So back to remote learning, zoom meetings to see family & friends, teaching in the bedroom while Cath ran her business remotely from the library, Kiara & Cath developing their mask making skills and everyone sharing one small house. We envied the chooks easy going life and started seeing strange things with spoons. We became closer as a family if a little stir crazy at times. Dan’s morning briefings became compulsory viewing. How did he manage to do it for over 100 days without losing his cool! We celebrated each little milestone and analysing every new rule.

As we moved through these difficult times the shining light was   ….. another Richmond Premiership – getting a bit monotonous but it cheers Cath up – and Storm winning again!

But eventually we made it out the other side and now coming up to Christmas it almost seems normal or at least the “new” normal. School is wrapping up, celebrations are happening, presents are being bought and trips planned – in a Covid safe way. Oh and our niece Natasha and boyfriend Alfred have moved down to Melbourne. Excellent!

So while much and nothing happened this year and 2021 is clouded with uncertainty, remember to enjoy what you have because you never know what is around the corner.

Merry Christmas, from Paul, Cath, Siobhan and Kiara.

PS: what I noticed as I went back through my 2020 photographs was how few had people in them. Sign of the times? Here is one from another time and place. Could be the dinner for my 60^th from 2019?

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Another major milestone. On Saturday 24th the family gathered at the War Vets to celebrate mum reaching her 90th birthday. It was just a small gathering of the choldren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a few friends from Wilson Street. so there were only 50 or so of us spread across the garden outside Peter Cosgrove House. Mum seemed a little overwhelmed by it all but pleased to see so many kids runnungand climbing, even if I am not sure she knew why they were there.
Chris and Cheree supplied an impressive two tiered white and dark chocolate mud cake decorated with a tennis lady which had mum most impressed and we all sang happy birthday badly. Cameras were clicking away everywhere so I am sure I can upload some photos soon. Check out the photo galleries.

Can’t believe I have just completed my 4th Round the Bay in a Day. Sure it is like child birth. You don’t remember how far or how hard 210km is on a bike until you are half way through and too late the bail out.

Might have some photos soon, but I certainly have the sore derriere to remember it by. Oh and a pretend gold medal!

By the way if you feel the urge to sponsor me you can at aroundthebayfundraising.com.au/?PaulMcglynn/ and support the Smith Family appeal. Thanks to all those who have sponsored me so far. Almost makes the pain seem worthwhile. Big question is will I be silly enough to do it again next year?

Well, along with about 12000 others we descended on Hanging Rock on the 21st to hear Leonard Cohen and friends.
It was annoying getting there, sublime once we arrived and frustrating trying to get away.
On advice we decided to park at Woodend and catch one of the shuttle buses to the concert as we figured driving into Hanging Rock and parking would be a nightmare. We were right on the latter seeing the traffic jam as the bus (eventually) rattled in on its own right of way but, like the organisers, we underestimated the number of shuttle buses that would run. So having started to queue at 2:30 we didn’t get on a bus until after four then arrived at the venue at about 4:30. Good run, slow organisers.

Unfortunately this meant we missed Dan Sultan’s 30 minute set. While slightly annoyed, Cath was devastated to miss his mellow crooning and maybe visual appeal? Glad we booked seats, even if they only turned out to be plastic chairs. Meant we had a definite place, without the need to fight for rug space and a view through heads like concerts at the Music Bowl but less civilised.

Having settled in and found the bar and loos we were able to relax to the sounds of Clare Bowditch for another short warm up set, before getting fully immersed into local whites and yummy cheese. Then it was some classic Paul Kelly with Vika and Linda Bull provided some very smooth, soulful support and the occasional lead. Vikka sing “so much water..” was just amazingly moving.

From there we moved into the man himself for two sets lasting what seemed like a lifetime but was about two and a half hours.
Much seemed familiar and it was hard to know what was his and what he acquired but it was all brilliantly delivered in typical Leonard Cohen deep tones, gravelly or smooth as suited. Some people around us suggested it was the same repertoire as for his last few concerts but they were still back for a repeat so they must have felt it was worth it. (I did later download his London live concert and yes it is pretty much the same, but who cares it was still brilliant)

Dancing at the edge of love, everybody knows, Suzanne and more. The crowded ooh’ed and aah’ed at all the right times. The Web sisters had divine voices, the Spanish guitarist was magic as were all his other support musicians. We all crooned along with Alleluia and croaked out “then we take Berlin”. Gee the local white was good.

Then there was the shuttle bus home. Nightmare queue! No control, no order, no buses for long periods and no clear information … “We load one at a time, or maybe not”, “Wait here, or there”, one poor girl trying to make sense while the drivers did what they felt was right, leaving without full loads stopping all over the place. What were those 6 security guys doing? Not much just watching from a distance. Not sure I would trust Dyson buses and who every else was running transport to do it again. Yet once again once on board after over an hours wait, it was a quick trip back to Woodend past snaking lines of almost stationary cars, so it was still the best option, just very frustrating. A little information can go a long way.

These posts seem to get more retrospective rather than live actions.
However on 6th June (I think) we celebrated the launch of Margot’s book, “Taking on the Challenge”.
Cath was very impressed with the plan to celebrate Margot’s life of adventure and service and helped contribute ideas, information and pictures, so it seemed fitting to have the formal launch at our place. While it was slightly disappointing that more wasn’t made of Margot’s time in Thailand, were we saw her in action, it was fascinating to read about the story of the founding of the Grail Nuns and some of Margot’s adventures.
Margot, Judy & Maggie gathered to celebrate with us in style & the odd glass of champagne.

Finally feel I can relax. Last class, last report, last school email. All done. Now I just have to pack and survive the girls going spare ’cause they are nervous and worried.
One bonus, we have just got our first Ipod. Had to trash ITunes and reinstall to get it working, but seems good now. Wonder what music I should load. Cath suggest we each have our own list. Good Idea.

Here is the photo of Siobhan after her first communion which I promised.

Getting tied and rambling so better stop now.

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