Another year nearly gone. Wow they go fast. We hope 2025 has been a good one for you.
To quote Queen Elizabeth II in 1992, for us, 2025 has been our “Annus Horribilis”.
Where to start…
In July, our son Mark died in a traffic incident when a truck hit the scooter he was riding. We got that knock on the door nobody ever wants by two policemen to inform us of the accident and his death. To say we were shocked and devastated would be an understatement. It still doesn’t seem possible, but it is. It is now 5 months since his death and there is still - and always will be - a cloud hanging over us all. While we had not heard from him for some time, we know he was making his way in life working FIFO. His boss told us that Mark was very well liked and was due to begin a supervisor course so he could manage his own team. His work mates spoke very highly of him too, and enjoyed working with him. It is a comfort to know that he had turned a corner and was doing so well. Thankfully Mark did have a Will which has made sorting out his affairs so much easier - although Steve, who is Executor of the Will, has had so much to do. It is a slow process and there is always so much waiting for bureaucratic cogs to turn. Mark’s son and our grandson Tyler, is coming to terms with his dad’s death. It’s hard for everyone.
A week after Mark’s, death some low lives broke into his house and stole just about everything of value. CCTV from neighbours was able to identify one of three men and eventually two were arrested. Unfortunately, nothing has been found and returned. It was an extra blow for us. His neighbours have been really lovely and helpful.
Mark was a collector and a hoarder, so emptying his house has been one huge job. We put in very long hours for several weeks sorting through everything. Thank goodness for David, Sophie and Ashleigh for their help when they could. This job was made harder when you stumbled across his childhood toys, books, photos, school belongings etc. Sometimes we just sat and cried. Sometimes we still do.
He had done well with the mortgage on his house and were lucky to have a young couple wanting to purchase it to renovate and resell. They bought it “as is”, which was a relief for us as there was so much work to do on the house - Mark was not a house keeper!!! Settlement is on December 19th, which coincidently is also Mark’s birthday. He would have been turning 36. While there are still lots of tasks for us to do, sorting the house out is a big relief and weight off our shoulders. We can then concentrate on his Taxation, Superannuation, Insurance and meetings with a lawyer for other details - there is a list!!!!
With the support of our children, grandchildren, family and some wonderful friends, we are moving along, but it is tinged with sadness.
We should have known this year was not going to be a great one as far back as January, when an annual house pest inspection, picked up a problem in the roof with delignification of the the battens. After forking out a considerable sum we hope we have solved that problem! January also saw that the curtains that had been ordered in November 2023 and scheduled for installation in late January, hit a problem and we had to fight for the refund. Luckily it worked out and another fabulous curtain company were able to install new curtains relatively quickly and we are very happy with them. (Leslie’s Curtains in Applecross - for anyone wanting a great company!)
We often head out to lunch with friends or just by ourselves into Perth, Fremantle or locally - especially the Melville Glades Golf Club where we are social members. The Capri Restaurant in Fremantle is a popular spot for us with our wonderful friend Vicki. We have spent many hours eating there then moving onto a pub and perhaps over indulging on occasion. On one of those occasions with Vicki, we decided to book a Luxury Escape trip to Thailand and Khao Lak in June. Everything was going really well until we arrived in Thailand, where Vicki’s passport was stolen in the Thai airport prior to passing through immigration!!!!!! It was horrible for all of us, but especially Vicki. Poor Vicki was deported back to Australia. Her story was a saga. We stayed and while we managed to enjoy aspects of the stay, it was not the same and there was a dampener over us all the time. However, we can smile a little about it now and will plan to try again!
A week after Mark’s death, our very good friend Roy died after a long battle with cancer. His loss was heart-breaking too. We have spent so much time with him and Pam travelling around and enjoying each others company and we became very good friends. We all had similar interests which made spending time with each other easy. Roy and Steve would often go out metal detecting or phone each other and babble on for an hour or more about nothing in particular. He is sadly and deeply missed.
We split our two time share weeks in Mandurah at The Silver Sands Resort with a week in February and a week in May. We took our bikes again and had a fabulous time with friends or family coming to stay and eat out with us! The indoor pool and spa is always a big hit. It was a really nice and relaxing time and have another two weeks booked for 2026.
As members of The WACA, we try to get to as many cricket games at OPTUS Stadium and The WACA as we can. There is a fabulous atmosphere and the stadium is just brilliant. The new Ranford Train Station is very efficient for getting to Optus too. We have just finished attending the first test match - Australia vs England. An Ashes series!!!!! What a finish to that test!!! Nice to win, but a bit short! For us though, it is a great day out and we are able to meet up with friends, or go with friends and share the whole experience. We are looking forward to a summer of cricket ahead. We have ticked a Bucket List Wish this year too and are heading out on Christmas Day to Melbourne for The Boxing Day Test. Can’t wait.
Our much awaited van is still not with us! The build has been pushed out for eventual delivery towards the end of January 2026. While we have not liked the extended wait, we have been able to visit the factory and see it being built. It is exciting to see it slowly coming together and realise that we can now start planning and head off again during 2026. That is one great thing about having a local build, we can pop over whenever we want to see what’s happening.
David has had a job change and is now working FIFO with RIO. He is fabulous with his kids and we are so proud of him. David, like Sophie and Ashleigh have been such strength for us during this difficult year. Sophie is amazing, dealing with three little children and continuing to study Law - and somehow she still manages to achieve outstanding grades. She is nearing the end of her study with only a few units left. Being a FIFO wife has brought changes, but she juggles her time and is doing a great job.
Poppy is now 7 and heads to year 3 next year. She is such a kind, gentle, caring and empathetic little girl. She will grow up working for the United Nations as a peace maker we think! Nora heads to Pre Primary in 2026 and has enjoyed her Kindy experience. She is a born negotiator and we are hanging around to see what path she chooses when she is older. Freddie is turning three in 2026 and is a real little boy. He loves books and has boundless energy. They are all delightful children.
Tyler is now 14. We have him over to stay during school holidays and he is never any trouble and is easy to please and entertain. Poppy, Nora and Freddie adore Tyler and they all get along well. It is so wonderful and such a joy to spend time with all of them. We love them so much.
In June, Ashleigh joined the club and now has a mortgage for a lovely unit in Victoria Park. She has magnificent sweeping views of the city skyline that includes Optus Stadium. We are heading to her place for fireworks nights! She loves her apartment and is very happy there. It is nice to see. She is still at Hammond Park and had Year 2 this year and will have them again next year. She would prefer Pre Primary, but has enjoyed not having to spend so much time setting up and dismantling her classroom at the beginning and end of each term.
She and Steve’s dad, Denis, continue to have a wonderful relationship. “Pizza and Plonk” nights are a regular on their social calendar, as well as heading out to lunch or to the Swan Valley for wine tastings. It is so lovely. Denis still lives in the family house is keeping fit and healthy and will probably outlive us all.
Steve has had no opportunity to go metal detecting this year and is eagerly looking forward to getting into the new van and heading out somewhere to detect. He really enjoys cooking and has bought himself a Smoker BBQ and has a Sous Vide set up - we have had some amazing meals. He meets up with friends for men’s lunches regularly which he enjoys.
Paula keeps busy playing in the garden, sewing, cooking or reading and we both have lovely lunch dates by ourselves or with friends.
So, goodbye to 2025. We are not sad to see it go. We hope 2026 will be a fabulous one for us and wish it for you too.
A final thought, if you have children or nieces or nephews or grand children, hug them often.
Love and our very good wishes to you.
Steve and Paula
