The Ashes Ceremony

The reason for the Trip.

The Ashes Ceremony.

29/6/2014.

Hazel and Greg Dewsnap

Greg died on the 22/10/2010 and sat in our study waiting....

On the 25/3/2014 Hazel died .

Their final wishes was to be taken to Echuca and be cast into the Murray.

We managed to find a lovely winery called Morrisons and they had a pontoon 

that the paddle steamers visited.

After a couple of questions we got permission to use the pontoon and booked lunch

in the winery...win win situation.

The boys are here blending the ashes.

The Dewsnap plaque was found in the Ashes.

Out onto the pontoon...with a glass of Sparkling Red to wish them on their way.

Stephen attempted to read a verse that I had written.

(I had to reread it so we could all understand it)

A copy of which is at the bottom of this blog entry.

To say it was cold was an understatement...but at least the rain held off.

Me rereading the verse.

The sons doing the deed.

With Bassie adding the Victoria Bitter to the mix

for Pops benefit.

Together again at the Murray and in the Murray.

Everyone had a flower to drop into the water and 

have their own private thoughts.

The flowers floated off leaving a lovely trail from us and into the distance

To get a picture of the four cousins is a little unusual these days so became a must.

So from left to right.

Liam, Dale, Kristian and Sebastian.

Then the respective Fathers with their boys...sorry men.

(Keep getting told off for calling them Boys!)

Kristian doing a selfie...

Stephen's not going to let him loose with the camera again.!

Then back to Addams Family home to collect Bassie's gear and show the boys the....!

Mario decided that if he stood there too long he would be a main stay!! 

Now for the Verse...

Greg and Hazel Dewsnap

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Words that seem to mean so much.

Love and memories, good and bad.

Funny times and some so sad

All come together today

Right here and right now.

Greg and Hazel 

Mum and Dad,

Nan and Pop,

Started their married life here 

And wished to come back together.

So today we fulfil that wish.

And cast their ashes into the mighty Murray.

Together again to continue their journey.

We do this with love and happy thoughts,

Because we know that it is what they wanted,

So say goodbye in your own ways

And end a chapter of life today.

Fini

The Adams Family ??

I forgot to add these earlier, this is the place we are staying in,

Bassie & I have named it the Addams Family House!

To say any of us have EVER seen any thing like it is an understatement!

Above is one of the bedrooms. 

Alison & I have asked Bassie to swap as we couldn't sleep in the other   

bed..... 

The kitchen is fully equipped with new appliances.

The TV rooms fully equipped.

The whole place is er...interesting!!

If you ever come to Echuca 

well.....

Echuca

We picked up Bassie at the airport & headed straight towards Echuca.

Nephew Liam suggested going up through Kilmore.

So I had to go via The Old Kilmore Jail.

Friends of mine had bought it when it was a wreck, 

& converted it into their home about 40 years ago.

We arrived in Echuca & much to our delight found that "The American Hotel"

was open again, 5 years ago it had just closed 10 days earlier.

In fact it had just spent $6 million on renovation.

Alison & I by the front window.

After a lovely lunch we managed to happen on the new chef.

I explained to him that Mum & Dad

 started their married life there & had lived there for 6 months.

So we managed to get a guided tour of the

"new" hotel.

The lights are fantastic.

The original staircase.

I wonder how many times Mum & Dad used these?

Followed by a quick trip to The Old Port,

2 beaut Furry Feet, just great.

One of the paddle steamers leaving port.

Some of the other boats that use the port.

Bassie having a few moments quiet contemplation, about tomorrow.

The Barge Alison, hmmmmm!!!!

(The words dead meat come to mind. From Alison the non writer of the above).

Heading Back

Off to Bateman's Bay and a catch up with Richard and Sandra.

The view from the house has not changed and a 

gentle walk was in order while we where there.

The cloud formations showed that the weather was on the change...

but pretty spectacular.

Next day we went for a drive to the Lookout over Batemans Bay,

and on through Nellingen.

A little piece of Black and White with the new lens...

We moved on from Richard and Sandra, through the mountains.

The weather was awful with low temps and roaring winds.

Here is the other original famous dog...

apparently I have to google the story...

I did not want to get out of the car as it was so cold..

The hamburger was good though!!!

Next stop was Bethanga...to visit Jean-Gabriel and Jenni..

other people we met at Kennedy Range.

The weather was still bad but the view showed so much promise.

Apparently the bird life is fantastic around here ...

so another visit when we have more time has been requested!

The four of us with the non-view in the background.

On the road again...heading for Rutherglen..

typical Stephen had to stop for the windmill!!!

Over the Bethanga bridge....

Stephen stopped and just shot this before we got 

moved on by traffic...yes traffic!

Into Rutherglen, stopped for a Meal Break then onto

the wineries to do some shopping before heading

back to A & A's.

Next stop Echuca and the Ashes...

Post soon!!!!

OBF's

We arrived up to Richard & Sandra's at Batemans Bay.

Next day we headed up the coast to North Head,

 and guess what was having a play just of shore.

Richard has been coming here for 20 years

 & never seen a whale that close.

On the way back to the highway was this great old shed.

From there it was up to Ulladulla for a lovely fish & chip lunch.

A bit of a wander around the harbour to snap a few shots.

And guess what was nearby, a lovely Z3...

Then from there up to Bannisters Mollymook...

This is Rick Steins' Australian Restaurant.

What a spot !!!!

Sadly or thankfully for the wallet it was only for coffee

Richard & I had an affogato..

Unbelievable & a view to boot.

And of course this "nipple" picture was a given!!