Fine Friends

Today is my last day spent with the Kellett’s. I have totally appreciated their hospitality and generosity during my time in the UK.

Bron and I have been the dearest of friends for 15 years and she is a shining light in my life. We first met in 1997 when we were both Outdoor Adventure Guides for Tasmanian Expeditions in Launceston. It was a wonderful time of our lives – working in some of Tasmania’s pristine wilderness areas, meeting new friends from all over the country and travelling overseas in our off-season.

Bron even moved in with me and my brother Greg, when I was living on our family farm at Hagley. We always had many and varied friends turn up in their vans and stay for a night or two (or three). Bron and I were both going through a ‘hippie phase’ at the time and I think we brought great entertainment to my very ‘rural’ brother. Greg was very perplexed with Bron’s fashion choices, particularly her Op Shop orange woollen blanket skirt, complete with fringing detail!

I was redecorating the cottage that we lived in, and for some unknown reason I chose very bright colours for all the rooms, including oranges, reds and pinks! No doubt inspired by some recent Asian adventure.

Bron moved to Victoria and worked as a teacher for many years after her time in Tasmania, but each year we would devote a bushwalk together. We have both experienced some amazing adventures including: Mt Anne, The Western Arthurs, Federation Peak (failed attempt to summit due to bad weather), The Walls of Jerusalem and The South Coast Track in Tasmania. We have canoed in Croajingolong National Park in Victoria when Bron was working at Marshmead with the Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC). We travelled to the Kimberley and worked for a short time as Camp Cooks at El Questro Station in WA. We have also had many urban adventures in Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart.

Bron met her Irish fella Jerome in Melbourne, and since their wedding in early 2007 they have been living in the UK.

Our friendship is one that I truly value – even though we haven’t spent much time together over those years, we have both made a commitment. We were bridesmaids for each other and she is Poppy’s Godmother. We have had many international ‘phone dates’ over the years, which can be quite tricky with the time difference and when Skye is not behaving.

I have loved seeing her become a mother to their two beautiful boys – Chester and Owen. She is such a good mum! They are in the process of returning back to Australia in September which is quite a mammoth task for them. It has been so wonderful to spend quality time together in their ‘Northern’ homeland. I have especially loved sharing the Olympics with them and specifically Jerome’s excellent sporting knowledge (Go Wiggo)!

Selfishly, I am really looking forward to her being a little closer to home and I can’t wait for her to meet Poppy.

Today, I had a little moment as we were walking along New Bond Street (home to the most elegant and expensive shops in London) – I just love her and I am glad that we have both moved on from our ‘hippie phase!’ xx