“Families are like fish – they go off after three days.”
So goes the old truism.
And, like any good truism, it’s as true now as it has ever been.
For a bit over a week we’ve been staying with my sister and brother-in-law.
Fortunately, they’ve converted pert of their house into a B and B which they’ve listed on airbnb.
This has proven to be a much better approach to downsizing than selling up and moving into a unit or apartment, which tends to be most people’s response to being empty-nesters.
Having three boys, a large house was necessitated for the purpose of retaining sanity (both for the parents and the children).
So, Jono and Michelle had quite a large home with just two people living in it.
Rather than relocate they divided the house into two separate (but connected by a lockable door), self contained sections.
The B and B part even has a large, private yard which enjoys lots of sun (but oddly not where the clothes line is – guess you can’t have everything).
In Perth’s winter (which it is now) it’s lovely sitting outside in the sun.
Because we’ve been staying in this part of the house it’s been a great way to stay with family.
We can have enough contact so that we enjoy being together but enough privacy so that we aren’t living in each other’s pockets all the time.
Mind you, this is for two weeks only and I think that’s probably the limit – the three days principle still applies but it just has a bit longer for the impact to kick in.
Probably the only downside has been Sancho.
Jono’s rule for the B and B is “no pets”.
Since we’re family we get a bit of leeway but, as you know, Sancho is a “mature” gentleman.
Being 15 you would be justified in sometimes thinking he’s a “grumpy old man” especially when young puppies are around.
Jonno and Michelle have a very young dog who they are justifiably sensitive about, especially as he’s just been desexed.
When we arrived he still had the bucket on his head but fortunately that came off after a few days.
Anyway, he (Charlie) and Sancho get on very well (MOST OF THE TIME).
There are, however, moments when Charlie can get a bit boisterous and Sancho has no compunction when it comes to letting him know how he feels about that.
Consequently, there have been a couple of episodes where Sancho has found himself slightly wearing out his welcome.
The fascinating thing is, he knows exactly when he’s in trouble and he has quite a remorseful look.
That’s quite an achievement considering dogs aren’t supposed to have control of facial muscles and so aren’t able to show emotions (whoever came up with that idea clearly has never met Sancho).
There is also the question as to whether his look is one of remorse about what he did or an “oh bugger, I got caught” look – they are very similar even in humans so what chance does a dog have?
Anyway, we got through one week with family and have managed to stay friends.
Also, Danita and I have been able to keep working, mainly by leaving all our clocks on Sydney time and getting up at, what the locals would consider, very silly hours.
One more week to go (ie eight sleeps but who’s counting) and then we’re back to Melbourne for a one day stopover and then we’re finally heading for Tassie – I think I might be starting to get excited (but I’m not really sure – need to keep checking in on that one.)
So – if you’re planning to visit Perth, remember to check out Jomi’s (Jonno and Michelle) B and B.
It’s listed on airbnb but if you get in touch with them directly and mention Laurence and Danita I’m sure you’ll be able to make SPECIAL arrangements.