03/12/2025 The Hotel California… you can check out but you can never leave

It’s my last day at  Scarborough Beach and the Hotel California (Indian Ocean hotel)

I wanted to make the most of it. My cunning plan was to go to the beach,  ‘walk’  the esplanade, on an e-scooter so I could go further then get back to the Hotel to check out and be collected by Mamma Kay.  Before I  could do any of that I had a very important job to do!!! I’d done some washing in the shower and hung it out on the line in the balcony to dry. When I was packing yesterday I forgot about it and when I drew the curtains this morning saw my now dry laundry hanging there. Not a big problem except for the fact that my favourite pair of knickers were missing.  No sign of them anywhere so further investigations and searches were undertaken. I peered over the side balcony, and there they were, my favourite knickers three floors down, in front of a car. FFS.

Knowing where they were now located, I padlocked my Sturdy backpack, loaded it into Mildred, left the room and headed downstairs. I greeted the receptionist, then scuttled around the side of the hotel to pick up my knickers thinking at 0500hrs I’d be able to retrieve them unnoticed. To my disgust , there was a couple sitting outside their room having a cuppa, right behind the bush my underwear was located in front of. I scooped up the offending knickers, stuffed them in my pocket , gave the couple

a little wave and scuttled off. Muttering under my breath. 

With them now safely in my pocket,  I cut through the Thirsty Camel Drive through to get to the beach. 

I had my trainers on my sunburnt trotters to protect them, and wasn’t going to sit on the beach today. I just wanted to take a few pics of the area. A yoga class was in progress on the grass above the beach, the pool was open and full of people and a big tractor drove up and down the beach clearing up the seaweed.  All before 0600hrs. 

I abandoned the e-scooter idea, losing enthusiasm and opting to walk instead and stop to admire the view from the many seats along the way.  As I walked along the beach, I can e upon this sight, I think he waa a alive and has been there awhile I think, the birds were right at home helping themselves to his crumbs! And I thought my life was in a bad way…

I stopped for some brekkie in the ‘Little Wave’  which was bloody good.  Si would have had the Rosti for sure, which made me cry because he would have enjoyed every single morsel . I had what appeared to be half a dozen scrambled eggs on a plate with sourdough. They didn’t make me cry, but I failed to finish them as there was so much. Also, crunchy sourdough = shredded mouth. School girl error. FFS. 

I bumbled along the esplanade taking my photos before making my way back to the hotel. I checked out and went and took a few pics of the hotel to be stacked away into my memories for later.  Si dying has hammered home the importance of taking photos and preserving the memories. One day that’s all you have left and if you’ve not taken many then you have less to cling to.  

Mamma Kay picked me up and we loaded all my kit into her car ready for phase two of the adventure. Staying with Julie. We were off for morning tea first and arrived at Hilary’s to find Jim’s two brothers and his friend at the table already. Since Jim died they’ve met up with Kay every Wednesday without fail to laughed and talkabout Jim and recall funny stories. Huw lost his wife to dementia 6 months ago so in a weird way it’s nice to be with people who are in this same awful club that none of us wants to be in. They are all in their 70’s and 80’s but very young at heart and extremely fit and active still . There is an awful lot to be said for the Australian lifestyle. Kay’s mum was driving until she was 97 and she died just short of her 101 birthday. 

Morning tea was a tonic after my solitary breakfast . They went out of their way to Include me in the conversation and invited me to go and see the Terracotta warriors that are on display in the Perth museum. Si and I went in September 2018 I had to check back through my phone, I had a niggle of info rumbling around in my brain that I’d seen them but couldn’t remember if it was them or King Tut.. Turns out we saw them both. I think it would be nice to go with them and see them again, like a walk down memory lane with Si. Besides there’s tea and florentines before hand, that’s a win right there. Clearly we needed lunch after morning tea, so called in to Warwick for a salad bowl. Go me with my healthy eating. Even the Florentines were full of fruit. 

After a lovely couple of hours we returned to Kay’s and watched one of hers and Jim’s favourite films. Seven brides for seven brothers, I remember watching it with them both years ago on one of my visits, and it was nice for Kay to enjoy it with company. 

I’ve realised today I gravitate to this neck of the woods after huge life changing events, both good and the not so good . I don’t know if it’s a conscious or subconscious choice but it seems to be where I come to lick my wounds and also where I can truly celebrate the wonderful stuff. Australia, and Perth in particular, has always held place in my heart, right from my very first visit. I felt I was somewhere I belonged.  I’m so happy and grateful Simon and I got to see so much of this beautiful country of contrasts together, and because everything is continually changing, it always seems new and different, even the places I’ve been before. I was able to show him my happy place, and he totally understands the connection. I think right now the biggest realization is that it is something no one can ever take away from me. It’s forever ours. It is something that only Si and I experienced and shared,  our lived reality if you like.. Whilst I wrote about the trip on the blog sharing anecdotes, the memories that are flashing back for me most strongly are the really precious ones. His laughter, the look on his face when he saw things that impressed him, the feel of his hand in mine as we walked the beach at sunset. His arms around me as we sat on the damp sand waiting for the sunrise, The way he looked at me with that beautiful little smile and expression of complete and utter contentment. That side of him that was mine alone, and that’s what no one can ever take away from me. It utterly kills me he’s not here walking beside me but, the frequency and clarity of the memories invading my whole being are  bringing me a tiny bit of peace amongst the pain, chaos and tears. So I guess Australia is once again working her magic on me. Gently and sometimes not so gently, She’s allowing me to sit in the quiet and be with Simon in the only way that’s left, through our memories without the distraction of everyday life. I now know New Zealand and Fiji will be the same. Nothing but time to sit quietly, remembering and reflecting without any distraction. Painful but simply precious at the same time, and a privilege to be able to embrace the memories of such an incredible man so fully. Without the noise and demands

Fuck me it’s bloody hard though and I do wonder if I have enough strength to get through the rest of my life without him. 

Anyway enough of that you’re here for the enjoyable bits but the depressing stuff. Sorry!!  

Julie had finished work and we met her at home, caught up on our days and ate dinner. Tasty Chicken and salad, see? Even more healthy eating. I’m not so sure about the little chocolate covered profiteroles but they were only tiny. I mean they were less than a mouthful so practically invisible. 

Seems I fell asleep on the settee as next thing I knew Julie is gently shaking me awake and sending me to bed !  I’m hoping now that I'm out of the hotel I’ll sleep a bit better , I already feel more safe, secure and less anxious for not being there, which is strange as I thought the hotel was ok.   Although the noisily shaggers next door were something of an irritation and I won’t miss them at all.

Much Love 

Mrs Leonard

X