The long lost Rellies

The long lost relatives arrived last Saturday after visiting the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock (Uluru) and spending some time in Adelaide. My brother-law, John and I drove to Melbourne airport to greet Lynette, her sister Kathy, and respective husbands, Steve and DT.


Part of the Kelly Gang - John, Kathy, Judy and Lynette after arriving in from Adelaide.



Lynette and Kathy's father was Australian and brother to Sue, John and Judy's Mum, and that's basically the tie-in.

And this time with Sue, less Kathy.

Lynette's husband Steve said she had been planning this for some time. Both John and Judy had visited the Virginia Beach relatives many years ago on their trips to the US but Sue had never met them previously.

Its amazing to see certain similarities in personalities and mannerisms with the women when deep in conversation. Expressions and laughter seem to mirror each other.

On their arrival Saturday, a welcome evening BBQ was arranged and everyone began to destroy many bottles of Australian wine as the night rolled on.

Some of the leftover debri - gosh they enjoy their red wine.

On the Sunday a "Kelly Gang' reunion was organised where more food and wine was consumed.

As Steve said, "I'm looking forward to returning to work for a holiday."

Tuesday after a lunch at Southbank on the Yarra river, they joined us for dinner where again many empty bottles of wine were thrown in the recycling bin. Sue made a beautiful meal with one of the best entrees I've had in awhile.

Sue explains dinner................

I split a ripe fig and a drizzle a little olive oil and balsamic, then popped in a wedge of blue cheese. A couple of minutes in the oven to melt the cheese and warm the fig, then I put on a little bit of rocket with a slice of proscuitto and another drizzle of balsamic vinegar reduced to a sticky syrup. It was yummo.

The Entree - extremely yummy.

Chermoula chicken with orange cous cous, a sweet chilli and yoghurt sauce and minted, honeyed carrots.

Then I made a "mangomisu". Think tiramisu without the coffee and coffee liqueur, and substitute mango and Cointreau. Fresh and nice.

From Left to right: Steve, Lynette, DT, Kathy and Sue.

It has been fabulous to meet and spend some time with our American cousins. The only sad thing is that we have just met them and they're flying home again. I guess it must be my turn to go there next. They're from Virginia Beach which sounds like a nice part of the world...and Kathy has offered to meet me in New York...mmm...sounds good.

Lynette presented us with one of her personal artworks which will remind us of their visit to Australia and "Melbourne our home". Her mother Peggy (also an Aussie by birth) is also an artist and kindly sent us two small prints of paintings she had done. So there is a bit of framing to be done in this household.

OK, we've been a little self indulgent this blog, but it was a special occasion - we'll be back to telling you more about Melbourne and its features soon.