It was a privilege to meet @Robin4 as he was passing through to South Australia from visiting his daughters for early Christmas, birthday and a surprise wedding.
It felt as if we were friends and hadn't seen each other for years. but my friendship has been across the internet via Zoom or reading his interesting articles or reading his advice to others with his wisdom and experiences.
Our intentions were to have a coffee, but I put on a light lunch for the traveller Robin.
While Robin was here, I thought I would ask how to translate Airbnb messages on my phone. And received a lesson Updating and reprogramming my phone but still no success.
The photo below shows my eagerness to learn.
It was time for Robin to leave and be on his way. So of course, the last photo below in extreme heat.
Airbnb has shown me that you can make a friendship over the waves that continue and turn into realality.
Now come on @Laurelle3 , it wasn't just a light snack, a spread like that would not have been out of place in the Ritz!
I felt so humbled as the food and freshly made coffee just kept on coming out!!!
It was an absolute joy to spend an hour or two with you and Alex, what a wonderful couple you are, I felt an instant bond with Alex and to see through your Airbnb cottage and the loving way you prepare it for your guests and your attention to detail.....you provide an experience beyond compare Laurelle, you are an absolute hosting role model.
If there was a downside to the experience, my throat was seriously challenged!!!
As Laurelle has said, for the past 3 weeks I have been over on the East Coast for my eldest daughter, (Sarah's) 50th birthday celebration. It was an amazing event attended by more than 140 friends and relatives. One couple even flew in from the US for the evening!
But there was a secret agenda! Half way through the evening the veils and the wedding celebrant suddenly appeared and our Sarah and her partner Lisa got married. It was a total shock for most in the venue.
The love and joy in that room that evening was overwhelming.
I of course had to give my daughter away as 'Father of the Bride'........a duty which I had not actually contemplated sharing with another dad. But then again I had never really thought I would come across another farther who had as much love for his daughter as I had for mine! But there we were and I was as proud as punch to be where I was.
So, at the appropriate moment, to bring an aire of formality to the occasion, I stripped off my shirt to reveal my Tuxedo T shirt!
Wedding speeches are always a bit problematic! You never know what skeletons in the closet are going to be revealed! But I know how to handle these situations! I subscribe to the 3G principal.
Get the audience attention......Get to the point.....Get off!! I had rehearsed it for weeks and along with a few tears it got roars of laughter.
We all had the most wonderful evening but, it has taken 2 weeks for my throat to recover and Laurelle and Alex had to put up with a couple of coughing fits which I am sure made them feel a bit uncomfortable.
Laurelle, thanks so much for your incredible hospitality, with your permission I am going to make this a regular addition to my trips to the East Coast. You and I, we are the essence of Airbnb!
Cheers.........Rob.
