This fun filled Peacock Tale has the perfect blend of comradery, social gatherings, loads of laughter, sightseeing adventures and team building skills. A special time for Western Australian transplant recipients to come together and share a common bond, the gift of life.
Yallingup, where the fun begins
Setting off Friday morning, both Deb and I were excitedly anticipating the planned fun filled weekend that lay ahead of us. Rhian settled in the car; the trio of girls set off for Yallingup.
Arriving at Caves House and Seashells accommodation, we unpacked and settled into our holiday abode to be for the next four days.
Time for greet and meet
After a relaxing stroll through the magnificent grounds and heritage gardens, that Rhian thoroughly enjoyed exploring on a long lead, it was time for the official meet and greet.
Meeting at Caves House, there were just over one hundred recipients with friends or family, coming together to start the weekend off.
Finger foods, drinks, a vibe of chatter and laughs were the echoes of the sound that night. A mixture of old and new acquaintances was made, a vibrant and successful start was had.
Time for whale watching
After a hearty breakfast from the Caves House buffet, which was enjoyed by conversations with fellow recipients, it was time to do some whale watching.
Meeting at the Cape Naturalist Lighthouse, a large group of us were to follow the blue footprints path. This was a 2.4km loop that would take us down to observe some whales that were currently in this location. Rhian did an amazing job guiding me around the many jutting rocks that were quite tricky for even sighted people to traverse. There was a great deal of apprehension with me trekking along this path by people there, but Rhian did the most sterling work ever.
Reaching the viewing deck, people were excited with the glimpses of the whales that were in the vicinity.
On our return, Deb and I thought it would be a great idea to try and make our way to the lighthouse for some snappy photos for my blog. Now on the red footprint path, we set off on our own adventure.
Let me just say that it was definitely the road less travelled and no one else was encountered on our path. Jutting rocks, the direct heat of the sun overhead and at parts overgrown bushes nearly blocking our way.
Both of us wondering when this path would ever end, let alone we had completely lost sight of the lighthouse, eventually we came out at the carpark. We never got to the lighthouse but at that point neither Deb nor I cared!
Hot rocks to soothe the body
Our consolation prize for our arduous journey, was a relaxing hot stone massage, we had booked before coming down. The perfect ending to relax the mind, body, and soul. even Rhian agreed as she relaxed and let out some moans and sighs during the massage, which was accompanied with an amusing giggle by the masseuse! I did get a few reassuring licks on my face from underneath the table and arm as Rhian kept a check on me!
Dinner in the marquee
A stunning marquee was set up in the beautiful grounds for everyone to come together for a three-course set dinner. Elegant tables with all the finery were laid out for guests to enjoy the evening. Apart from the chilly wind that built up rapidly that afternoon, which did make it a little uncomfortable for many of us there, was a small price to pay for the comradery, laughs. Conversations and delightful food that was served.
Who’s good at mazes?
Sunday’s outing after another delicious smorgasbord breakfast, where you seem to eat far more than you would at home, was a trial by maze!
Gathering at the Yallingup Maze, we were timed in getting through the huge labyrinth. Deb and I teamed up with another fellow recipient to test our mind mapping skills in mastering the network of wooden walls and passageways.
Everyone there thought that Rhian would be an advantage, thinking a dog would be able to find her way out. Sorely disappointed with her lack in this skill set, she did however impress the person with us as she watched Rhian skilfully guide me clear of the many wooden walls and obstacles.
We finally made our way out, which was a relief to not only us humans but Rhian as well, I am sure!
A trip to Margaret River
Concluding the Maze event with a sausage sizzle and much chatter about the task of getting through the maze, Deb and I decided to head on down to Margaret River, a thirty-minute drive away. Deb hadn’t been there for over thirty years and was excited to see the much-changed hippy surfing town from years ago.
A stroll up and down the main street with its many quaint, unusual, and interesting shops filled in the afternoon.
Red, red wine.
After enjoying some much needed down time back at our apartment, we listened to the live music being played at the Caves House that echoed across to our balcony. Overlooking the fairy-tale like grounds, Trees filled with the sounds of birds singing to one another, especially first thing in the morning when all is quiet is simply heart-warming. Enjoying the relaxing sunny afternoon, we arranged to meet friends for dinner at Caves House.
I am going to shorten the transcription that would be needed to cover the comedy of errors, unfortunate mishaps and untimely events that occurred over our final gathering. What’s least to say is that the saying of red, red wine goes to my head is completely incorrect! An entire full glass went all over me, followed by another half a glass went over Debs and my dinner. Only to be followed by the lady sitting next to me had her full cup of tea knocked all over her saucer and table. Then if that was not enough my glass of gin and tonic was knocked without me knowing until I was nearly going to lean into the wet, soggy tablecloth in front of me!
Now, one would expect the affected person, namely me, to be cranky and annoyed. This however was far from the truth. Raptures of belly laughing, the accidental culprits involved laughed so much that one laughed until he cried. the best night any of us had experienced in a long time was had. Apart from me looking as if I was wearing a tied dyed outfit and feeling a bit wet and soggy, it made foe the most unforgettable evening ever!
All good things must come to an end
The much enjoyed and eagerly anticipated weekend where livers, kidneys, hearts, and lungs gather together had turned out be far better than one could ever imagine. The comradery, new friendships, exchanges of personal stories and the common shared feeling of gratitude had occurred. All of us looking forward to the next time we can all gather together once more was all in our thoughts. A huge thanks goes to everyone who was part of the organising and challenging work that went into creating and making possible this wonderful event. I know I am already looking forward to the next TAWA Getaway, whenever that may be.
Next time when we come together, I will tell the tale of the exciting experience I had celebrating the six-month countdown to the World Transplant Games here in Perth next year. So exciting it gave me ‘a vertigo experience’!
Love and laughter
Colleen Ashby
Great resources to investigate:
Diabetes Australia
Transplant Australia
visionaustralia.org
sed.visionaustralia.org
Donate life
Mental Health Australia
Beyond Blue