think that the 2nd biggest highlight of our lives thusfar occurred in the late
evening of the 15 September 2008 (also the 8th anniversary of the Sydney 2000 Olympics opening ceremony, the top highlight of our lives) in a quiet, sleepy town in the far
off land of the Czech Republic. (To be honest, it is in the top 7
highlights for me but let's not spoil a good story.)
It all began one cold, rainy evening. The icy cold wind was howling
through the streets, bitting as it cut through any unprepared
travellers. The rain whipping at a frenzy back and forth like ping
pong balls in China. The streets were a wash with mud and water (road
works) and in amongst this, our 3 weary travellers returning from a
pleasant last meal before making the long and somewhat, less
trecharous journey to Vienna were squeezing in a final photo
opportunity.
As luck would have it, each of our brave travellers had protective
equipment for such conditions although a pair of wellies would have
been more than useful. Sadly though, this night would see the end of a
very trustworthy and loyal umbrella. And at €3.99, it was bound to
happen sometime.
On the final stretch before the safety of the inn, a sudden gust took
the first two umbrellas and gave them life....... As if possessed,
Trudy's water deflection device began to dance in and out, in and out
over and over and over again. Ben's umbrella (which cost him about the
same as a bottle of czech water or a little more then a Czech beer)
was not fairing too well either.
I had fallen behind at this stage and seeing the events taking place
just 10 metres ahead, raced up to offer my assistance. Actually, i
wanted to show my two companions that my umbrella was much better then
theirs and still in it's original shape. So I ran ahead laughing at
their misfortune. This is what good Australians do when their friends
are in trouble.
It was this point that events took a turn for the worst...... for me.
Maybe it was the great speed I was running or maybe just fate but
before I was 3 steps ahead, the same tragedy fell upon my umbrella.
But the worst was yet to come. As the umbrella twisted and turned it
broke free and lifted up and off it's handle, soaring into the sky
over the roof tops of this medieval town. Up, up it went. Like a
tartan UFO searching for a way back home.
Gravity soon took back control and threw the now lifeless mass of
metal and fabric back down to earth. A sad end for a trustworthy
companion.
R.I.P
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