Monday 19th October

“In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.”

And some of those infinitely precious things are the memories that we have of you.

I came across this photograph the other day of you and your brother, along with myself and my mum. You were five or six years old then.
We were on our Christmas holiday in New South Wales, Australia, and had driven to Pebbly Beach in Murramarang National Park.

Pebbly Beach, NSW

We had read about this beach in guidebooks, but wanted to see if was true that kangaroos actually lived there on the sands. (Some say that the kangaroos supposedly go surfing, but I think that is taking things a little too far.)

I remember driving down a steep and narrow, winding, bumpy track, eventually parking the car and walking over the grass towards the beach.

And yes, we did see a large group of kangaroos, and some were very tame, allowing themselves to be petted and fed apples.
You and your brother thought this was quite magical, seeing these animals in their natural habitat, and not just on the television or in a zoo. You were not afraid, and did touch the fur of one of these marvellous creatures.

From then on, one of your favourite story books became ‘Dot and the Kangaroo’, written in 1899 by Ethel C Pedley. You loved the whole series, and collected not just the books, but the toys and videos too. (The books are still upstairs in your bedroom.)

So, sweet dreams my Angel, as you play in the outback with Dot and the Kangaroo.

Miss you.
Love you.
xxxx