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Wood Family Summit, 2010

In 2010 we travelled to Melbourne (from Perth) for another family reunion. It was the second (or third if you include the Wood-Regalado 10 year anniversary) such event, the first being in Ulladulla in 2006. Here are some of the highlights.

	Day 1: March 27 It was the first ever flight for Jetson, and the first that Olive could remember. Thankfully Jetson had a good sleep for much of the flight, and Olive was so excited about it all she kept herself occupied too. It was a surprising arrival the Tiger Airways arrival terminal, we thought we had arrived in Asia. It was a challenge with two kids and all our luggage.
	Day 2 We were straight into the family catchup mode with a Mason family bbq at Edwardes Lake. There was a bigger turn out of the Mason clan than usual, it was great to catch up with Luke, Jimmy, Bec as well as the usual crew.
	Day 3 Rob had a meeting with Love Real Estate to discuss transferring our Melbourne investment property to them, which went well with a better deal for us.
	Day 4 It was raining and our morning catchup with Leanne was not looking promising. Thankfully on the drive to CERES the rain cleared and we had a lovely time catching up with her and some of her workmates. In the afternoon we dropped off Olive at Leanne's for a sleep over, and Clare took the opportunity to go to the movies and see Avatar.
	Days 5 We visited the Melbourne Zoo. highlights were the butterfly house and the baby elephant mali. Ali and Reggie came along too, but dad pulled the pin at the last minute.
	Day 6 Thursday 1 April Clare went to a catchup with a couple of the ladies from her old Mother's group in Fitzroy North. It was another catchup with old an old friend in the evening with dinner at Groove Train at the Docklands. Rob's old school mate Joe Kolenda owns the place and we had a great meal and reminisce.
	Day 7 Good Friday. It was a challenge to find a place open. We drove into Invanhoe and strolled up and down the street to find the best place to meet Lois and Wisey for lunch. It was a bit cool, but the courtyard at the back of one was the best for the kids.
	Day 8 Another sleep over for Olive at the Richards household. This way she would be able to wake up with her cousins on Easter morning. We took the opportunity to go out for a meal kid-less. We had a lovely Chinese-Malaysian meal in Mill Park.
	Day 9, April 4th Easter Sunday. Olive was collecting chocolate eggs at leanne's, while we enjoyed a quieter morning, and some eggs of our own from mum and dad.
	Day 10 We moved the visit of Gerald and Irene to the morning, so we could go to the footy in the afternoon. We saw an exciting game between Hawthorn and Geelong at the MCG. Thanks to Paul we got member's guest tickets, and thanks to Leanne we got better second level reserved seat.
	Day 11 A day trip to the city by train. It was school holidays, so there were plenty on offer for kids. Olive joined a circus skills workshop. We met Lois for lunch on our favourite food strip - the asia food restaurants at the top of Swanston St. It was a tiring day for Olive and Jetson, and at the end they were sleeping so we enjoyed the peacefulness with a traditional coffee in a busy Melbourne lane way. We came back to a busy house, preparing for Uncle John's traditional visit.
	Day 12, April 7th We picked up cousin Dan from the airport, then continued up to Echuca for the start of our reunion. Michael and family did not arrive until late in the evening.
	Day 13 We were very grateful to Peter and Penelope for bring their bikes. Everyone was having a loan. We ride the bikes into Echuca. It was a hard slog for Jacob who got a flat on the way and had to finished the ride with a very flat tyre. Olive was very excited about the horse and carriage on the main street, so Rob and her took a ride.
	Day 14 We drove into town for Coffee at a nice cafe in the historic port area, Wisteria. We continued the family gathering for lunch at the park by the Murray River, then in the evening we had the big family dinner at the Star Hotel in honour of mum and dad's 50th anniversary.
	Day 15 Mum slaved away most of the morning making a cake for Olive. After the birthday celebration, most of us went to play mini golf, only just making it before closing time.
	Day 16 It was pack up and say goodbye time, before everyone heading off their separate ways. We drove back to melbourne via Shepparton, and a play at the KidsTown playground, then a stop at Murchinson bakery for lunch.
	Day 17 We left what we thought was early for the airport. It was a rush to return our car and check in our excess gear. We made it just in time with help from mum who came out to see us off. Another pleasant flight back with the kids well behaved again.