We had planed to spend the day at home but Jamie rang to say he was taking Nera to the Anzac Day ceremony in Deloraine and would we like to go. Of course, we said yes. There is something comforting about an Anzac Day get-together in a country town which shouldn't be missed.
We arrived as the march down the Main Street was arriving at the cenotaph. Nera hurried over to where the elderly people from the nursing homes were seated and we found spots to stand where we could see and hear what was happening. Again, we were pleased to note that we knew the MC well, we recognised the tall fellow who plays the bagpipes every year, and every second face in the crowd was someone we could name. It's a good feeling to feel that we belong somewhere.
We enjoyed the Anzac Day address from a young, local woman who has just finished her initial army training, and the singing of the familiar hymns so it was a bit disappointing when the last post was played, even if it was by the same bugler who has played it for years. We finished with the National Anthem and the singer didn't forget to sing God Save the King, rather than what she has been singing for seventy years. A nice touch was that we finished with two or three verses of I Am, You Are, We Are Australian, accompanied by a didgeridoo. It was riveting. I've said it before, it ought to be the National Anthem.
After the crowd dispersed, Jamie drove us out to Devonport where we had lunch at a favourite restaurant and we called in to the Van Dieman's Land Creamery for an ice cream on the way home. Archie refused to try the fruity choices of the others and was only interested in my double scoop of Salted Caramel. He's a dog with taste.
No comments:
Post a Comment