I went to Adelaide for lunch today. Yes. I got up early, drove to the airport, got on the plane, did the easy sudoku in the magazine before take-off, read my book, landed, picked up the hire car and drove out to collect Geetangeli in North Adelaide.
All for lunch.
We then drove down to McLaren Vale, met up with my parents, where the three of them did a gin tasting (I had one gin and tonic - I was the driver and I'm not supposed to drink on the meds) Had some lunch, the did everything in reverse order, dropping Geetangeli back in North Adelaide, dropping off the hire car, getting back on a plane and going home. Okay, as I was on a Jetstar flight there was no sudoku to do. And as the cat had been by himself all day, I came back to a stroppy bugger because I was late home for dinner.
But I went to Adelaide for lunch.
Because I do stuff like this sometimes you need to do this for cherished friends, and Geetangeli is that.
We met at University College in 1986. Yes, we've known each other for the better part of 40 years. We talk online every few months, with the odd message going back and forth in between - normally concerning gin, good films, a local production of a play, great meals or other such things.
When we meet up in person, which happens once every year or so, it's like there's been no time in between - which I reckon is the standard for a great friendship.
So, when she said that she was going to be coming to Adelaide for a few days, we started plotting. Could she spare me a long lunch? Yes. How about we go down to the Never Never Gin Distillery in McLaren Vale? Absolutely. (There is a story around this which we like to tell - best gin in the world). Would she like it if my parents came along? Yes, please. My folks jumped at the chance to catch up.
Rather than stay in Adelaide for the night, arrange cat sitting and the rest of it, I booked the flight and hire car, worked out the timings, as both of us a bit anal about itineraries working, and it was all set.
It sounds a bit extravagant to hop on a plane and book a hire car all to go and have lunch. I will say that the flight was bought on frequent flyer points, keeping the costs down.
As far as I'm concerned, you don't place a cost of friendship. You have to work on them, tend and nurture them. If you can, you spend the money and take the time because the rewards come back to you tenfold.
P.S. It is also wonderful when you have friends who know you well and bring you things you can't get here. New Zealand gin and chocolate. I'm set! I love friends who know you well.
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