Family Affairs and other matters

I am absolutely dreading tomorrow. I am having to do one of those things you simply have to do as a mother, even though you don’t want to. Like changing a nappy or wiping up sick or picking them up from a party…..

I am going with my daughter on a tour of the Neighbours set. To Ramsay Street and then somewhere else. WHAT a nightmare. I don’t even watch the programme. I used to years ago and that is why I understand her excitement and obsession and have booked us on to the tour. I used to watch Neighbours when I lived in Melbourne 15 years ago. I was addicted then and I did find out where Ramsay Street was and drove out there with some overseas visitors (in fact it was an ex-girlfriend of my husband’s who had recently become a lesbian with her young girlfriend). There was nothing to see though. This time it’s different. It’s all changed. You get to be escorted out there in a huge embarrassing coach AND you get to meet a real life Neighbours star “past or present”. Apparently.

I told my daughter that it better be Kylie Minogue, or at a push Danni or Jason Donavon. That’s it. Otherwise I’ll be disappointed.

My daughter is positively beside herself with excitement. Here was the conversation I had with her walking along the beach yesterday:-

“mum, this is like SO exciting I can’t believe it, I’ve Facebooked F and she is like totally jealous – first she told me I was lying as like there was NO WAY I could really be doing that in real life and now she’s just SO jealous she can’t believe it and even her mum is too. It’s already great because I know the story line THREE months in advance now, so I can tell her loads of stuff. She told me though that Katie Price is in Melbourne and that maybe she’ll be there. She’s like making a guest appearance, probably at Charlie’s – mum can you believe she’s ACTUALLY in Melbourne – Perez Hilton says and he knows everything. I wonder if Peter Andre knows she’s here. He’s from here you know…

Mum, who do you think we might meet tomorrow. I hope it’s not someone too old. I’ve been watching for like ages, but still, I hope it’s bla (can’t remember) because he’s REALLY good looking or bla (can’t remember) because she’s SO sweet or bla (can’t remember) because although she’s dead she’s a really good actress and her baby is still alive. Maybe we could meet her baby – she’s really sweet. She’s called India. Do you know why? Because when they were discussing places to go and then said India it was the only time she stopped crying. It might be Summer or Steph or I wonder if it will be bla (can’t remember) although he’s got amnesia and then actually I do interject with the bit about Susan and her having amnesia all those years ago and she was amazed….and now Susan’s got MS apparently. We both agreed that Carl would do. We both know him.

My friend thinks it’s hysterical. She said “every day I go for a walk with the dog and see that dreadful coach go by and now next time you are actually going to be on it!!”.

Anyway. How lovely to be so enthusiastic about something. My friend can’t believe how excited she is. Secretly I’m really looking forward to it. They’re on episode 5000 and something now and will be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year so they must be doing something right to still be reeling those young viewers in.