Hello Louise, I remember doing the trip a few years back to my paternal grandparents home in Pendle Hill for the first time in forty years. It is still occupied by a family member so I was able to see the inside and it has not fared well. What a shock, I am sure it was not so small when I lived there for a few months at age 5. The old ice chest I remember is long gone, as is the coolgardie from the back porch, but the old "Metters" fuel stove is still there although sadly neglected, and the same huge elaborate old dresser is still taking up a whole wall in the extra large kitchen. The same old table stands in the middle of the kitchen where I remember all the kids (myself included) being stood up in a basin for the full suds bath - I still remember how embarrassed I used to be. The old dark wood four poster bed is gone along with the wonderful old eiderdown, and I'm sure the chamber pot is also missing from under it, although I didn't check. The cement rendered front verandah is still there, where all the old family photos were taken. Yes, It really is an emotional undertaking this family history isn't it? Yvonne (also an expatriate from Sydney living in Melbourne for the last forty years). -----Original Message----- From: aus-nsw-sydney-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:aus-nsw-sydney-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Louise Reynolds I was unprepared for the waves of emotion and nostalgia. My old home looked like crap...it was never a good house, but my parents had it always painted, with well kept garden and a bit of pride about it. Very disappointing.