The Roxbury

Saturday night we were out supporting Archie at his gig.  He was performing at the Roxbury Hotel in Glebe and he did a 45-minute set with his mandolin player and a double bass player singing some covers and some of his own original songs.

Two loving siblings

Through the week we hadn’t seen much of Archie.  If he wasn’t at uni he was rehearsing somewhere but was never at home.  Early Friday evening he breezed in with his mate, Phil and they were in quite a hurry.  They had just enough time to give the fridge a good work-out then rummage through the pantry and fill his ballooning bag with high calorie goods.  He let me know he wouldn’t be home that night because he’d be rehearsing and ‘mum, it could go ’till late.  I might stay at Phil’s or maybe with Webb.  But I’ll be back tomorrow so I can have a shower and get changed for the gig’.


‘Oh, okay then.  Well have a good time and I hope it all goes well.  Can you give me a call in the morning?’  And Archie promised he would.

But he didn’t.  At around 5pm I called him and he was in a flap because one of the band members he was meant to be rehearsing with hadn’t yet turned up and Archie had waited all afternoon for them.  Now there wasn’t time to come home.  He would have to go straight to the gig.  ‘But what about a shower Archie?’

‘It’s okay mum, don’t worry.  I’ll have one here, at Phil’s.’

‘Well do you want me to come to the Roxbury early so I can bring you a change of clothes?’

‘No, I’ll be fine.  I think Phil’s lending me a shirt’.  Marvelous.  I have nothing at all to worry about.

So Carl and I headed out with Arabella and we found Archie backstage looking not too bad.  We organised a water for him and he headed to the stage.  Not wanting to be too obvious, Carl and I showed some restraint and sat at in a blacked out corner at the back of the venue.  We saw Archie had a lot of mates in the audience who were all really supportive and enthusiastic.  The show was wonderful and I have a few snaps that are very tragic but it does let you know we were there in the role of supportive parents.

Archie on stage

After the show Archie let me know he wouldn’t be coming home.  ‘Mum, we’re going out for a few drinks and we’ll be home later.  But then I may not be home because it could be late.  I could end up at Phil’s or Webb’s.  But I’ll call you.’

And Archie didn’t come home and he didn’t call.

Want to keep in touch?  Join the fun on the Hotly Spiced Facebook Page! 

 

 

Comments

  1. Jenny @ BAKE says:

    you must be so proud! looks like it was a lovely night!

    http://www.bake-online.co.uk

  2. What?!?! You sat in a back corner, thus not on the front row standing, clapping, and cheering with a “That’s my son” sign on your back! I’m sure Archie appreciated your attendance and not being front and center. 🙂

  3. niasunset says:

    Oh dear Charlie, they never remember to call us 🙂 My son, he is same too! And I call him always… Your photographs showing us, what a great night you all had… He is very handsome! I am sure his performance was good at the stage too. Blessing and Happiness to you all, Thanks and Love, nia

  4. Your children are gorgeous! The not calling is beginning to stress me, especially after what happened in Kings Cross recently. He must know that you worry, it’s impossible not to these days. I think if I come to Sydney I might not need a hotel.. I could just show up at Webb’s because he seems to always have a spare bed. 🙂

  5. Well, we’re supposed to nurture them, then trust we did a good job and let them go. It’s hard, isn’t it? Think you were smart to be supportive in the background.
    Cute kids and talented too!

  6. Norma Chang says:

    You are such an understanding Mom.

  7. You guys are the most amazing supportive parents and what gorgeous talented kids you have raised and are raising. You should totally give yourself a massive pat on the back hun – you have well and truly earned it. xx

  8. Your children are so talented!

  9. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says:

    You must be so proud of him Charlie! And Arabella is the spitting image of you! 😮

  10. Typical boys. Do they ever call when they say they’re going to? But yay for the show being awesome!

  11. A_Boleyn says:

    It’s hard not to worry when they don’t call. I know you don’t want to be a nagging mother but it must be hard. I’m glad the gig went well and you managed to hide yourself in a dark corner so as not to be too obvious. 🙂

    http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/

  12. Victoria at Flavors of the Sun says:

    You must be so proud of Archie–as you are of Alfie and Arabella. Cute, cute kids–each one. Boys! They just don’t get how important it is to us as parents to communicate and not leave the worst to our imagination!

  13. Mandy - The Complete Cook Book says:

    Beautiful shot of your 2 eldest together. Not that it is any consolation BUT at least Archie comes home when he is hungry, even though he empties the fridge and pantry.

  14. I loved seeing the photos of your kiddies;) So grown up and excited about life! It’s fun having older children I think! Whenever I’m graced with their presence, that is;)

  15. Reem | Simply Reem says:

    It is a beautiful experience to see kids grown up and doing great… That what we parent want .. right and you have done a wonderful job… You must be one proud mama..
    Beautiful pics

  16. Maybe if you take him the vet, they can put one of those tracking devices in him? 🙂

    Great to hear that the gig went well! I can see Archie being very famous one of these days, and his fans flooding your blog for information on his naughty past. (“Can you believe he once had his tackle out in front of his boarding house master?! And he never, ever rang his mother…oooh..”). 😀

    xxx

  17. You do have your challenges with your children, Charlie, I do feel for you. Hopefully one day when they have children of their own, they will appreciate how it made you feel.
    Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com

  18. i’m scared of my kids growing up! at the moment i just go watch my hubby play gigs (hes a drummer!)

  19. YAY the gig went well and Archie sure looks pretty good 🙂 that is a little scary though how Archie doesn’t come home and doesn’t call because naturally you’ll be worried. My friend just introduced me to a new iphone application called Find My Friends where you can track them where they are using their iphone just so you don’t need to call but will be able to find out where they are 😀

  20. At least when he does a gig you get to see him for a little while!
    Glad it was a success.

  21. in less than 2 more years and my boy will be driving! AAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH 🙂

  22. SnapsandBits says:

    Thanks for visiting my blog. I thought I commented earlier but can’t find it (too much wine?). What a rock star! I can’t get my link to work in the comments with disqus but it’s below, just in case.

    http://www.snapsandbits.com

  23. Congratulations to Archie! I would be in a flap if I went from a delayed rehearsal with a borrowed shirt to the gig in question, but then I am never going to be suited to stage business. He seems a natural 🙂

  24. Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious says:

    Oh my gosh… how fast kids grow. I feel like it was just yesterday I was pregnant with my daughter, she’s now 2…:-) Soon she’ll be in kindergarten.

  25. ChopinandMysaucepan says:

    Dear Charlie,

    Archie and Arabella are such gorgeous looking! Pretty good genes I suspect and talented on stage too, Congrats!

  26. I think it’s so cool you support him. My dad would have gone through the roof if I’d followed my passion like that!

  27. Suzanne Perazzini says:

    Great looking kids. I love the circular nature of your story.

  28. InTolerantChef says:

    I wonder if Phil or Webb’s mothers have the same problem? I had an eleveno clock curfew until the day I was married and stuck to it- but I also had no car or access to public transport 🙂

    • hotlyspiced says:

      I remember the curfew days. I don’t think my teenagers understand that word. The problem with Phil is that he’s left home and is renting an apartment in Kings Cross. The problem with Webb is that he is from the country and is living in an apartment while going to uni. Can you just picture it! xx

  29. ChgoJohn says:

    You’ve got 2 good looking kids there, Charlie. And pretty good ones, at that. They’re lucky, too, to have 2 such supportive parents.

    • hotlyspiced says:

      Thanks John. You’re so kind to say that when the photo is so awful. I really must stop taking photos with my phone! Mind you – I didn’t take that shot. It was taken by one of my daughter’s friends – You get what you pay for! xx

  30. Oh dear heavens, I thought I was past this at 25, but your children are so ridiculously attractive I think I’d be too intimidated to talk to them. Darn you resurgence of teenage angst! 😉

    • hotlyspiced says:

      It’s very kind of you to say they are attractive when that photo is so appalling. I nearly didn’t post it because it is so grainy and horrid but I was limited with choice! xx

  31. foodrehab says:

    haha kids will be kids. Raining mum’s pantry then head out with the mates! I did the same LOL Don’t worry, they’ll always be back for dinner.

  32. Juliana says:

    Charlie, your kids are very good looking…and charming. I am glad that the gig went well…and kids will be always kids 😉
    Have a great week!

  33. Yay for Archie *fan girls* 😛
    So awesome that his gig went well! And my mum can relate to you – my brother and I always forget to call her about our plans 😉 – oops!

    Cheers
    CCU

  34. Juliet Batten says:

    What a handsome pair the siblings are. Despite Archie’s casual attitude, I’m sure he appreciates you and will always remember your support in later years.

  35. Glamorous Glutton says:

    How wonderful to be there to support your children. I find good food brings them back regularly and of course you can offer plenty of that. The not phoning is disconcerting, the Glam Teens do this too. A text is often manageable : ) GG

  36. GourmetGetaway says:

    LOL!! I have a teenager who is exactly the same!! At least he invites you to the gigs 🙂 Oh, and you know he’s eating 😉

  37. Minnesota Prairie Roots says:

    Ah, boys. I am wondering if my 18-year-old will answer any of my calls or reply to my texts once he is five hours away at a North Dakota university. He leaves in less than a month.

  38. The Café Sucré Farine says:

    We definitely need to learn to let-go when they grow up, don’t we? It’s hard but I guess the whole goal of having kids is to raise them to be independent adults, I so often lost sight of that. Archie will appreciate you so much more as the years pass – I’ve learned this from experience!

  39. Sweet Posy Dreams says:

    Oh yes, they grow up. I called our son one weekend when we’d been out of town a few days. He could barely stay on the phone long enough to say everything was fine.

  40. justonecookbook says:

    Aww.. I am definitely learning a lot about what to expect in the future with my children by reading your posts. I’m sure part of you are happy that he’s doing great and so independent but part of you still want to enjoy the time with him and as a mom how can you not to worry about anything, right? I need to enjoy every moment with my 6 year old and 4 year old kids. Already 6 yo is becoming so independent that he doesn’t need me around all the time. I hope we can continue having some fun times together but one day I have to let go despite my wish… You must be very proud of Archie! Your two children look gorgeous!

  41. SarahKate (Mi Casa-Su Casa) says:

    Awwww… you’re such a good mum! Good on Archie for being super brave and getting up on stage. And good on you for not freaking out when you didn’t hear from him! I hope that some day I’ll be as laid-back a mum as you are!

  42. yummychunklet says:

    Ha! Why am I not surprised that you received no phone call. He looks great up there!

  43. Jed Gray (sportsglutton) says:

    You’re such a supportive mom Charlie and I’m quite sure Archie appreciates everything you do. 🙂

  44. I have a strong suspicion that with Archie’s talents you may have many more such nights…and not coming home incidents! I love the photos and know you and Carl must be so very proud, as you should be! 🙂

  45. I think he’s destined for big things…and there will be one great mom behind him all the way. 🙂

  46. What beautiful kids! And how much fun it must have been to sit in the crowd and watch him perform, but even better yet, see everyone else’s responses. What a naughty boy for not calling his mother! I can’t stand it when my son doesn’t call when he says he’s going to. Will we ever stop worrying?

Leave a Reply to Jed Gray (sportsglutton) Cancel reply

*