That was not the only time Lady Bridget and McKeith met on Mrs Gildea's veranda.

In fact, Biddy, reminiscent of wild sea-excursions along the shore by Castle Gaverick, developed a passion for what she called tame boating on the Leichardt River.

She found a suitable skiff in the boat-house--the Government House grounds sloped to the water's edge, and would row herself up and down the river reaches.

It was easy to round the point, skirt the Botanical Gardens, and, crossing above the ferry, land below Mrs Gildea's cottage, then climb up the bank and enter by a lower gate to the garden.

Thus she would often turn up unexpectedly of mornings for a chat with her friend in the veranda study.
At this time, Colin McKeith contracted a similar habit.