Back in Broome

It is good to be back in Broome again... six years on!

Cairns

Figured it was time to introduce our three to the North East of Australia, so a week in Cairns has seen them enjoy the Great Barrier Reef... Caleb and Rachel tried out scuba diving, while Sam explored the beauty through a snorkel. The sea was like glass - couldn't have asked for better weather.

Caleb

Rachel

Sam (on the left)

And this is what we looked like above the water...

Six days in Paris

The Lonely Planet guide suggests that you will never see snow in Paris in January. Wrong! We have enjoyed six wonderful days in Paris, baptised in snow when we arrived, and salted two or three more times. We have stayed in an apartment at the foot of the Sacre Couer, which has been perpetually visible from our bedroom and lounge room windows, a wonderful base from which to explore the many wonders of the city, beginning at the Champs Elysees, and embracing L'Arche de Triomphe, the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Luxemburg Gardens, Notre Dame... have I forgotten something... the Seine, not to mention Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge, and the Eiffel Tower. We have found the Paris Metro system to be most efficient and effective in getting around Paris - and hope they can add some of that to Melbourne's trains. The underground systems in Rome, Paris and London are fantastic, and leave Melbourne for dead - oh how it would be to see something like it at home.

Our French has improved, and our appreciation for French culture and cuisine - and as a consequence, our own in Australia - has grown. We leave Europe with many wonderful memories and tales, and look forward to returning home having enjoyed the European cool while Melbourne has sweltered. Perhaps we might be better conditioned to endure a few more hot days.

When we get home, we'll sift through and post some photos of the trip. It's been full and fun, with not much time to blog.

One for the story books

Our last day in Rome proved to be most eventful, arriving at the airport just after 7 am for our 9.40 flight to Paris. We suspected there might be difficulties arriving in Paris on time due to forecast snow, but weren't prepared for the sudden evacuation of Ciampino airport just as we were sitting with a relaxing coffee with Mauro. We were left standing out in the airport car park as a succession of emergency vehicles arrived, and we were slowly pushed further back. A young man stepped into a flack vest and other protective gear, and was ushered into the airport, surrounded by firemen who didn't seem too keen to join him. After 10 minutes a loud explosion was heard, and we were soon readmitted to the smells of gunpowder. We were to learn later that someone had left a suitcase unattended, and it was exploded.

But the day didn't end there, as we suffered a succession of delays as flights into and out of Paris were held up as work proceeded to open the airport. The delay allowed time to catch up with Marco, who worked nearby and was able to come to the airport. In coping with long and unexplained delays it helped to have a friend like Mauro (who works at the airport), who was able to tell us that the flight was on its way from Paris, and we had a slot allocated for take-off - some four and a half hours later than scheduled.


Our arrival into Paris revealed a white city... snow cover by the runways was about four inches deep, so it had been heavy. Our journey to the apartment took us past the lights of the city... a tantalising taste of what is to come.


Our apartment in Paris has spectacular views of the Sacre Couer from our windows...

Backtrack - Edinburgh

We just finished a Skype call with Alex and Sheila in Edinburgh. Seems that the snow has been continuing to all in liberal amounts since our departure. What was spectacularly beautiful for us has continued into a laborious stretch for those who live there. Another blizzard there today while we have enjoyed some samples of all different sorts of weather. Each place we visited in Scotland gave us more reasons for wishing we had many more weeks to explore

Sam enjoyed this climb up the Blackford Hill with his Great Uncle Alex and was enthralled with the amazing view for their effort.

Edinburgh was marked with great meal times shared with Alex and Sheila, who were our wonderful hosts, and another meal at Jim and Maisie's. Exploring Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyrood House and the Golden Mile, Princes Street and Jenner's (which is there in name only these days), while the snow gently fell was a picture come alive. Edinburgh has a unique beauty and charm which is enhanced with a light snow cover, and given depth by the relationships we share with family. We had been well-prepared by our days in Helsinki, which didn't prove to be the coldest after all, though the hats and scarves obtained there gave warmth and protection. Our time in Edinburgh was split into two tranches, separated by a sojourn to Drumnadrochit on the edge of Loch Ness, returning via Glasgow, but this will have to wait til another post before updating. Just a couple of photos to give a flavour of the experience...

A long way in a short time

We've been having so much fun that there's not been much time to update the travels... And trying to type on the small netbook keyboard is an anatomical challenge for someone with hands my size. We are currently in Florence, having left Venice this afternoon. Spending new year in Venice was truly amazing (even if I did hear an American tourist complaining about there being so much water in the city!) We were privileged with a spectacular view of the fireworks over the Grand Canal which left us all in awe.


Though the water levels in the city made much of it impassible without gum boots for a couple of hours each morning (some creative use of plastic bags assisted a little), wandering through the streets and exploring the piazzas was treat. Of course, no trip to Venice would be complete without a gondola ride!

We are currently in Florence, anticipating seeing Michaelangelo's David, having missed it last time we were here because it was closed for cleaning (which was Ev's second such experience.) Tomorrow afternoon we head to Rome for some time with friends. We hope you all had a wonderful start to 2010.

Back in Melbourne

Well, the trip ended on a spiral downwards, with Caleb requiring a couple of visits to hospital, and Gary catching the bug, which required that we spend a couple of nights in Coober Pedy on the way back. The trip was fantastic - I hope to post some stories and photos in the days to come. The big news is that Sam has made his basketballing debut with Bulleen Boomers in the EDJBA last Saturday. His team kicked off the grading phase of the new season with a win. His second game this week saw Sam score his first basket! Unfortunately it followed right on from him getting a defensive rebound and instinctively shooting it... The only consolation is that the other team was also a Bulleen team, so he managed to score for the right club, if not the right team!
This now means that we are involved in four different games on a Saturday... which gives us a wonderful view of many suburban basketball stadiums throughout the summer. However, having already enjoyed a couple of 30+C weeks in the Red Centre, I suppose we are acclimatised!

What are the Odds?

The day began with perfect weather. We breakfasted and all hit the showers to wash not knowing if we would see a shower for a couple of days. In stark contrast to the first day we had clear skies and tailing winds as we wend our way through the Barossa Valley and into the Clare Valley, stopping at Clare for lunch. The trail is marked with historical towns whose heyday has well-passed, but which commemorate the exploring and pioneering days of the late 19th century. The mining which was undertaken in these towns long ceased to be economically viable, and the landscape is pocked with abandoned cottages – all of two-four rooms and with ceilings which might have suited hobbits far better than Heards.

Port Augusta was our last stop of note – the last major town before commencing the journey up the Stuart Highway to Alice Springs. Here is pure outback – deserted regions with few trees and uninhabited landscape, appearing – one imagines – as it has done for millennia, save the bitumen strip which marks the pathway north. Apart from two large houses being transported on the back of trucks – wide enough to block the entire highway – the obstacles to travel were few. No matter what speed one travels, the landscape does not change nor pass quickly, though change it does. The land invites one to slow down and absorb its pace. It has lived for many years and invites the deeper breath of an aged time.

We ventured into Woomera, considering that we might spend the night there, but abandoned the notion and headed further north along the highway for some twenty or so kilometres, pulling into a wayside stop overlooking lagoon island – a dry salt lake bed. The scenery was magnificent, and proved to be an ideal spot to camp for the night, so we set the van up and began to prepare ourselves for dinner. At this time a black Ford pulled off the highway with the intention of taking in the view and moving on. As the couple disembarked their vehicle, Ev walked around the back of the van to hear the stunned cries, “It’s Ev!!! O, my god, it’s Ev!” What do you reckon the odds of bumping into someone you know some 200 or so kilometres north of Port Augusta on a road travelled by perhaps a few dozen people each day? It was Laura, a friend from Melbourne, whose grandmother was a good friend and whose funeral we had celebrated some weeks before. At this point, Ev was lamenting the impact of Adelaide water on her hair, and the lack of makeup in response to my chidings, “Who are you going to meet who knows you?!” at the camp site that morning. Hmmmm.
After a quick catch-up we bade them farewell as they headed north while we supped and slept most peacefully.

Back to the Red Centre - the journey begins again

The journey back to the Red Centre began at 7 am as we left West Melbourne, having brought the van up from Jan Juc on the Friday. Two basketball grand finals for Caleb on the weekend for split results kept us back until late Sunday together with a farewell for friends, who will likely leave Melbourne for Adelaide before the end of the week.

The run through was hindered by strong headwinds and all manner of turbulent weather. Sleet, heavy rain and showers all punctuated the day, and added to the fuel consumption. We lunched at Kaniva and made it to Tailem Bend to refuel, before heading north to Mannum, crossing the Murray on the punt at Mannum, then making our way through the Mount Lofty ranges before stumbling across a rather spartan caravan park at Eden Valley. The night was clear, albeit a little cold. Caleb when leaving the van after dark said he’d never seen the moon so bright and called us out to see it. It was framed beautifully by a huge gnarly old gumtree – it was indeed a picture. We slept comfortably through the night.

And for 25 years...

Ev and I took the opportunity to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary by slipping away to Brampton Island for a few nights, just as the cold Autumn mornings began to make an impact in Melbourne. The setting was idyllic... a wonderful place to unwind and relax.


Mind you, the kids weren't agog at being left behind. Caleb, however, wasn't too short of a word when Ev pondered, "I remember when my parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. I thought they were really old!"
Caleb's retort? "So... what's your point, Mum?"
And you think we were cruel for leaving him behind!

We spent a night in Brisbane on the way up, and one in Mackay on the way back. The Mackay Marina offers a wonderful collection of fishing runabouts...

So, we repaired to this beautiful island retreat and pondered the years (deep sigh...) How can one NOT relax in such a beautiful spot? If you are looking for one of the best places in the world to holiday where it's warm, you can't go past the Whitsundays. (Although we'd prefer Ningaloo reef at the Cape Range National Park these days, but it's very much more in the back-to-basics holiday spot).

But this was hardly in the category of exertion, in any case!

To spend a few days reflecting on the wonderful journey of the past 25 years was indeed a treasure... with one's best friend, lover, companion, kindred spirit, and confidante was just another beautiful memory to add to an ever-bulging storehouse!

Time has changed us both. By the grace of God, we trust for the better. We certainly look back with thankfulness, and forward with hope.


Beautiful!

On the Murray at Mildura

The first week of our school holidays was spent as a family at Mildura, near where the two great rivers of Australia merge: the Murray and the Darling. We had a great time, exploring some interesting and unexpected terrain. The photos here are of Perry Sands, a pure sand desert a few kilometres from Wentworth.


Our marks in the sand were quickly removed by the wind. The fine line at the ridge of the dune quickly restored.



The weather was warm enough to tempt some of the cold-blooded creatures of the land out into the open.



It is at Wentworth where the Darling and Murray Rivers join, where the first overlanders drove cattle across these great inland waters. The river system is under severe stress at the moment, due to a decade of drought. In previous years the rivers have been known to run dry. A system of locks now ensures water at all times, although those relying on the rivers for irrigation are being severely cut back.




Mildura is about the furthest one can travel from Melbourne without leaving the state of Victoria. It has been decades since either Ev or I was in Mildura, a town immortalised in an old Skyhooks song "Love on the Radio". For afficionados, the address of the song (25 Langtree Ave) is non-existent, so any attempts to place orders from "Homecall Pharmacy" will return empty!

A trip on a paddle-steamer is a must in the region. Rachel and Sam took their turns to pilot one of these grand old ladies of the river.

No collisions at the hands of either!

Many of these majestic vessels have been restored...