A happy & four & 1/2-some

A happy & four & 1/2-some
Michael, Karen (Sevan) & us

Saturday, February 6, 2010

The great outdoors--

A friend reminded me that I haven't added anything to my blog for a LONG time. Yes, it's been 4 months. -Didn't think you cared! So, for those of you who do care, I will try to catch up and not bore you at the same time! -A difficult task. The most interesting things to tell you must certainly be Australian in nature. But I need to throw in a little regarding family status to make some sense of it all. Otherwise, I suppose you could just read a travel book, right mate?!

As you may know Nat came to stay with us in July. He is in between college and his new career, Lieutenant in the US Army. He got a part time job at the Embassy, and I enjoyed seeing him on a different level. He and Nick abandoned me for 3 weeks and went to SE Asia. I was very jealous, but I was told they'd make it up to me! They had a great time, until they got sick on some raw eggs! That will teach them!

November, the highlight was Tasmania! We took the ferry over with our old clunker station wagon and camped around the island. We were able to circle the island and see the most beautiful spots! There are many debates about Tassie and New Zealand, and which is better. My vote is for Tassie, as that's all I've seen, but I'm content with that. The eastern ocean was a gorgeous turquoise blue, with yellow and green moss on the rocks and white sandy beaches. The center of the island had some lush green rain forests, and the tallest flowering trees, 200 feet high and about 8-10 feet in diameter. There was a most beautiful waterfall there surrounded by beautiful green ferns and mossy rocks. Then in the south, the old Penal Colony at Port Arthur was so fascinating historically, but at the same time, it was artistically located with the ruins reflecting in the deep blue inlet. Finally, Cradle Mountain National Park, the Grand Tetons of Australia. Breathtaking. -One week is too short for all this!

While we were traveling we listened to an unusual radio station. The DJs were old foggies and one lady sounded like she was loosing her dentures! We got a kick out of one song in particular. It went: "With her head tucked underneath her arm, she walked the bloody tower!" (In reference to Ann Boleyn!) We had to look it up when we got home and get a copy. It's on a CD called "Halloween Classics" in case you're interested.

We were able to fly Adri, Meridth and 3 month old grand-daughter, Uschi over for 2 weeks, early December. It was wonderful to hold, cuddle and coax smiles from that new grandchild of ours, finally! We showed them the sights of Canberra, when Uschi wasn't sleeping. Mer and Nat saw the special Impressionist art exhibit a short walk away. Adri enjoyed the view from the top of the Parliment building, snapping away with her camera . And we all loved the War Memorial (truely one the very best I've ever seen - huge with the ships and airplanes in the building surrounded by movies of the actual action.) Then we took everyone, 7 of us in that old beat-up car (and guess who got to sit in the back seat with luggage and groceries surrounding every inch of her body?!) all the way to the Gold Coast, Queensland. We had no idea it would take 17 hours, 6 of them were accented with a screaming baby, and who could blame her?! We met up with some old friends, the Dillons, who've we've kept in contact for about 40 years! They were the same fun, easy to get along with, Dillons. It was great to see them again. And at 80, John led us in our morning swim thru the ocean breakers! Lil has recovered from cancer, and certainly does very well herself. We also had a memorable walk thru the rain forest and botanical gardens up at Mount Tamborine with the cicadas serenading us along the way. Of course the time went too fast, and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye. Nat's goodbye would follow in another month. This is tough emotionally!

Christmas came and went. Nothing more interesting to say about that. It is not the same here and seems so low-key that it's hardly noticable.

We've had a few other short trips thru some beautiful countryside: the Great Pacific Highway and Kangaroo Valley, both south of Sydney: picturesque. We went somewhere in the interior with the Young Men/Women to rappel off the cliffs (ab-sailing is what they call it here). We also swam and crawled up a river and over and thru some waterfalls. Got scraped up a bit, but worth every boo-boo. This weekend we went to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and saw IN THE WILD: a koala up a tree, wallabies, emus, a platypus, and 2 red bellied black snakes. (The lady Ranger told us they were of the most poisonous snakes in Australia. Could that mean they are the most poisonous in the world?!?) And it slithered it's way right across our path! Anyway, we saw a lot, and enjoyed all of it. I have asked Nick to take me camping or back-packing for my birthday next week. (Never had a birthday in the summer before.)

The outdoors is the greatest here! So sorry you're still in winter!!




4 comments:

  1. Dear Mrs. McKean, Your photos are thrilling, especially the one taken at Wildwood.:) I'm so glad we had a chance to hang out. It sounds like life is good and the scenery is amazing at every turn in Auzzieland. Steve and I are plotting to take a photo trip soon, or we shall both go insane from the winter blahs. Work continues to dominate my life as we struggle to keep things afloat in this dreadful economy. But life is good and full of bright moments. Love to you and Nick and your family.
    Rhonda

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  2. Hello, I am not sure how I found your blog, but I thought you may be interested in my website outdoorbaby.net

    All the best

    Heidi

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  3. It's about time!! We miss and love you guys!

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  4. Sounds like you're having an adventure. Glad I was finally able to find your blog! Worth the work, for sure.

    Your holidays sound much more exciting as we stayed here in Las Vegas most of the break...though we were in San Diego for a couple of day before Christmas to cheer on Utah in the Poinsetta Bowl. They beat Cal Berkley (yea)!

    Keep posting! Hopefully we will make the journey to see you before you time is over there.

    Love to you and Nick!
    Susan

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