Sunday Sunday

We just had the nicest afternoon. We were invited by Ross' buddy's mum, Kim, to join the family at the Pub With No Beer. That's right. We drove about 45 kilometers south past Macksville and west out into the countryside. The drive was beautiful, passing farmlands and picturesque hillsides. We drove and drove and finally arrived at the famous pub in the middle of nowhere! A band was playing and we chose a table outside. The sun was brilliant, and the temperature was probably 78 degrees F. Not bad since it's still, technically, winter.

We enjoyed the music, fish and chips, and even a real beer! Amazing. The place is notorious for it's local color and affiliation with country music legend, Slim Dusty. He is the clever song writer/performer of such greats as Duncan ("I'd rather have a beer with Dun-caaan, cuz Duncans me maiyte!"). He might be likened to Willy Nelson, but with a purer than pure Aussie persona. The boys played pool while I photographed the ambiance and locals. I felt like I was in a movie with the true-blue crusty Aussies out the veranda around the front plenty tipsy and cheering on the musicians!

It was great to share a good pub meal with Ross and his friends and get to know the family better, as well. We always learn something new about Australia (or America!) when we get together with friends. Today it was all about Perth and the glutton of work available there, if you're interested!

One Last Thing to Try

With our American friends soon to leave after a glorious month in Oz, we had to cram a few more things in, like one last day at school with the kids, one last night at the Urunga Pub, and a try at the Didgereedoo. Caroline and Wayne invited the girls to come by and see Caroline's amazing fabric art workshop in her home. Visit her website at carolinesharkey.com and be completely 'wow-ed.' The next thing we knew, everyone was showing up who had or hadn't met the girls yet, and out came the instruments! We all had a go, and I must say, my years playing tenor sax didn't really give me an edge! It's a cross between playing a trombone, a kazoo, and a PVC drain pipe! It's easier than surfing, so far, so that's good.

Now the house is very very quiet. Ross is home from his trip to Cairns with Ellen, Pat, and the boys. School is back for both of us; no more sore throats. And Pat is catching up on more laundry and lawn bowls! We are so blessed to have wonderful friends and colleagues and family! It's been incredible to share some of our adventures here with them.

Now we can't wait to share our new friends and beautiful beaches with Aaron and Jolyn next month!

More Fun to Come

Saturday we headed south to another beatiful beach I've mentioned before. This is the beach where I spent my birthday and Mother's Day. It's great to get to make an excuse to revisit these incredible places only a few hours from home. This one is only one hour south.

We walked up to the lighthouse here, too, and then spent time with the many roos. One particularly large male is there each time we visit. You can hear the jokes and songs that Pat, at least, sings when we're near this big guy. He is, let's say, well-endowed.

So picture Karen focused carefully on the roo with her video camera taking footage when one of us cries out some randy comment on his manliness. Karen stops the camera, waits till we've finished, and tries again. Now Pat chimes in with an adult version of 'Do Your Ears Hang Low.' Again, Karen stops the camera and waits. By the third time she laughs and yells, "You guys! This is for my Kinders back home! Stop!" Woops. It's just difficult not to comment!

We had a great picnic and then lounged on the sand some more. A beautiful, perfect day.

We did hurry home, however, to change clothes and scurry off to dinner at the boss'! Glenn and Jeanette had us all for dinner, cooked beautifully by his daughter Kate, save for his homemade pasta. It was, as they say, a Big Night, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the Wild Turkey - I mean, the evening. The Americans were fading by 10:30 p.m., but the Aussies were still going strong. The girls were learning what we've learned: just go with it and don't expect to get home any time soon! Tons of fun!

I still think it's hilarious that I have the car keys since I'm the designated driver, and all 12 of the others, who are NOT designated drivers, are telling me very loudly and emphatically how to back out of the driveway! I am simply collecting the most wonderful memories, and how amazing to have friends to share them with!

Byron Bay

I seemed to have developed quite a cough/sore throat/flu/day off cuz my friends are here and we need to sight see for the day/ kind of feeling. So off we went to the beach three hours north for the day.

Lots of laughs on our drive up reliving the crazy Karaoke night from before, including the wog, Chookie, dancing the same cuz we come from the same country, Tom Jones, Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On done beautifully by - a bloke!, Duncan me mate, photos of random pub folk, the security guard feeding us sandwiches at closing time, and more.

We stopped to shop, get coffees and muffins, then shopped some more. We walked along the beach in beautiful Byron Bay, and then sat in the wind, determined to work on our tans! That didn't last long, so we ended with a trip up to the lighthouse - fantastic, and then dinner at Fresh, a cute restaurant with a fireplace to get warm by!!

The sea air really did me good, and I was able to get back to work the next day. They say sunshine and laughter is great for what ails ya.

Karaoke Aussie Style

We invited anyone who would not believe us to join us for Karaoke Wednesday night (!). The Aussies didn't know what to make of it, but being good sports, they came along. We were 11 in all, half and half American and Aussie, with the majority stating very proudly and nervously, "I don't sing; I ain't gettin' up there." Well, I've learned over the years that they all say that, and by the end of the evening, with so much fun to be had, they are up there wailing away Bruce Springsteen, Donna Summer, or Neil Diamond, at the very least.

But Tie Me Kangaroo Down? Fantastic! Even P. Mollahan had a turn singing the Aussie anthem! The Aussie girls spotted "Duncan" on the play list and launched into a rousing version at the table. That's all the cue I need to submit their names for a live version on the mic! "I'd rather drink a beer with Dun-caaan, cuz Duncans me maiyte!"

We danced the night away, thoroughly enjoyed the antics of the locals, and definitely made an impact on the little Irish pub! Nevermind that it was a work night - we closed the place down after 11 p.m.

Picture This

I must digress for a minute and tell you what happened last night. You will smile, those of you who know Pat, which you all do. So you will all smile.

He left at 5:30 p.m. to go up river and fish for Jewel fish. Very yummy. He came back at 10:00 p.m., at which time I was reading in bed. He came in with a big smile and his cooler in hand. I asked him if he had any luck, and he said, "Yes."

He then proceeded to bring the cooler over to the side of the bed, open it up, and reach in to grab his prizes. Two fabulous, smelly, jewel fish, each one about 15 inches long! He pulled one up, river water dripping, dead fish eyes staring, I suppose at me or the ceiling, tail limp, slimy and disgusting. Oops! A little fish water/juice/slime has dripped here and there. No worries! He was so proud. I just smiled!

Guess where he is again tonight??

Was that before or after we ran completely out of hot water? On a cloudy, rainy day with solar heating panels??

Tours By Us

Sunday started with everyone vegging in the sun on the patio popping a few Advil and reminiscing about the night and the past year here and there. Once we got moving, the girls and I drove up to the rainforest for a beautiful walk and tangle through the vines and brush turkeys.

Ross went south with the Momsens and Gamacks to hike at South West Rocks. They picniced, romped with the many many roos, watched dolphins truly playing and jumping in the waves closeby, and enjoyed the incredible views.

Where was Pat? I truly can't remember, but I think he may have been laying low that day! No doubt he was scurrying behind doing laundry and dishes as he does. He was also on a roll that week to make the reservations and arrangements for Aaron and Jolyn's visit in September.

I enjoyed the beautiful dinners our company made for us, chomped homemade cookies they baked, and appreciated the fridge being magically stocked with milk, juices, yogurts and fabulous salad fixings. How did the cars get filled with gas when I wasn't looking?? Thank you to the many elves . . .

Monday meant off to work for me, but the guests could still play: the girls came to school to visit and meet the kids/staff, and Momsens played in Coffs visiting their friends and learning to surf. It's a lot harder than it looks. Well, Pat made it look easy in January in the backyard pool. But, hey.

Work, schmurk! Oh, right! That's why we're here!!

Toldja!

From here, I think (!), Jacki and Karen left for Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. The boys came to basketball with Ross and went to school to see high school Aussie Style. I love their imitation of the girls' accents!

Ellen and Pat arrived midweek and, yes, got to see roos right away. The last time we saw them was in the drizzle and dark in Corvallis in December! How great to get together in Australia! Incidentally, speaking of which, each of our American visitors has been surprised to have the sun going down at 5 or 5:30 p.m. here. Well, it is winter! They've just come from full summer in Oregon where the sun is up until 10!

We didn't waste time, of course. They came and visited my school to see how great their idea way back really was! They called friends from their Ireland exchange 18 years ago who live just 20 minutes from us, and were invited for dinner. Bronwyn and Charlie welcomed us with Paul and Diana to their beautiful home that she designed. We looked through old photo albums and shared many laughs and even some Oregon wine - thanks Paul - er, me!

Besides making beautiful dinners for us and catching us up on news from home, Ellen and Pat were able to visit with an old childhood friend of Ellen's from L.A. who lives, yes, 20 minutes from us here! Who knew?

We had a potluck dinner the next night to introduce them all to our incredible friends here. More food, laughs, wine, and fun. Ellen and Pat learned what we have - that the Aussies love to stay and stay and have more and stay! It's terrific!

That night the girls arrived back from their snorkeling adventures up north - this time bringing two more gorgeous Albany girls! We were nine in the house with beds full, floors full and a waiting line for the bathroom! Just what I love - it was Pinecrest 2009 all over (okay, that was 19 and one bathroom, but still great fun!).

Don't Try, I Gave Up

From here it gets a little mixed up. That is, people came, went, brought things, laughed, played, read, hiked, ate, baked, sang, taught, swam, cooked, walked, shopped, gazed, and marveled at the many wonderful things and people here in Urunga and our beautiful coastline.

Owen and Liam, Ross' friends (brothers) from Corvallis arrived to our house by Thursday evening. They'd flown in with their folks, Ellen and Pat, to Sydney. You might remember it's Ellen and Pat who introduced us to Paul and Diana who got us here to Australia that lived in the house that Jack built.

So the boys came up to play with Ross while Mom and Dad reunioned with other exchange teacher friends from 18 years ago in Ireland! That meant teens coming and going as they were introduced to Ross' new friends and getting together to hang out Aussie style.

Pat took the boys fishing in the tinney one day while Ross took tests at school. You should have seen the size of the fish they caught!! Much less the one that got away! Well, those are fish stories that only they can tell. It wouldn't be fair of me to take away their thunder. At least, that's what they told me. I never actually saw the biggest ones . . .

We took the boogie boards to the beach one day, picking up two friends and one dog on the way. The surprise for the outing was the dead 8 foot Great White that had washed up on the beach about one kilometre down. Wow. We marveled at it while Pat described the various characterizations of a dead body. Yuck. The boys then did an elaborate photo shoot (almost morbidly so!!) and had a ball playing with poor dead "Phil." At least it was too big to put in someone's pocket and bring home . . .

One of the many joys of having visitors is bringing them to see the kangaroos that live in the park 5 minutes from the house. It's also very fun to hear their reactions to the many new things, new accents, new phrases, and "new and different" life style.

Popping the boot to put in the boards, pahking the cah in the cah pahk, using tomato sauce on the snag and listening to great 80's songs - again! Hanging out in the sun and living the easy life is the best.

First came The Girls

In the last week of July, Jacki and Karen, two teachers and friends from Liberty arrived to Urunga! They came to school with me on Monday and Tuesday and were put right to work with reading and math groups! It was glorious to have two certified teachers right there in the room to do everything!!

So they burned out real quickly on that, and took off for sight seeing in the area! Pat took them to the rain forest and the beaches nearby. The Urunga and Macksville ladies came "for a wine" one night, and we opened a champagne bottle for Maureen! We scoped out the karaoke bar in Coffs and discovered Aussie KJ hilarity! Pat loved his version of Snoopy and the Red Baron. We loved how he handed singers props for their song, or just cut off the music if he felt it "wasn't for them."

It was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to see the girls from home! I hadn't let myself get homesick, but I think this did it! I'm so lucky to work with such amazing women. And more were still coming!

Whew

The house has been full of wonderful Americans for a month! We promise we'll update you as soon as we wake up.

Happy Birthday to Us!

How do you wrap a blender or cologne and call it a birthday present these days??

So, we took a sailing trip for our birthdays! I would like to tell you that after three days and three nights on a two-masted sailing ship that I'm hooked on sailing. Since I didn't sail at all I feel I should say that I'm hooked on sitting on a sailing ship while it sails through the ocean! That is accurate.

If you can call living with 36 strangers in very tight quarters aboard a diving/snorkel yacht a second honeymoon, then that's what it was! We met lovely people from Canada, France, India, and the UK. We were the only Americans and the only Aussies were the crew. The food was substantial, the weather was perfect, the sleeping quarters were romantically small, and the nightlife consisted of quiet card games and moon gazing from the deck. (see what happens when you remove Aussies from the picture?!!)

We started out from Airlie Beach and sailed out to the Whitsunday islands. We saw a huge goanna on White Haven Beach, our first stop. It's famous for it's perfect white sand. So true. From there we went further out to the Great Barrier Reef and snorkeled for the day (read no land in sight . . .). We found Nemo, Crush, all their friends, and the beautiful corals. One day the crew fed the fish as we snorkeled and suddenly we were surrounded by many many fish all darting around inbetween us! It's hard to laugh and squeal through a snorkel! Pat and I got some bread and fed them from our hands, too. So amazing.

We watched the sun rise in the morning and saw the whales playing in the distance. Truly playing. They breeched time and time again, waved their fins, lolled and rolled in the water.

We celebrated with Baskin Robbins ice cream back on land for our birthday treat!