Australia Days

On travel

Pronouncements about travel are a dime a dozen, but I'll go with Bill Bryson: "I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything."

Traveling to Melbourne is not a journey to the end of the earth in any but the most literal sense. It's more like traveling a really long way to find Canada, but with much better weather and cheerier locals. The language is the same, and you can easily obtain what Tim considers the hallmarks of a civilized society: KitKats, Diet Coke, and Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup. Even our hyper-manicured tour of South America last summer served up a more rugged adventure.

But to be somewhere else does awaken a desire to see in a way that gets dulled by long periods at home. And Australia brought different landscapes and history, international culture and cuisine, time with old and new friends, and invaluable perspective on everything from suburban child-rearing to international politics.

These notes about our sabbatical here of course have an editorial bias; Tim and Rob will tell their own stories. But we all have enjoyed our time here together -- no matter what Tim says about the hardship of living without cable -- and we all look forward to seeing everyone back home.

The perfect finish

Tim was way too fast for me to snap him in the 5K Run to the G.

Here he is savoring an all-chocolate, post-race breakfast of champions at a Federation Square café.

Such sweet sorrow

Rob and I have enjoyed a final round of celebratory lunches and dinners. Tim has been fêted with wonderful gifts from friends: books, cards, Essendon sports gear, and a T-shirt from his favorite burger joint on earth.

But it's sweet, because we'll certainly be back.

School's out

Term 2 has ended, and Tim was able to say his goodbyes at a school barbecue.

Tim was so engaged here in everything from cross-country to clarinet, and he made some wonderful friends. We hope to lure at least a few of them over for a visit.

Class picnic

Tim's class got together to celebrate the end of term, and to wish Tim well. The kids enjoyed hot dogs, homemade sushi, sandwiches, and a junk food chaser. And what picnic is complete without dodgeball?

Winter sunset

With the everpresent cranes, of course.

Gone native

"I was ply-ying outside with ..."

"Pardon, Tim?"

"I said, I was ply-ying outside with my friends ..."

"You were what?"

"Ply-ying! Ply-ing! You know, playing."

It's all relative

Melbourne's much dreaded winter is here. Apart from today's fogginess, a typical afternoon seems to be 48 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. People shiver ostentatiously and ask how we're bearing up under the extreme cold.

I don't have the heart to tell them that for over a week it's been rainy/cloudy in Boston and 50 degrees -- and that this heralds the beginning of summer. Melbourne, I wish I knew how to quit you.

Above the harbor

We spent our one sunny afternoon climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Not too challenging -- Tim could likely have scaled the outside. Spectacular views of the many inlets and residential areas, and a tremendous sunset.

Tim and I flew back with an hour's weather delay, while Rob opted for the train. Unfortunately, a derailment the day before turned Rob's train trip into a really, really long bus journey. This may well be the tipping point for creating an avid flyer! 

Under water

Sydneysiders are notoriously derisory about Melbourne weather. "I couldn't live there," is the constant refrain, and it always makes me want to airlift the complainers to Duluth in January. It was only fitting that our five-day visit to Sydney coincide with record low temperatures and relentless rainfall.

Indoor pursuits supplanted Bondi Beach, so we spent several hours at the aquarium. Tim and Rob cavorted, and Rob was impressed by the sharks. I was tempted to pass this scene off as a Great Barrier Reef shot, but the exit sign gives me away.