Second verse, same as the first

We spent several days in Sydney, during which time we had no internet access. Odd. But actually rather liberating. And then we left our laptop power cord and plug adapter at the hotel. Such a rookie mistake, and we're not even rookies! At some point we'll download and post photos, which will give this little blog some much-needed sparkle. We're lazy that way.

Seems we never do anything new when we come to Oz. We do all the same things we always do, and we always seem to enjoy them. Maybe it doesn't get old because we're here infrequently?

While we were in the city, LBH gave a lecture at the Con (the Sydney Conservatorium of Music), (one of) his alma mater(s). It's really quite fancy and elitist, and looks a bit like a castle. We went to the Aquarium and saw the sharks; did some children's clothes shopping at our favorite stores; walked around the city for hours upon hours (14 on one day); had lunch with Gerard Willems, LBH's former piano master; met up with LBH's oldest friend, Michael Black, and his partner, Tom Hamilton, both of whom were very game in playing with the girls; took the ferry across the Harbour to Taronga Zoo, which is leagues ahead of any other zoo we've ever been to; met up with LBH's brother, Mitch, and his lovely family at a cool restaurant that had only one salad on the menu, to my dismay, and it was $35, also to my dismay; got gelato at the great little gelataria at Circular Quay; went swimming; petted a koala named Junior (Lenny is no longer with us, may he rest in peace) and fed kangaroos at the Koala Park; and took a ride on a ski lift sort of gondola.

 

We've done it all several times before, and it's still interesting and lovely.

We've been in Milton now for a couple days. Milton is the tiny little country village where LBH's sister Janey and her family live. It's marvellous, and not exactly action-packed. I'm unsure of the population here, but Ulladulla, the next town over, is larger -- its welcome sign boasts 13,000 people. Milton and Ulladulla have some posh boutiques on the high street, but Ulladulla has become much more urban -- it recently acquired its very first escalator!

The South Coast of New South Wales is unlike anywhere I've ever been. I say this every time -- it's very difficult to describe -- but it's like Malibu and Vermont got together and had a baby. This is green rolling hills with cows and paddocks and trees and no houses as far as the eye can see... until the eye hits the beach with blue, blue water and white, white sailboats. I guess like all things Australian, it's difficult to describe because it's similar enough to be familiar, but different enough to give pause. Like a platypus or a kangaroo, I guess. Maybe the wildlife here can sort of speak for the place as a whole, like animal ambassadors.

Yesterday we took the girls to Pebbly Beach (which isn't pebbly) and had a delightful picnic. There are wild kangaroos there, but they were all hiding yesterday -- didn't see a one, although we've been there in the past when they were as numerous as birds. Janey and Craig have been laughing for more than ten years that they owe us a wedding present. Of course, we were totally unconcerned. Who cares? We know they love us and we love them. But they mentioned it every time we've seen them for ten years. Janey had given a glorious gift to Dad for his birthday last week, and I guess LBH verbally admired it. So, yesterday, Janey presented the same gift to us and said congratulations on your marriage! It's an RM Williams dream gift -- an oilcloth picnic bag lined in wool, and a wool chevron blanket. Inside the bag was a fancy little picnic with bubbly and brie and berries and pate, etc. It's fantastic and we love it.

The Camerons now have gone up to Queensland for a family shindig on Craig's side, and have left us in charge of the farm. I have no idea how to do anything on the farm, but am assured that as long as we keep everything alive and still standing, it's all good. And, even if it's not living or standing, it's still okay. Janey's easy! There are alpacas, chickens, sheep, goats, horses, pigeons, cows, no more pigs, cats and an obliging giant black poodle named Sammy who looks like a living cartoon. I'm a real life pioneer woman, out here on the farm in Milton.

The girls are dressing up -- no family on earth has such a vast and varied supply of costumes and fancy dresses -- and later we might head to Mollymook beach. Lamb grillers for dinner, with lemon lime bitters and lamingtons for dessert. Ah, yes. This is the life -- at least for today.