Time Travel

Our flight departed at 10:15 for Los Angeles so it was an early start this morning.  We were all excited to be heading home but also had heavy hearts as we knew we would miss all the wonderful friends we made here and would not be back to this beautiful country for some time.

The flight was uneventful but it did seem like time travel.  We arrived in Los Angeles before we even left Sydney.  The international date line sure messes with you -  We landed at 6:40 am on April 26 in L.A.; into Calgary at 3 pm and finally landed in Winnipeg at 9:30 pm.  According to the clock we made really good time, less then 12 hours, but our bodies did not agree with that.

We crashed in a hotel for the night and Ray was there in the morning to pick us up.

What an AMAZING ADVENTURE this has been!

Bondi Beach

We were up early and headed into Sydney to return the car and check back into our hotel.  Once that was all taken care of, we took the train out to Bondi Beach - likely the best know beach in Australia.  It is the closest beach to Sydney and is known for its great surfing. People go there to surf, hang out on the beautiful fine sand beach, swim in the ocean pools or visit the many pubs and cafes along the street.

We had a leisurely day there.  We took the train to Bondi Junction then hopped on a bus that took us to the beach.  The bus dropped us off right along side the beach.  The first thing Aiden spotted was the trampolines and McDonalds.  Of all the nice cafes around, we end up having lunch at McDonald's.  Life with a kid!  Even with a full belly, Aiden wanted to try out the trampoline.  He has always loved to jump and had a blast.

We wandered around for a bit and spent most of our time chilling out on the grassy knoll above the sand.  We did walk a short distance down the Bondi to Coogee trail to take in the scenery of the ragged cliffs and surf.  We found the ocean pools an interesting concept but didn't think that they would be very nice to swim in as they were rough from the waves coming in.  The pool was fairly busy so most must not mind it.  We tried to get in to take a closer look but only members were allowed.

Scenic World

After we packed up and had breakfast, we drove to Katoomba to spend the day at Scenic World.  We took in all four attractions:  The Railway, the Walkway, the Cable Car and the Skyway.  We rode the railway down to the valley floor.  The Railway was quite the thrill at a  52° incline and the steepest passenger railway in the world.  The railway descends 415 m through a cliff-side tunnel, emerging into rain forest at the Jamison floor valley.

The walkway was an elevated boardwalk through a Jurassic rain forest.  At the far side of the walkway, we took the cable car back up to the main building.

We had a bite to eat at the restaurant. After lunch we went on the Skyway, which goes between cliff tops.  It is 270 m above the valley floor and has a glass bottom floor so you can look at the valley below.  It provided awesome views of the 3 sisters and Katoomba falls.

We stayed in the area that night.  The next day was an uneventful day where we traveled from the Blue Mountains back towards Sydney.  We ended up at a campgrounds in Wollongong. It was a nice place located along the beach and it even had a pool.

The Blue Mountains

We had a lazy start to the day.  We rented a vehicle near the hotel and headed west to the Blue Mountains.  The Blue Mountains, part of the Great Dividing Range, has some fantastic scenery.  The blue haze, which gives the mountains their name, is a result of the fine mist of oil given off by the eucalyptus trees.

We reached Blackheath mid afternoon and went to Govetts Leap Lookout and walked from there to Barrow Lookout.  The views at Govetts Leap is some of the most breathtaking in the Blue Mountains.  The panoramic views across the immense Grose Valley, surrounded by huge, vertical sandstone cliffs and waterfalls are very impressive. Bridal Veil Falls is certainly not a very wide waterfall, but it’s the height (180 metres) and the impressive surrounding scenery that make it such a beautiful place. It was an easy 15 minute walk to the top of the waterfall (crossing Govetts Leap Brook) and to the Barrow Lookout, from where you can see the waterfall very clearly.

We found a campground in Blackheath and set up camp, cooked supper and hung out for the night.  

Sydney

Today's mission was to hit a few of the iconic tourist sites of Sydney. We had arranged for a motel stay near the airport to rest up and recover from all the last minute effort of cleaning up and packing (or in Aiden's case, visiting and playing) and so we caught the train into the heart of Sydney 10 km away. The harbour is more than just the centerpiece for the city, everything in Sydney revolves around it.  We had been told that only the bravest / craziest drivers try their luck at driving around Sydney with its unplanned streets scattered like a maze around the bays, rivers, creeks and harbours that inundate the city. The public transit on the other hand is efficient and reasonably priced. For the low price of $17 per adult and around $9 for Aiden, we had unlimited travel on all the trains, buses and ferries in the Sydney area on a day tripper fare. Given one way taxi fare from the airport to the city is around $45, we thought that it was a steal of a deal and way faster to boot.

On Frank and Sylvia's recommendation, we started off with a ferry ride to Manly. It starts in the heart of Sydney and begins by heading out between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. There were great views of both attractions from the ferry. We spent a couple of hours in Manly playing on the beach, watching surfers and enjoying a good feed of fresh fish and chips. We then headed back downtown, explored the Rocks and listened to some talented didgeridoo players. The Rocks is on the west side of Sydney cove an is an interesting area of narrow cobbled streets, colonial buildings, pubs, restaurants, cafes and shopping.

Our next visit was to the highest point in the city, the Sydney Centrepoint Tower which rises 260 m above the city or about as tall as 60 giraffes apparently. A visit to the tower is packaged with an experience called OzTrek which is a multimedia show that highlights the attractions of Australia. The show at the end involved an amusement park style ride with moving seats as you fly over the Outback or underwater at the Barrier Reef. Not sure we would have paid for it separately but it was mildly entertaining. Fortunately it was over in time for us to get up to the observation deck to take in many stunning views of the city before the clouds rolled in and reduced the visibility to about 100 m. When we headed back down to ground it had decided to get serious about raining and we had dinner before heading back to the hotel for the night.

While it was only a quick flavour of Sydney and hardly enough to do it justice, it was about all the city us country folk can handle for a while. Tomorrow we are looking for a car and heading out of the city for a bit, do some camping perhaps if the weather cooperates and see something else besides the largest city in Australia.

Sydney Bound

...on and on it goes, saying good-bye to friends and places and views and food and things and .....(loop back to line 1).

The bags are packed, with no room to spare, but every one is UNDER the weight . Sean, such a pessimist didn't think we would do it ;-) The house is spic and span and we are ready to head out. On last short climb up the rocks behind the house as a final farewell. We will miss this place.

The Buckman's made it easier by driving us to Melbourne. We enjoyed a few geocaches on the way in and a lovely evening meal out. Roz's parents were gracious enough to put all of us up for the night. They have a cozy little house in the suburb of Melbourne and a flat out the back.

Monday morning came way too quick. Buckmans drove us to the Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and helped us in with our six over stuffed bags. Since we were flying domestic to Sydney they were able to come right up to the gate with us and wait until we boarded the plane. The plane was late due to fog over Melbourne so we were able to enjoy a few more minutes together. Aiden and Joseph along with Grace and Tyler have been getting in every minute they can. Aiden stayed over at Buckmans both Friday and Saturday night. It worked well for us, Aiden was happy and entertained while we did not have him underfoot while trying to pack and clean. The only downfall was we had a very tired and sad boy on our hands. The time finally came where we had to say good-bye to the Buckmans. It was a heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching moment. Plans were made for visiting in a few years. We will start a Aussie fund when we get home. Donations anyone???

We were finally in the air around 12:30 after having to wait another 15 minutes while they found the luggage of someone who decided to not take the flight. It was a short flight to Sydney and we were out of the airport by 2 pm. We don't have any plans for Sydney yet, other than a day around the harbour and possibly head out to the Blue Mountains.

Stay posted as the adventure unravels.

Fond Farewell

Practically every hour we do something for 'the last time' and we talk about home, and the shift back home. Sometimes it gets to be enough and we need to turn it off and just enjoy the last moments here at the Grampians. It has been such a good home to us. I can't believe we will leave it.

And I try to take pictures of everything, so I don't forget it. Last year was easier, we had the second rotation in our back pocket and it made the leaving easier. We don't have a third to ease our pain - although some jokes have been made about us returning...

Parks had a farewell for us on Friday night. What a great send off. It was very sad to say goodbye to all the friends we have made here. From a mothers piont of view it was most heart wrenching to see Aiden's best mate, Joseph almost in tears as he and a few of his school mates stood up in front of the crowd and each said a farewell and told Aiden what they will remember fondly about him. All and all it was wonderful evening spent with friends that we will miss.

Easter Bilby Visits

Lots of sighing going on these past few days. Maybe its just me, maybe its just in my head. But everytime I turn around we are seeing something for the last time, or worse, someone. D-day is close. On the other hand, we're close to leaving!! Hooray! We are all excited about coming back and seeing family and friends. Can't wait! A friend put it nicely 'you're leaving home...to come home'. We are definitely torn and it has been a roller coaster of emotion the past week and I am sure it is only going to get worse as the final day approaches.

We had a fantastic Easter weekend. Easter is the last kick at the summer for the Grampians. It is busier over Easter than any time of the year, even Christmas and summer holidays. The park was crazy busy. As a last ditch attempt to sell our car, we parked down among the crowd on main street with for sale signs in the windows. No luck! Friday was a quite day for me. While Sean and Aiden went out geocaching with Daryl and Joseph, I stayed home and puttered around, going through things, cleaning and finishing up a few projects that needed to get done. We enjoyed pizza for dinner and a great evening of visiting with the Buckman's.



Saturday afternoon we played tourists. We headed up to Mackenzie Falls with the Buckman's to do the Mackenzie river walk. This walk has been closed since the bushfires of 2006. We have been patiently waiting for it to reopen ( it was scheduled to open last week) but there are still sections being worked on. After discussing the areas of danger with Daryl, who has been working on the trail, we figured we were running out of time so if we were going to do it, it had to be now. So off we went and headed down to the base of Mackenzie falls with all the other Easter weekend hikers there to take in the majestic view of the highest waterfall in the Grampians. From the base, we ducked down around the path and Sean opened the gate and we slipped in. For the most part the trail was in good shape. It was a pleasant walk down hill to Zumsteins picnic area. About half way along is another terraced waterfall called Fish Falls. It was a beautiful spot and almost as impressive as Mackenzie Falls.









We awoke Sunday morning to a small voice asking “Mom, can I eat the chocolate eggs I see on the floor”. The Easter Bilby found us last night! And left us with a basket full of chocolate. We spent three hours working at our last school market serving up numerous egg and bacon rolls, hamburgers and sausages. Later in the afternoon the Buckman's came over for an Easter egg hunt and to decorate Easter eggs. They joined us along with Frank and Sylvia for Easter dinner. After dinner we all enjoyed a great game of Carcassone.






Late Monday morning we headed out towards the Black Range west of the Grampians with Frank and enjoyed a picnic lunch and adventure walk. Unfortunately Sylvia had to work again today so was not able to join us. We spent a lovely afternoon roaming around checking out caves and climbing around the rocks. Afterwards Frank and Sylvia came over for a bite to eat and a game.

Last of the List

We had a very busy weekend. Friday was Aiden's last day of school. One of the parents, Shanna was kind enough to prepare a lunch for everyone as a send off for Aiden and to celebrate the end of first term. Aiden presented his teacher each with a little Canadian memento and the school with a wildflower shrub for their garden. Our attempt to say thank you. Mrs. Hillbig named it the Aiden tree. Such a wonderful school community. They truly accepted Aiden as a member of their school. Aiden is very lucky to have been a part of Halls Gap Primary School. It has been a great experience for all of us. The school community of parents and teachers have been more than wonderful. We couldn't have asked for any better.


Friday night was an unofficial school family get together at the cricket club. It was a wonderful chance of us to say goodbye to many of the parents and families we have come to known. And so the goodbyes start.


Saturday morning found all of us out at the Watch Tower with Frank and Sylvia. They have been threatening to take Aiden “real” rock climbing for awhile. Today was the day. It was only a short hike up to the grade 7/8 cliff. We watched Sylvia and Frank gear up and Frank go up and set up the climb for Aiden. Sylvia suited Aiden up in a child's harness they were able to borrow from a climbing gym they frequent. Aiden was very excited to be actually rock climbing. He was a bit timid at first once he realized he would be going up alone but he did very well and made it about half way up before asking to come down. Abseiling down was a little more difficult but he made it okay.




Next was Sean's turn and he had no trouble making up to the top. I wasn't planning on climbing but they talked me into it. While I suited up, Sylvia scampered up and down in no time flat. It was a great experience, although not a sport I would likely get into. I only made it about half way up but that was high enough for me. It definitely takes some planning and thinking ahead to figure out where your feet are going to go and where there are holds for your hands. Coming down was easy but a little nerve racking at first as you completely put your trust in the guy below . I figured Frank could be trusted so down I came. Aiden had another go at it after practicing to abseil a little. He made it a little farther this time. Sean also had another go but Frank didn't let him off easy, he suggested Sean try a harder route up the left side.


Once Sean was back safely on the ground, he ran Aiden and I home as Aiden had Bethany's birthday party to attend. We dropped him off and Sean dropped me at home while he went back to do one more climb and help Frank and Sylvia take down the gear.


Friday after school was Tyler birthday party. There were 15 or more kids running around at the park and fun was had by all. We were supposed to have dinner with Roz, Daryl and family afterwards but Roz accommodated us and decided to have it on Saturday night so we could all attend the school function. It was a great meal and a fabulous birthday cake.

Somehow, I feel different after Sunday's experience. It's as if I am a little more Australian than I was before Sunday. Like I understand this country better, have had an enlightenment, some kind of insight. Yes, we have been to a footy game. Sunday morning we were up early to head into Melbourne to catch a Bulldogs and Kangaroos game.

We went into Melbourne with Frank after leaving our car at Ararat. We got into Melbourne at lunch time and hooked up with Matt (Frank and Sylvia's son) and his wife Erin. We had a quick bite to eat before catching the tram to the MCG. There was lots about a footy game that we did not understand. Good thing Frank was there as our interpreter or we would of been really in the dark. All in all it was a good game with good action. The excitement really picked up as the Kangaroos pulled within 2 points of the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter. We were in the Bulldogs corner since that is Frank and Matt's team and we were sporting their kit (gear).

During the game we thought we might get to use the Aussie cheer we learnt back in October. It goes like this:

Aussi Aussi Aussi

Oi Oi Oi

Aussi Aussi Aussi

Oi Oi Oi

Aussi Aussi OI!

Aussi Aussi OI!

Aussi Aussi Aussi

Oi Oi Oi!!!

But after a discussion with Frank we realized we would need to go to a cricket game to use that one. We will have to try and remember it. The cricket game will have to be saved for our next visit. Really should of tried to get to one but the idea of sitting around for 8 hours did not appeal to me. And the 8 hours is just a one day test match. Usually a cricket match can go on for 5 days. I asked Frank if the wave was done at Footy and he chuckled. That he said is saved for a cricket match where the spectators need something to keep themselves entertained with. I guess it is not uncommon for many to bring beach balls and bat them around the stands for a bit when they get bored of watching the game. Sounds like we missed out on a cultural experience and I'm not just talking about the game. Next time;-) While sitting with other parents on Thursday nights watching the kids play cricket we have had many discussions about why we, as Canadians and part of the Commonwealth, know next to nothing about this game although we do have a national team. Go figure! It would appear we are one of the few countries that was part of the British Empire that did not get into this game in a huge way.

The fourth quarter was excellent and very exciting even for a novice. The final score was Bulldogs 80 and Kangaroos 65. Yeah, Doggies!

We grabbed takeaway as we hopped on the 6:08 train to Ararat and were home by 10 pm.

First Term

Since we are so far behind with this blog and time is running out, I have decided to lump a few things together in a single entry. The first term of school winds down on Friday. The students and teachers have a two week break before heading into term two. Each term is from 9 to 11 weeks long with two weeks holiday in between, except for at the end of the school year (which is christmas time here) there is a six week summer holiday. Aiden is not going to know what hit him next year when he no longer gets two summer holidays and many days off to go gallivanting around the countryside. I'm sure he'll adjust.


The start of this school year was Feb. 2nd and with that some changes at the school. The student enrollment was high enough to allow for extra teaching time so the classes were divided into three groups instead of two. Aiden is in the Prep/Grade 1 class, while the other classes are Grade 2/3 and Grades 4/5/6. With the different class splits, Aiden no longer has Frau Stoffel as a teacher but has Miss Miller. He has been quite happy in school this term and enjoying the various things he has been learning about. He was a little sad with not being in the same class as his best buddy, Joseph but has adjusted as there are a number of times when the grade 2's are with Aiden's class. And from time to time he misses Frau Stoffel but gets to have her teach him once in a while as well.


With the start of school again came cricket and swimming. The cricket season goes until the end of February so Aiden had about 4 weeks of cricket. Thursday after school it was off to the cricket grounds to learn how to bowl, bat and catch. He is becoming an all rounder. I wonder how these skills will transfer to baseball.

During the first two weeks of school the entire school along with the kids from Pomonal primary, participate in swim lessons. The first day is assessment day where students are then divided into six groups according to ability. The three higher levels have their lessons first followed by the lower levels. There is one qualified swim instructor and two teachers in the water with the groups and the teachers rotate groups every 15 minutes so each group will see each teacher once per lesson. The system works very well and is very cost efficient for the school. The parents are not required to pay any extra fees.


A week before the lessons started, it did not look good for Aiden making much progress as he still would not put his head in the water and cringed every time he was splashed. A small miracle happened the weekend of Jan. 30th. Aiden decided that it was 'cool' to put his head in the water and now has no calms about it. It was just like turning on a switch. One minute it was an impossible task the next – nothing to it. Will wonders never cease! So Aiden has become a fish in water. He made great progress in his lessons at school, becoming more confident in the water, learning to float on his front and back and even being able to swim 5 – 10m albeit with no style or form. Through out February every hot or even warm day found us down at the swimming pool.

On Feb. 20 Sean and I, along with a number of other parents were down at the pool to cheer on the kids during their swim carnival. The kids are divided up into two 2 houses: Zumstein (yellow) and McKenzie (blue). It is all in good hearted fun with a little bit of competition. The older kids are timed and selected for zone competition but for the younger ones it is all about the fun. There were noodle races, kick board races and piggy back races. Lots of yelling and cheering going on as those not in the current race cheered on their team mates. When the kids races were finished they had the parents join in on the fun by helping form a line from one end of the pool to the other. The ideas was to see how many times the team could pass a block of ice up and down the pool before it disappeared.

In March we heard about a gentleman in Stawell that gives lessons so we gave him a call and enrolled Aiden. Since we joined half way into the term and are leaving before second term, Mr. Patterson has been most accommodating and is giving Aiden lessons twice a week. It is a bit of a drive but I figure you can't beat 20 minutes one way compared to an hour back home. Aiden is doing extremely well. He has learned to tread water, survival back stroke and is in the process of learning how to properly do freestyle. I am amazed at his progress and Aiden is just loving it. It makes me wish we lived closer to a pool. You say ' What about the lake?' Aiden even gets cold with his wet suit on in an indoor pool that is at 26 degrees. Go figure!