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.