Half way around the world

• • 10 Comments

Well, here I am in Australia and wow, what a stunning place!

I arrived on Thursday evening and after eating dinner, I promptly fell over - it was a very long flight, although not as gruelling as I anticipated.

Yesterday I ate breakfast outside, looking at the Pacific Ocean - it was slightly surreal to be able to text home and tell them this and promptly get a text back. Ah, the wonders of modern technology. Strange to think that many of the first convicts and settlers out here probably never saw or heard from their families again.

After breakfast, I went for a walk around Manley, where I'm staying with my brother and his girlfriend. I saw lizards, parrots and all sorts of birds that I couldn't identify. Also, spiders as big as my palm - eek! Apparently they're totally harmless but it was still unnerving to walk beneath them as they hung completely motionless in rows above me.

I've been taking photos but working out Flickr is a bit beyond me right now, so you'll have to wait on those. I'm also doing a travel journal, which is great fun. I haven't done any drawing yet but I've been writing and sticking in receipts and bits of memorabilia. I'll do some scans when I get home.

I also went paddling in the sea - in the rain! This struck me as deeply ironic, since it was beautiful spring weather when I left Bristol. It is a lot warmer here though, although all the Ozzies are complaining about it being 'cold'. It cleared up later on though and I managed to catch the sun and get a little red, that's the disadvantage of being 'a pale blue Scottish person', it doesn't take much sun for my skin to be very surprised at the concept! Fortunately I'm not sunburnt and I'll be more careful today. Apparently even overcast rainy days need sun cream here.

I'm hoping to go over to Sydney later today to see the gay Mardi Gras. That is, if my killer jetlag allows - I'll be fine for a few hours and then I'll suddenly start swaying and staggering as though I'm drunk and have to lie down and pass out.

Well, I'd better go, my parents and some family friends are just about to arrive, my brother is picking them up from the airport. It's really a little odd to be having a family reunion at the other side of the world.

10 thoughts on “Half way around the world”

  1. cally

    glad you've arrived intact and dipped your toes in the ocean, and also so glad to read of your son getting better, what a relief.

    i can't image the hefty jet lag you must have from such a huge flight, i used to get a bit from LA flights but that was only 13hrs.

    wishing you a good dose of adrenalin to help you make the most of your time there. enjoy the sun, the wedding, the reunion and of course - any and all art related fun to be had, especially meeting fellow bloggers.

    Reply ↓

  2. glad you've arrived intact and dipped your toes in the ocean, and also so glad to read of your son getting better, what a relief.

    i can't image the hefty jet lag you must have from such a huge flight, i used to get a bit from LA flights but that was only 13hrs.

    wishing you a good dose of adrenalin to help you make the most of your time there. enjoy the sun, the wedding, the reunion and of course - any and all art related fun to be had, especially meeting fellow bloggers.

    Reply ↓

  5. Sherrie Roberts

    Hi! I am considering an envelope journey as you did.
    I think it was very enlightening.
    Your Reunion sounds just Fabulous. Wishing you all a great down under time.
    Sherrie

    Reply ↓

  6. Sherrie Roberts

    Hi! I am considering an envelope journey as you did.
    I think it was very enlightening.
    Your Reunion sounds just Fabulous. Wishing you all a great down under time.
    Sherrie

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *