As in any other country in the world, country Australia is different from city Australia. One glaring difference is the price of goods. In the U S there is some difference but not a dramatic one IF you are close to a "city" or major highway. Not so much in Australia. To start with, for a (former) small town guy, the price of anything in Aussieland is shocking. U.S. Americans are always worried about the price of gasoline and talk about that almost as much as about the weather. So - petrol here is 'about' an average of $1.50 per liter (litre in Aussie). There are 3.8 litres per U.S. gallon so that makes $5.70 per Aussie dollar per gallon. Then convert to U S dollar at $.97 per and that is rounded to $5.80+ per gallon. That is for unleaded, the higher octane petrol goes way up from there. So much for moving to here to get away from all the election madness in the U S.

Probably all of you have seen pictures of the Australian bush. Most of those pictures come from the professional media where they are paid to do a movie or a travelogue. The true Aussie bush is rougher than what either of those two extremes show and not all of it is lush and tropical. The tropical part is in the north but from midway down it is similar to what the U S was many, many years ago.

  We went on a bush walk in the Pilliga Forest on a trail the National Parks and Wildlife Service had made. At every significant point there was some sort of art figure. One of the most impressive to me was a bronze statute of an Aboriginal father with his son. The father is pointing down the canyon showing and telling his son about how that is their hunting and living place. This particular clan/tribe of Aborigines had lived in this area for centuries before the Europeans came and pushed them out. It is theirs once again.

The walk through that part of the forest was quite good as every so often there was another monument to the Aboriginal people. The carved and metal structures were of the finest of great quality.

  Australia has a small population so they haven't ruined all their forested lands yet. One can drive for miles without seeing a habitable structure. One can, however, see where settlements had been tried or farms had been abandoned just as in the U S and many other countries. If you have read any Australian stories, early day fiction or history, it is easy to hear the ghosts speaking. The hardships they had to endure were much the same as our early “settlers’ except they still had the royal system in place. They were pretty much owned by the crown which is a concept so foreign to Americans we cannot grasp what it was like.

  Having been through many small Australian towns and am now living just outside one, I can see a great difference between this one and one of similar size in the U S, I am not familiar with European small towns so I will keep this comparison to the U S and Australx. Coonobarabran is a town of just over 3,000 people. The main street is full of businesses, there are people there every day and there are very few empty store fronts. It is a busy, bustling place that is fun to visit. So far, all shop people have been very friendly and helpful to an old guy who cannot get their strange coins sorted out.

Even if one looks the correct direction before crossing a street one would have to be careful. There is so much traffic the main street is always busy. I have not seen any area where the houses are run down and shabby. It appears that the people here have some civic pride and keep their houses in good nick (sic). Even in the progressive metropolis of Broken Arrow, OK there are run down sections and run down houses. Makes one wonder about the difference.

On another note, the Australian government has just declared that the family of every high school child would receive $820 per child for school expenses. Every elementary child’s parents receive half that. Compare that with the U S where we have many politicians trying to do away with public education. I think the Aussies have a better handle on education.

I looked out the window and what did I see, two little black eyes looking back at me. My best guess is that anywhere this is being read, on the north top of the world, there are not juvenile kangaroos eating the grass in your lawn. This morning I just looked out the living room window and there he was - or she was. I am not really great with telling the difference unless one is carrying a smaller one in her pouch and then I am an expert. Winnie the Poo stories to the contrary, mommy kangaroos are not effete looking and have pretty, long eyelashes. They look like kangaroos.

Two days ago at an early hour, I was walking across this property and looked up and saw a mob of kangaroos streaking toward their day time home. It is amazing how fast roos can travel. It is also amazing that Australian natives could get close enough or be fast enough to catch them. As I has read and been told, Kangaroo meat was a staple of their diet so they must have had some tricks and skills that we moderns do not have. I certainly don't as I didn't even see them until I saw this line going toward the mountain at their tremendous speed. They were truly a sight to see. I found out later that roos run in a line. I suppose they figure the hunters will get the slow ones at the end and the fast, big guys will make it safely home.

Probably 99% of the people reading this have never seen a kangaroo in the wild; but you should.

Also today I drove the 16 kilometers into town. Now for you directionally impaired, the Aussies, as does their original British overlords, drive on the left side of the road. Why any civilized nation would do that is beyond me as it causes some major problems. Just imagine driving on the "wrong" side of the road and looking at your speedometer which is registering about 80 and a car comes around the curve ahead of you on the wrong side and going very fast.

Having a car smash in a foreign country is enough to ruin your whole day so one has to be careful. Here in Coonabarabran ( I am NOT making that up) the people park at a 45 degree angle and put the back to the curb (kerb), That's correct, they back in to park. It makes for some interesting scenes as their main street is very busy.

We parked on a side street and walked all over town only moving the car when it was time to grocery shop and then go home. Walking makes it a great deal easier to pass someone on the correct side or change sides when someone is coing directly toward you. Also, when you walk all over the shopping district you do not have to keep backing into the curb/kerb. Once a day is enough.
Fortunately, the grocery store had "standard" parking one just pulled into. I got that one correct in only one try. OKJ, I had to drive slowly around the parking lot until I found an easy one to get into as i was sitting on the wrong side.

Then it was 16K (10 miles) the other way on the wrong side of the road again. If I keep coming over here I may start a national campaign to change that to the way God intended.

I shall attempt to publish pictures on my blog.

Wellsir, we were worried and not looking forward to a five hour layover in Dallas. It didn't happen, nosir, not at all. We had six hours in Tulsa. The plane from Dallas had mechanical problems. Good, I didn't want to fly in it anyway. So they finally started boarding people in Dallas to come to Tulsa. There were more mechanical problems.
Now when the plane finally arrived, did they think we would all cheer? Not bloody likely. But we did get on and we did finally leave. People all over missed many connections but, fortunately as it turned out, we had a five hour window so we were good.
Our plane from Dallas to Brisbane was a little over half full and there was plenty of room for everyone. Many people hit the center section and had all four seats to stretch out in. I got to the back and grabbed one ofr the full rows only to be told by a cabin attendant that part of it was taken. Why she saved it for a young guy I do not know but she did.
I tried sleeping in two seats but couldn't get in a configuration with my old, tired body that was as confortable as my personal one seat with the back let back. So I stayed there. I wanted to try to sleep so I am mad at the cabin attendant.
We landed in Brisbane to refuel, let off a few passengers and take on a few. WE had to go through security again in Brisbane but, as in most countries, we did not have to undress and remove down to the bare skin as we do in the U. S.
When we finally landed in Sydney we were sent through the mildest entrance you can imagine. Having been there several times I am sure they recognized me and said, "Hey, there is Chelsea, put him on the fast track as he is a VIP.
You can put whatever initials you want to that.
We are now in Connabarbran and have already seen many Roos. More about that later as I hear people approaching.
The days have been super beautiful.
More later.

Wellsir, it is the afternoon before we are to leave and I feel nervous. What has me thinking "nervous" is the fact I seem to be ready.  Between the two of us we are taking one suitcase and one carry on. OK, I have a camera and iPad & Herself has a large purse but TWO PIECES and one of those is a carry on. UNREAL!
The fact that we have been to this particular place twice and know what to take and have winter jackets, etc there sure makes a difference. It also makes me nervous as I know we should be taking half a ton of stuff. I keep finding things to take and stuff around so we better leave soon or I'll have half my desk there.
Our relatives are to pick us up at the air terminal in Sydney, the last I heard, so that will make the trip much easier. We had originally planned to take the train to Central station and catch the Blue Mountain Express to Hazelbrook. At H'br'k we would be met and the next morn we would go to Coonabarabran. I didn't mind that as I do like to ride the trains. However, this way we will have two more days with bro & sis-in-law and still get to see the other sister.
So - right now I am in a holding pattern and I don't hold very well.
I'll try to get back tonight after I check in on line to Qantas.
My little guy is here and supper is ready.

Travel considerations

                                               Being creative about traveling
Getting ready for a trip always has some moments of decision. Getting ready for a long trip adds to the stress of deciding about  things to take. Getting ready for a very long trip to the opposite weather conditions adds may just add a great deal of stress. Yes, we are going back to Australia and it is approaching winter down there.
      Some of you will remember that I was in Broken Hill, Australia when Oklahoma was going through its record breaking heat. I sent back messages about shivering and the cold and I never received any responses that were kind and sympathetic. The only messages I received were more of a “shut-up!” mode and some hinted at ... well, we shall not go there.
      Yes, I knew it was winter there but Broken Hill is in the desert region and should not have been bone chilling cold. It should have been just medium cold. As you have guessed, I survived and learned a valuable lesson. Never trust the internet to provide useful information about weather - or politics. After about a week the weather turned Oklahoma proud and I could sit in the sun and enjoy my cuppa whilst reading a novel. We Aussies do that a lot.
      Now that the airlines know they can gouge you for almost everything, packing has become an art form. The weight of a bag has a great deal to do with your travel. Traveling internationally will allow one to carry on heavier pieces and to ship two pieces of luggage. In economy, the weight limit is 50 pounds. Now that sounds like a great deal but if you are doing international travel you may expect to take more than one change of clothes. Add in all the “stuff” the average woman needs for her up keeping and you can see the limit can be reached in a hurry.
      Sure, you are correct that you can take two bags internationally, but how would you plan on handling 100 pounds of luggage plus your carry on plus all the papers you need. I have been in air ports, uhh, excuse me, “terminals” in several different countries and almost all of them do not give a flip about your convenience. The terminal people are much more interested in having a good shopping area for you to pay 50% more to get hospital gift shop quality junk. The international terminal in Sydney is a case in point.
      After you arrive, you must go about eleventeen kilometers to get to the processing centre. Its official name is “customs” and you need to be able to follow the herd to find it. You should pick out someone who acts/looks as though they have been there before and try to keep up with them. Aussies do not do signage very well. Then there is the problem of getting to your next flight after you finally get through customs.  Sometimes you may have time to get you bag from the luggage place and still get through customs without having heart pounding stress trying to catch your next flight.
      “Ah,” you say, “but modern luggage is easy to handle. The pieces have those wheels that turn and allow you to go about anywhere.” My answer is, fifty pounds weighs fifty pounds no matter what container it is in. If all you had to do was pull it along, then that would be great. But do not expect a genii to appear at the counter and lift you bags onto the scales nor off the carousel when you claim it.. And do not think that all airline employees are from Canada and are friendly and courteous. Somewhere you will meet up with Hilda the Hun and she will do a number on you. You will learn to smile through the tears of frustration.
      Here in the USA we have surrendered most of our personal rights to the security laws. The people dressed in those uniforms can treat you in a manner that was totally inappropriate not too long ago. I have been patted down by more men than I ever thought would happen to me when I was growing up. I left a handkerchief in my pocket once and had a 10 minute investigation. One other time I must have moved during the Xray process as I got to go through the patting again. If I were of the proper mindset I might enjoy that but having a man run his hands up and down and patting me places is not my idea of a good way to start a vacation.
      Ah, but then we get to do it all over for the trip home

1. National Bunny Cake Day
2. Do not groan
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Maybe someone will go sailing and report back to us.
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     National Bunny Cake Day, which started about 20 years ago, was celebrated this year at Sandbur Acres.  At that time we had a German exchange student living with us and she was not as attuned to the Easter Bunny as American kids. She showed me a picture of a round cake decorated as a bunny face and wanted to know about it. So, “Judy,” plus the world’s first cutest grandkid and I built that first Bunny Cake following the directions from the magazine. It turned out so well that Granddaughter One and Two built one the next year. This went on for a number of years, adding people as people came along and it became a tradition. 

      It seemed a natural progression to have the Bunny Cake Day celebration at the cabin this year as there is lots of outdoors where kids can run, yell, whoop and holler and acres of room to hide eggs. I had gathered up four kites, one pair of stilts and a croquet set for games to play/use after the cake building. Now, keep all these things in mind as this unfolds.

      The first major “decision” revolved around whether the bunny should be a boy or girl. One year grandkid      2 decided enough was enough. The cake had always been boy so...  She even showed us how to “just do this and change that” and -voila-we went from Peter Rabbit to Patsy Rabbit.  This year, since the boys outnumbered the girls, after a discussion “we” decided we would have a girl rabbit. Imagine that.

      You may guess that my culinary forte is not cake baking. Even with, at times, 10 or 12 helpful hands it took a while to get the cake mixed up. Yes, you are giggling that taking a mix from a box to a bowl is child’s play. That was one of the problems; the children wanted to play. There were the little fingers that kept attempting to sample the mix after the beaters were turned off. 

      The mixed batter was carefully placed in the pre-heated oven and because of my past life as a band director, I was able to get it in the oven with no injuries to any helpful participant. Band director (?), you may ask. During marching season I had to give instructions at times further than half a football field distance away, That skill came in handy last Sunday.

      When the cake was in the oven the kids disappeared to do kid things, none of which had anything to do with my planned activities. I wanted them outside but, this being the 21st Century, they were inside playing electronic games. So I started cleaning the kitchen. As I turned around to place some items in the sink, I discovered a container of eggs on the counter. Nice, fat, clean and very fresh eggs for the cake which was merrily baking away in the oven. Yes, the words “UH OH” did go through my mind. But sometimes silence is golden so I decided I would be gold. However, it is hard to hide a wire egg basket.

      OK, the cake finished baking and the decoration started. The term Chinese Fire Drill comes to mind. I do not know who all those alien children were who invaded my cabin but they definitely could not have been mine. They all had ideas of their own and their suggestions were couched in a manner expecting immediate results.  First off, the licorice rope candy used to make various parts, was being consumed by copious amounts none of which were going toward the bunny.

      The cake was a sodden mess and it was almost impossible to cut the pieces. One tall boy person kept wanting to eat the frosting rather than spreading. The littlest one got to place the nose. Others all got to do some major thing and finally, we had a Bunny Cake. Probably the worst looking one I have ever done. We did get to take pictures before it disappeared into mouths. They even got to decide which part of the cake they wanted to have as their piece. 

      Then we had egg hunts, confetti eggs, and general hilarity and good feelings because we are young, the sun is out, we can holler and run and we got to eat lots of sugar. The cake didn’t work as I wanted, my schedule was backwards and I was dead tired, the wind prevented kites from being flown, no other game got played and yes, it sounds like a really bad day. 

     We loved it. I can hardly wait until next year.

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2. Do Not Groan
Q. What do Easter Bunny (cake) helpers get for making a basket?
A. Two points, just like anyone else on the team.
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