From Spring to Autumn

Hello dear friends. The last post, I see, was written in November during Spring, down under. Summer blew through Australia with a rampage of rainstorms and floods. There was not a day without some clouds and drizzle at least from the day I arrived last August to the third weekend in January. The sun finally came out to give us some summer days in the high 20s degree C (the 80s and 90s degree F), but the rain kept falling now and again every few days. Northern Australia was drenched and the floods took out part of Brisbane, leaving many homeless. Prince William is touring the wreckage today.

ANU campus during the floods

Two days following Christmas, my daughter and her friend arrived for a three week visit. We started in Sydney and watched the New Years Eve fireworks from Macquarie Point in Sydney Harbor, best spot in the Harbor, so they say. It was an impressive show! But so was the scenery. The entrance to the Harbor is beautiful; the water is clear and the boats out sailing number in the hundreds. People get around on the ferries, which run quite regularly and on the holidays are packed to the gills. We took ferries to Manly Beach, just north of the Harbor entrance, and to Watson's Bay, on the south side of the entrance. A quick bus ride took us to famous Bondi Beach, ye olde tourist trap and surfer spot.

South Head, Sydney Harbor Entrance

All of Sydney is crowded. I hear that Sydney itself covers more land mass than any other city in the world, counting all the burbs, but of course, the people density isn't as large as other cities of the world. Nevertheless, it feels crowded and success getting somewhere by car depends a lot on how well you know the city and what tome of day it is. It's a great walking town; there's lot to do in city center and lots of fine good Asian food.

We spent three nights camping out in the Blue Mountains at Glenbrook, west of Sydney, and enjoyed breakfast and lunch at the Glenbrook deli. The deli's a good place to get some very good food. The next day we drove down to Canberra, deciding against a campground at Cave Beach because of the rain. Looks like a nice place though, as you can see.

After a day of rest, we packed up again and drove down the coast, stopping overnight at two campgrounds along the way. I must say that the beaches are as spectacular as they are varied. Some are wildly secluded while others seem to be city dweller stomping grounds during the summer. The most beautiful part of the coast, I thought, was just north of Eden, aptly named, I might add.

Kangaroo in the Blue Mountains

I fell in love with Melbourne, that attempt at European simplicity and timeliness of style. The cafes pour out onto the streets and alleys at night, and the food is delicious, far better than any I've had in Canberra, and most of what we had in Sydney. I prefer the Italian section, out past the old gaol (jail) where Australia's first bandits and criminals were hanged from the gallows. Older buildings can't be more than 110-120 years, but they delight the visual senses. The old churches especially have that old European glow about them with the stained glass and the gold leaf. Melbourne wouldn't be such a bad place to live for awhile, I should think.

We stayed downtown on Flinders, across the street from the old rail station and walked or took the tourist trams up around the circuit. Australia began its democratic experiment in Melbourne when the Queen opened up the Australian Parliament. Politics eventually moved north to Canberra, but the Old Parliament building is worth the time; the guides give a good tour. I especially liked Melbourne University with its quaint older buildings reminiscent of Harvard, but of course, not so old.

Mallacoota, South Coast

The drive back to Canberra along the central highway took a good 10 hours. There is no direct passage through the Brindibellas to Canberra that wouldn't take longer.

Now I yearn to see the Great Ocean Highway along the coast to the west of Melbourne, but only after I explore more of the beaches along the southeast coast. I'll try to get another few posts up over the enxt few weeks.

I do hope you are all well, and enjoying life.

Old Parliament House, Melbourne

Rail Station, Flinders St