Alive and Well in Brisbane

Hi Everybody,

I guess it's been a long time since the last posting.  It will be a week or two more until we get our internet connection hooked up, so communication may be spotty for the next while.

Well today is Australia Day, the national holiday.  We are planning to got to the festivities by Storey Bridge and then go to a friend of Barb's for a BBQ.

We made it to Brisbane after way too may hours of flying.  The new place is pretty much set up.   We have been stimulating the Australian economy by buy furniture, a fridge, washing machine, bicycle, computer and a car.

The "new" car is a 2003 Toyota Echo in British Racing Green.  His name is Nigel because it sounds very British and Racingish.  It is a bit odd getting used to shifting with the left hand though.

It has been very hot here, 30 or above everyday.  January is 'supposed' to be 40-60 degrees colder than that.  The apartment doesn't have air conditioning except for the bedroom, which does make sleeping comfortable.  Slowly getting used to the heat.

The last few weeks have been filled with surreal moments; we have palm trees outside our balcony, I see parrots flying around regularly, there are bats the size of  crows (fruit bats) andI have to remind myself to look to the right first when I cross the street.  I am enjoying the country and the people very much.  This all will take a bit of getting used to.

We are getting a pallet of household stuff being shipped down from Edmonton.  I has been more difficult than I thought to get everything arranged.  Right now the pallet is sitting in the warehouse of where I used to work taking up too much space.  Hopefully it will be out of there and on is way here very soon.



Happy Australia Day to everybody