FLOWER POWER

Not really a flower...but pretty barista leaf.

You'll have to excuse my fascination with all the bright flowers today but having just left the depths of winter in Canada and months since there was anything blooming outdoors, flowers everywhere you turn is a treat.
Sunday was a family day as we headed out to look at some used baby furniture then to the North Beaches area to see Jason's mom Shirley.  I had the tourist tour of the surfer beaches, big bucks areas and on to Palm Beach for lunch on the water.  People, people everywhere as the Aussies do enjoy their beaches but not packed like sardines as they are in many beach holiday spots.
Following are a few more of the flower power shots from the Sunday travels.  The picture of the lonely red boat is out by Scotland Island...this island has no vehicle traffic as the only way to get to your home is via the water.  Can you imagine how quiet and unpolluted the place must be... however, we did note the realtor's board by the dock had a lot of homes for sale on the island.  Maybe that row, or boat ride over in the rain, packing everything you may need (ie. groceries), or for company to come and visit is more of a pain than you would first think. You'll have to scroll down to see the pictures as I haven't quite got the techno savy to figure out how to put in tables to post horizontally multiple images. (Where are my techno geek friends and family members when I need them?)

It is time for us to get ready to head out... temperature is set to hit a high of 36 degrees this fine Monday morning in Sydney.  How do we cope with that humid, high temperature?  We're heading to the art gallery and shopping mall - anywhere we can find air conditioning.

View from Church Point to Scotland Island. That haze you may notice is bush burning on the other side of the bay.

Sunny Saturday in Sydney

Started the day with a proposed development open house/council walk thru neighboring properties across the street from where I am staying (Lilyfield/Leichardt area). The proposed high density male boarding house (under affordable housing initiatives) in this residential community obviously had many up in arms.  The mayor and councillors made it clear that the opportunity to voice opposition or support would be at the next Monday meeting and March 8 development meeting. Interesting to see NIMBY - not in my back yard - is a universal concern when it comes to development of a community. From the large crowd and police on site it is a touchy subject...but it didn't stop the kids from continuing a cricket game in the middle of the road through the meeting.
We then headed over to the organic farmers' market held at the school a couple blocks away - lots of vendors selling everything from brooms to orchids, fabulous variety of baked breads, goodies and steamed muffins (hot blueberry very tasty), all kinds of ethnic foods - tasty dim sum snack enjoyed, along with fruits and veggies galore, clothing, books,...obviously a place that will require regular visits in the future.
From there we headed over to my son-in-laws office to help with a bit of  paperwork.  Australia has a reputation for having high levels of unpaid overtime and we figured lending a hand would allow for a family day free of stress on Sunday. At 29 degrees outside and no air conditioning inside a couple of hours was enough for everyone.
We headed to Balmain area - one of Sydney's oldest neighborhoods - beautiful old sandstone  buildings from the 1800's with terraces, wrought iron balconies - alot of character. It also has some great restaurants and shops. We stopped and shared an order of salt and pepper squid at a cafe/restaurant called  "fundamental" along with a cold beer, iced coffee and iced cocoa (the iced drinks are made with ice cream - very creamy)  - and the calamari was great.
While in the area we indulged in an Aussie favorite pasttime - "community recycling" more commonly known as scavenging (an equivalent to garage sales but FREE). People just put old furniture, household effects out on the sidewalk and anyone is welcome to take what they want.  We scored a like new pantry type white cupboard in excellent shape and a third wicker look chair for me to use on the balcony. It didn't even phase Jason as he dismantled the cupboard like a pro with his handi-dandi bike tool in order to fit it into the car.
We finished off the day with a drive down the hills to the waterfront in Balmain then back to Lilyfield to watch the sun set over Ironcove Bay.
Nothing earth shattering but a nice balance of work and play for a day well spent. Life is all about finding that balance that works for you.

WELCOME TO OZ

Survived the fifteen plus hour flight from Vancouver to Sydney in relative comfort, considering...the day before my flight I wiped out on the ice getting out of my van, slipping half under the vehicle, bruised shoulder, hip and knee but fortunately nothing broken.  Of course sitting for any length of time resulted in interesting contortions to get up as everything would tighten and lock up, creak and crack until I was moving for a bit, about the same time I would go to sit back down again. Took an over the counter sleep aid that knocked me out for about seven hours, which shortened the flight immensely, barely had time to watch a movie and a few Canadian short films before we were landing. I was fortunate to have an empty seat between me and John, the retired Aussie on his way back from several weeks of skiing in BC, so could stretch out and spread out. Only real negative about the flight was that we went through a fair bit of turbulence, not the drop out your stomach kind, but enough that you had to stay belted up and they couldn't serve hot drinks...that means no coffee for hours, and hours, and hours.  All you caffeine addicts out there know what that means...withdrawal and the start of a blinding headache.
 As the cabin lights came up, the scent of brewing coffee just a couple hours out of Sydney, and a collective sigh could be heard from all those suffering from caffeine withdrawal as our "fix" came up the aisle with breakfast.
From a minus 23 to a plus 23, balmy temperatures in Sydney (they just survived a record breaking heat wave with temperatures up to high 30's-low 40's celsius). Bags arrived though one suitcase was badly battered, bottom ripping open. (Looks like I may have to contact the manufacturer as it is only the suitcases' second trip - new a year ago).
Happy to see daughter Rae and son-in-law Jason waiting to take over the baggage and drive me through Sydney's crazy traffic and on to their new apartment.  Next three weeks will be quality time with my Aussie family...and preparations for the June birth of a new grandson.
Love to all...

Long Lists - Short Time

Preparing to take off for six months or a year takes more organization than I seem to possess...I make the lists, start checking things off and soon find myself spinning in all directions with nothing getting "done". 
Who knew if you send one of your bill collectors more money than is owed they send it back, and you start back at square one. When you tell them you are sending the money - payment in advance of the bill - and they make notes on your account file, then it is ok...unless it is your insurance. They really don't want your money until the absolute last day for your renewal.  Post dated cheques and hope for the best for those guys.
I expect to come across a multitude of cultural differences in my travels but anomalies of speech have already struck with the set up of the blog.  My daughter and son-in-law in Australia thought it was named "Tales of an ewag e-gypsy" - apparently "ewag" is Aussie slang for "educated wild ass guess".  Now how's that for a commentary on my blog content.  Oh dilligaf! (another of those Australian slangs but you'll have to ask a friend about that one). Gotta love those Aussies - those I've come to know are always good for a laugh. As the experts say: a good belly laugh is great medicine. Did you have your "medicine" today?

February 12, 2011 - Trip Preparation

MY FIRST BLOG POSTING...trial run before the world travels begin...
Picked up my travel docs at AMA yesterday, visit to the accountant to take care of taxes (death and taxes - the two givens in life). Lunch with Ed and a final business meeting, then supper with siblings - Don, Linda and Laurie...by the way Don is in the early stages of growing a beard (currently at the street 'rubbie stage), though he assures me that once it grows in he will do the nice distinguished beard and mustache trim.  For now I just get to carry the image of my brother looking like he should be packing a brown paper bag with the cheapest bottle of hooch sitting on a curb.  We pigged out at Jumbo Dim Sum and chatted until the staff were almost all giving us the polite "we're trying to close - GO HOME!" look...you know the one as you have all been there at some point in time...enjoying the company, not wanting to call it a night.  Life is about capturing those moments...simple and grand. SAVOUR YOUR MOMENTS EACH DAY.