3 days to go

Where will he come from? Down the mast?

The good thing about being in Australia is that Father Christmas will come here before Europe and Africa.

(Personnal message to Phil Luker: Could you send your email address again)

Respect des traditions

Que peuvent faire des enfants, nes en Afrique du Sud et actuellement en Australie vers la mi-decembre : des petits fours de Noel bien sur  (butterbredle und schwowebredle) ! On s’active pres du four, malgre les 32°C ambiants. Delicieuse odeur a bord a l’heure ou je poste ces nouvelles ! MIAM...

Meme pas vrai!

Victor: "c’est Maman (ou Mamouss quand elle est la) qui fait les meilleures crepes du monde !" 

This is what we call hot!

Today the temperature was rising fast and there was no other option than ice cream for dessert. Anyone interested for some degrees to trade?

We went for a walk (too long considering the heat) along the river to reach the Queensland Museum. Along the way, we discovered some of the Brisbane attractions.

Up and about in the city

We moored Merlin in front of the botanical garden a week ago (27deg 28S – 153deg 01E). For now, it is a very practical spot to be. We haven’t met all our neighbours. But it appears to be 3 categories: the real long term ones living in floating shacks and having a kind of a boat just because it is in town and very cheap; the middle term ones, staying here for a couple of month and working on their boat before cruising along the Australian coast, the short term ones …like us, travelling around,…but we seem to be the only one of that kind at the moment!

We haven’t been impressed by the Australian weather (ok, it is La Nina). We have had lots and lots of rain. The dinghy was even transformed into a bath yesterday! However, our water tank is getting full, effortlessly.  

We went few times to explore the city centre. So many shops, so many people, so many cars, so many temptations too (especially for the kids in this festive season), so many things we forgot about. But what a pleasure it has bee to go food shopping so easily. We can buy what we want, just on our “door” step. I like the choices of fresh produces (leeks and courgettes again!). Our meals have changed from what we have been used to and I don’t have to bake some bread every day.

We’ve been for daily walks or ball games in the botanical garden. Not as big as the one in Cape Town but this garden has became our “energy release” spot which is good as we don’t have the pleasure of the sea activities any more.

Greg likes the evening views of the building with all their lighted windows, I miss the horizon. 

The ferries going up and down the river are quite active and numerous. We thought the wake would be annoying. However, being on a cat we don’t mind too much.

There is always a friend or a friend of a friend living in such a big city. So we were invited for a real super braai by Justin ad Jesse

and had a super time with our old “wine club” friends from Cape Town, Glynnis and Anthony.

Greg went for an English test on Saturday, compulsory for his work visa application (results in 2 weeks).

Time flies, even in the city!