beach and boat

The top 2 are from Bondi beach. Cindy is assistant to the sand castle making and on the left you can see one of Bondi's large waves knocking Mercedes off her feet.

On the left we are aboard the Endeavor in Darling Harbour.

Today we saw an 'outback' show. The one-man show featured some authentic digeridoo playing that allowed for question-asking and gave advice on playing the instrument. It was a really great show. We learned that the aboriginees do not tattoo their bodies, but rather mark themselves by branding. Ouch. Also, in the 60 000 years they've been in Australia they've never had a written language and still don't. They had about 400 groups around the continent and each had it's own language and customs. We tried our hand at playing the digeridoo after the show. I'd say Mercedes was the best at it.

Sean's Mum

Cindy took us to meet Sean's mum, Ann. She and her husband have been to Nova Scotia for a visit recently. We had a great time at her home. She got out the maps and the photos from their trips in Australia and gave us a lot of advice on places to visit and places not to miss and on where not to go in or near the water! She made us some tea. For the kids she had some lemon pop and a bowl of gummy worms and smarties. The kids were happy. She and Cindy put 7 candles on a cake for an early birthday surprise for Mercedes. We also had cookies. What a nice afternoon tea. Thanks Ann. It was very nice to meet you.

Hi all,

Here's a picture from the aquarium:

We got to the beach yesterday, finally. Cindy and Sean took us to famous Bondi beach. At 10am the beach had 100's of people swimming, surfing, and lounging. There were large waves and it was fun to watch the surfers. There were many lifeguards, both volunteers and professional. Lifeguarding is a career here. We had fun playing in the waves. Kyra and Mercedes both got summersaulted by some big ones a few times, they weren't too keen on that. One large wave pulled Kyra's bathing bottoms right off! Speaking of skinny dipping, cheered on by his friends, a guy ran down the beach and into the ocean stark naked. The lifeguard made him get out of the water but didn't kick him off the beach. It's quite an education the girls are getting here! We stayed too long and got sunburnt, especially Mercedes. Grammy's rescue cream fixed her right up though. We've learned we have to be more careful here, the sun is extra strong.

Today we went aboard the Endeavor, the same ship Boppy went on from Halifax to Bermuda. We saw where his cabin was but it was locked. We got a great tour of the ship and learned about the cat of 9 tails and the bag it was kept in (letting the cat out of the bag) and also how Captain Cook was killed by natives in Hawaii and then eaten. Again, quite the education. In the maritime museum we saw a boat made of beer cans, among other educational exhibits.

We've been doing a bit of motorhome shopping, sheets, utensils, etc. Still trying to figure out how we can not drive the motorhome here to the hotel, in the centre of the city, and still get all our stuff in it. Cindy, help!

The burger kings here are called 'hungry jacks'

Friday and Saturday nights the streets were busy and noisy with partyers until the sun came up.

Love to all!

photos

Finally, I've figured out how to put on pictures! Here we are with the Sydney harbour bridge. Photo by Kevin.

And, here is one of the fruit bats in Domain park. They were so cool.

motorhomes and ears

Oct. 25

We've got our motorhome and will pick it up next week. Kevin did a great job test driving the 4 berth class c mercedes sprinter. Driving a large vehicle, on the left, on unfamiliar roads, a tough job. When Cindy was driving us around I sat in the front and had to cover my eyes for the first few blocks. It felt so strange sitting on the left and being on the 'wrong' side of the road.

The girls got their ear's pierced. Kyra's been wanting to and she got them done like a champ. Mercedes didn't think she'd get her's done but after she saw Kyra do it she jumped in the chair and was also very brave. They were very happy with how they looked. The ladies doing it thought the girls had cute accents. I thought they had the accents. Unfortunately a few days later Kyra developed a nickel allergy and we had to take her earrings out. The doctor said she can get them redone in a few weeks. We found out she can only wear sterling silver and 18 or 24 carat gold. The good stuff.

This morning we moved to a new hotel for one more week. This time we're right in the middle of downtown on the 18th floor. It's a great location, close to everything. In China town we found delicious BBQ pork buns that we eat while the seagulls eye us hungrily. At the fish market Mercedes was very insistant on trying an oyster. She slurped it in and then it promptly came out. Brave girl for trying. She also got some cooked shrimp that still had eyes. She loved those.

We're finding people in Sydney very friendly and helpful. The always say 'mate' and 'no worries' Mercedes has picked up 'no worries'

We've also got transit passes for the week and can ride the buses, trains and ferries freely.

The weather's been a little cool but supposed to be hot again by Sunday.

The moon sits sideways in the sky here, like a bowl.

Cindy

Our friend Cindy King picked us up this morning and very kindly drove us motorhome shopping. We got to see a lot of the surrounding areas and some ocean views. At one stop Kyra, Kevin and Cindy saw some lizards, some bearded dragons (we hope your pet doesn't grow that big Connor!) and, get ready, a red-bellied black snake, one of Australia's venomous creatures. All this they saw down in a little ravine (looking down into it from the street where nothing could possibly get at them) by the road. Cindy has lived here about 14 years and has never seen one, so I think it was pure luck and not that they're everwhere. Mercedes and I missed the snake because of a potty break but saw the bearded dragon.

We didn't get back until 7pm. The kids tried to sleep but we made them eat first. I don't think I've ever seen them so tired.

We're having trouble getting internet access here (all wireless connections seem to be blocked) and so it may be some time between stories. Today I'm using Cindy and Sean's computer at their lovely home in Sydney. However, I do keep track of days in a journal and so you may get many days at once and nothing for weeks.

love to all

October 19th

We woke up at 4am this morning, the schedule's quite off. We went to the playground down the street before breakfast and found it very fun, more daring than we're used to. As Mercedes said, 'These Australians really know what they're doing!' It was also fun hearing birds songs we've never heard.

After breakfast we headed out on foot for downtown via a large park on the water with botanic gardens. The gardens were full of new-to-us plants and birds such as gum trees, fig trees, cockatoos, the praying ibis. Then the biggest surprise, trees full of fruit bats, or 'flying foxes' We couldn't believe our eyes! Some were flying, most were hanging upsidedown sleeping, scratching and stretching. Our friend Sean told us later they stop here on their migration around Australia. He said at night you might see them flying by the 1000s like black clouds over Sydney. How Gotham-esque.

Continuing along an ocean walkway we came around the corner to a classic sight, the Sydney opera house which inspired Mercedes to practice her opera. Walking around it we found a great view of the city and the Sydney harbour bridge.

Many pictures were taken this morning.

We continued on downtown and window shopped along Pitt street. We ate oranges from a stand, ate MacDonald's and Turkish kabab wraps, then walked through Hyde park on a different (shorter) route back.

There are mini house flies here that try to get in your eyes, ears, etc. Not too many though.

Back at the room at 1:30 we rubbed our sore feet then ventured out again to find a grocery store in King's cross. We found some interesting food items like chicken drumstick flavoured (and shaped) crackers. Of course we bought them.

Our greatest danger? :Looking the wrong direction for cars when we step off the curb. I think we've got it now though. No worries mate!

The kids crashed at 5, we followed suit around 8pm.

October 18th

We're here!

The trip was long, about 32 hours from start to finish. the flights were great. On Qantas airlines (which we would highly recommend) we each had our own tv with many choices. They provided snacks, pillows, blankets, ear muffs (aka, head phones but Mercedes called them ear muffs), eye pillows, and socks. Yes, free socks. The staff was friendly and professional.

At one point Otto lost his hearing aid. Otto was sitting behind us on the last flight. We searched, other people began to search. The flight attendant anounced the loss and offered the finder a prize. No one found it. Later on Otto complained to his wife of a discomfort at his side. She told him to see what it was. Voila, a hearing aid in Otto's shirt. His wife won a bottle of wine and Otto was told not to cause any more trouble.

We arrived in Sydney after 7am, bedtime in Nova Scotia. While waiting for our room at Woolloomooloo waters hotel to be ready we went walking on a warf on the harbour and saw moon jellyfish.

Our room is great and we're here for 7 nights. The weather is in the 20s, nights are cool.
Rice krispies are called rice bubbles, and Frosted Flakes:Frosties. If something is full it is 'chock-a-block'. Things are a bit pricey (3.50 for a cup of coffee?) and they drive on the left.
Mercedes says I love you and also that she's learned to make armpit farts. Talent. Kyra says she liked the complimentary peppermints on Qantas airlines.

Getting there...

No more lists, no more last minute details. We're waiting for our first flight on the path to Australia. Saying goodbye to friends and family was hard but it really hit home when saying goodbye to Grammy and Boppy at the airport an hour ago. Tears were shed and tensed backs were cracked with tight hugs.

We're all sleepy, having had restless dreams for the past few weeks. Hopefully this will mean good naps on the flights. Mercedes had a dream there were crocodiles surrounding our house and we had to make a run for the car. Kyra had a dream of crocodiles as well that she'd rather not re-tell. Cousin Jim has assured them it's safe to go to Australia.

We're very excited and we feel the adventure has finally begun.

Cheers to you all,
The Cuthbertsons

the countdown

The countdown is on, we leave October 16th. We have tons to do and are very excited.

We are especially looking forward to the wildlife of Australia. As the kids say, even the roadkill will be different!

The kids have many questions, about the tooth fairy, Halloween, Santa, things they rely on. We are all exploring this new (to us) thing called 'homeschooling', soon to be 'roadschooling'.

The support of friends and family has been, well, supportive! It helps for the kids to hear people say 'your taking the kids out of school and travelling on the other side of the world for 8 months? That's fantastic!' as I think they sometimes question our judgement.

Thanks to Boppy for picking up our mail and adopting Birdy. Thanks to Grammy for all her encouragement and for putting up with noisy chirping for the next 8 months. Thanks to all of you who didn't look at us like we were nuts, well maybe you did at first, but then you were supportive! Thank you. Thanks to Cindy and Jim who have been our Australia connection via email. Your advice and support has meant so much. Can't wait to see you.