We are finding waking up a very different experience in this Aussie neighborhood compared to mornings in Boulder or Niantic. The sky begins to lighten about 4:30 andthe light is greeted by the first birds, often an u
nusal one that whistles in a rather deep tone and then gargles to a higher pitch. A half dozen crows respond with loud caw-caws that pierce the ear for several minutes before they fly on to another yard where they repeat the message. Various assorted voices then join in, often a cooing dove or two who provide a continuo for ten or fifteen minutes. Finally the chickens make themselves heard with low guttural gurgling. Soon a footstep is heard upstairs - a soft movement as activity returns to the house. Crows continue to add their frantic calls as the chickens quiet down. Gently running water is a reminder that the school day will be starting soon. A muffled rumble announces the first departure as the gate adds a brief squeak, the motor bike exits, and near quiet descends sometimes broken by a growl or whimper as Chai seeks attention. The chimes send out their first notes of the day as a slight breeze stirs after the calmness of the night. The notes are mellow and rich providing rich sound without melody. A swish announces the sliding door is opening as the next departure looms. A moment of metal grinding metal punctuated by a few words in Vietnamese assures that the neighbors will be at work on time. The doves provide another chorus of gentle cooing, a bark punctuates the ear piercing call of the magpies arriving for their morning bath, then silence descends as the soft purr of the engine says the house is now empty except for the stay in bed guests. A look at the clock reveals 8, time to begin another day with exercises and breakfast on the deck. Another warm, cloud and sun filled day has begun.
nusal one that whistles in a rather deep tone and then gargles to a higher pitch. A half dozen crows respond with loud caw-caws that pierce the ear for several minutes before they fly on to another yard where they repeat the message. Various assorted voices then join in, often a cooing dove or two who provide a continuo for ten or fifteen minutes. Finally the chickens make themselves heard with low guttural gurgling. Soon a footstep is heard upstairs - a soft movement as activity returns to the house. Crows continue to add their frantic calls as the chickens quiet down. Gently running water is a reminder that the school day will be starting soon. A muffled rumble announces the first departure as the gate adds a brief squeak, the motor bike exits, and near quiet descends sometimes broken by a growl or whimper as Chai seeks attention. The chimes send out their first notes of the day as a slight breeze stirs after the calmness of the night. The notes are mellow and rich providing rich sound without melody. A swish announces the sliding door is opening as the next departure looms. A moment of metal grinding metal punctuated by a few words in Vietnamese assures that the neighbors will be at work on time. The doves provide another chorus of gentle cooing, a bark punctuates the ear piercing call of the magpies arriving for their morning bath, then silence descends as the soft purr of the engine says the house is now empty except for the stay in bed guests. A look at the clock reveals 8, time to begin another day with exercises and breakfast on the deck. Another warm, cloud and sun filled day has begun.From there the days have been filled with a wide variety of things from swims to today's visit to Rachael's school where she gave gifts to several teachers and we toured, by car, Queensland University of Technology - one the colleges to which Rachael has applied. We then drove to the other end of the city to deliver some after prom clothes to a boy's home where tonight's "after the prom" party will be held. Several girls will be arriving here in the late afternoon to dress and be delivered to the event by Ken. The seniors had no school today - time to prepare for the event! Actually, this week is basically marking time til exams are corrected and diplomas prepared for handout after the senior breakfast on Friday - the last offical day of school. Of course, graduation, where 'certificates' were distributed, was last Friday so it is all rather confusing.
We have had several very interesting discussions on college and I learned some things this morning when I just walked in to the counselor's office at Kelvin Grove while Rachael was saying thank you to teachers. As I keep saying, the two systems are so different it
makes it very interesting comparing what grandchildren are/will go through.We understand there is snow in Boulder - we'll see that soon enough. Meanwhile, we've been enjoying some lovely weather here. We hope it holds for the weekend when Mom and I are going to visit friends on the Gold Coast and get in the ocean.
Chai and buddy in the "Puppy Park"
Bath time.
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