Thanks to Elli you know we are down under. We had a good trip - everything went smoothly and it was 24 hours door to door. That included 2 1/2 hours at the Denver airport during which we had a nice hight tea of sandwich and coffee and 4 hours in LA during which we picked up bags, walked in soft eveing air to the next terminal, checked in easily, got through security in 10 minutes and read for 2 hours. Virgin Australia is a nice airline - good food and large servings, mood lighting, a 3 -3- 3 seating, and good service. We had 2 seats in the middle 3, I took a big pillow and was comfortable sleeping without putting my feet in Mom's lap! A sleeping pill gave me 8 hours of sleep out of the 13 3/4 hour flight. Saw some of Deliverance - enough to know I couldn't understand it - and watched several MTVs. Lady Gaga's was pure pornography by the definition I grew up with - how times have changed.
Elli and Rachael met us at the airport at 8 after we had a slow but pleasnt exit through customs. We declared we had been on a farm, the Pumpkin Patch, and had food to bring in. Ann had her shoes washed and they were very pleasant about the food and let us take it all in.
The drive to the house went through familiar territory that was unrecognizable in some ways. The road building is incredible both by the airport and on the edge of town where new roads, tunnels, and busways are being built. Looks like Boston during the 'big dig.' The house was very welcoming with flowers, new flooring, and bedside rugs in "our " bedroom. The trees have stopped blooming but they have grown a lot. We unpacked and were in the swimming pool in three hours on a glorious, Quuensland spring day - sunny, cool, and clear.
We have settled into the Aussie life. Two nights of sleeping pills ended any jet lag and we are doing full active days. Sunday Elli, Emily, Mom and I went to the South Bank markets and had lunch. Then we went to Roma Parklands -fairly new replacement for the old railroad yards in the center of downtown and beautiful - for a concert. The Brisbane Army band played for an hour and then the US Airforce jazz band from Honolulu played for an hour. They wre great and played some familiar jazz tunes including Route 66 - a favorite of Ken's. Home for grilled chicken. Most of the meals are done on the grill which is just outside the back door on the deck right next to the table - so well planned.
Today the paper's had a headline on the increasing cost of water in QLD over the next 8 years. Thirty minutes after I read it, a truck pulled up to deliver Elli and Ken's new water tank. Ken was here and has been installing it during the day. It will hold 750 liters of rainwater to be used for the laundry and that could be used for shower and toilet - a timely move. Getting it down to the backyard between the house and fence was incredible. The was about 2 inches of leeway until the area of the gas meter where the tank was 4 inches too wide until Ken and the delivery man were able to lift it up six inches and it got through thanks to the curve of the tank.
We've been to Chermside for shopping which included a Starbucks Mocha Latte - can't get too far away from Boulder habits! Have watched the NZ vs Australia rugby match and Mama Mia - what a great movie. I guess I should have paid a bit more attention to ABBA - I liked the music.
Rachael is taking final exams - I think she has only one more and graduation is Friday night. Next week is mostly fun and games including the graduaton formal. Emily had a test today and has a few more before she finishes just before Thanksgiving.
That brings you all up to date. I will try to proofread this - it sure needs it. If Emily gets home in time, I might add a photo but I can't handle it with out assistance on this machine (or probably any machine.)
Love to everyone. Dad
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