'Selfie' at a cafe at Bronte Beach, the morning of 17th July 2009
First trip to Darling St, Balmain
It's ok, I'll keep the hyperbole and self indulgence to a minimum. The hyperbole, anyway.
But it does seem a good time to reflect on the past three years and in particular to remember what it was like to arrive here with a rucksack and without much of a plan, other than study for a semester at UNSW and apply for some jobs that may or may not exist. I would like to thank all those 'back home' (I tend to call both here and the UK 'home', depending on the context) who made it possible for me to make the move; the support of friends and family and contact - both frequent and occasional - continues to be important and connects me with that 'home'. It certainly got me through those first days, weeks and months.
For my first post when I arrived, click on the "My Picks" label, or see:
http://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7869783826963462433#editor/target=post;postID=80235695827182923
Tonight, Gill surprised me by booking a table at the Riverview Restaurant; coincidentally on Birchgrove Road where I first lived. In fact, Kit and I had a drink at the downstairs pub on my first evening. She also gave me a lovely card with a load of Aussie similies and euphemisms which I think was lovely - I actually have no idea as I don't understand most of the phrases (she posted her literary 'work' on facebook).
Still, it was a lovely way to celebrate and made me feel that at least one Aussie is happy that I made the decision to live in this corner of the world.
Gill's ode to Mark was probably one of the most romantic things I've ever read. :-) Worth the trip alone. You know you're missed back here though! x
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Vix! x
ReplyDeleteFor those who haven't seen it, here's Gil's Aussie prose..... [Language Warning!]:
You're not built like a brick shit house but you could talk under wet cement with a mouthful of marbles. I'm not pissing in your pocket, coz you do have a head on you like a sucked mango, but I can rest assured that a good root and a fart won't kill you. You've got a few roos loose in the top paddock, but you make me as happy as a bastard on father's day. You're about as useful as tits on a bull, but I reckon you're as rare as rocking horse shit! x
She hasn't seen what the rocking horse has done in the back toilet then?
ReplyDelete