BACK IN OZ

WELL INTO MY FIRST WEEK...the journey has been long and varied and I am now well and truly "down under", almost diametrically through the center of the earth from where I started, driving from Painted Post NY to Basalt CO, then flying to San Francisco (SFO) to enjoy time with friends there before departing.

MY GOOD FRIEND, Dr Francis Wright, went with me to SFO via BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport), virtually from one end of the Bay area to the other, helping me with my now quite heavy suitcases. How good to have friends who provide support at just the right times! The flight lasted about 14 hours leaving around 11 PM and arriving in Sydney 6:45 AM. I passed the time reading, dozing, talking with my young seat companion, a geology student at University of Washington State, or walking about the cabin getting in knee exercises. This also provided protection against the possibility of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), for old codgers like me a serious threat during long periods of seating.

Once in Sydney, I was very much in the arms of my family…my son Andrew and his two sons, my nephew Peter and his family, and my brother, Norton.

I seem to have stood up to my travels pretty well and enjoyed a walk around the block with my nephew, the surroundings ablaze with spring flowers and smitten with the loud sounds of the many birds, on what became increasingly a perfect Sydney spring day.

Thanks for the many good wishes you nave sent me by email. This is a serious time in my life…as Elizabeth (Peter’s wife) remarked, ‘Robert, you are virtually homeless for the time being!’ So then to the work of settling in and settling down. First on the agenda is the purchase of a car. Another of my nephews, Zintis, a qualified mechanic, is assisting me. We have already had a look at one; we make a smooth team. I engage the owner while Zintis goes about his careful inspection and evaluation.

My knee continues to improve and I am able to go down stairs symmetrically now. Getting in lots of walking.

Not much more of interest for the time being. Regards and good wished to you all.