ROBERTO DOWN UNDER.

MY LIFE HAS SETTLED INTO A PLEASANT ROUTINE. I manage to get in good walk each day, usually first thing after two cups of coffee, either along the cliff tops overlooking the sea (if at my sister's) or around the area where my daughter lives, if with her and her family. The bicycle has added a more demanding dimension, especially if at my sister's, as the hills thereabouts can be quite demanding. A 'to do' list is appearing as I survey the work yet to be done on her house. My daughter has a list too, but not so demanding so I can be more relaxed.

I though you might like this picture of the Aussie Magpie snapped while on my suburban walk, apparently studying a young Bottle Brush. This is alongside the light rail line that so conveniently runs close to where my daughter lives and then into downtown , or to the beach, depending on direction.

The beach terminus, by the way, as at a seaside place called 'Glenelg', the only town name palin-drome of which I am aware.

The Queen has been down here also, at least her fourth visit to this land. She did not come to Adelaide thereby avoiding getting in my way...that she has done three times so far, once in Adelaide, once in Melbourne, and once in Brighton UK. "What's with all these crowds?", I have asked these three occasions. "Its the Queen, silly.", has come the reply.

One of the reasons she has visited is to lead the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, an auspicious event unlikely to be noticed by the non-Commonwealth world*. Sixteen nations make up the Queen's Realm', including the UK, Canada, and Australia; these have the Queen as their nominal head of government. There is a bunch of other countries in the Commonwealth of Nations, all united by their love of the game of cricket (with the exception of Canada, although it is played in British Columbia)

Australians are quite given over to gambling. Currently there is a move by the government to require poker machines to have players nominate the amount of money they are prepared to lose. Once they reach this amount, the machines will cease playing for them. Given the many tales of gambling induced tragedy, one could hardly fault such a move. Predictably, the gambling business is up in arms against this measure. One gambling magnate said that present measures are adequate to prevent abuse and that other more effective means could be devised. A statement likened by one commentator as similar to a well-known African dictator speaking for democracy!

Less controversial is the famous Melbourne Cup Day, the culmination of a several weeks of horse racing. Aussies do love the horses. Some are a little miffed that the Queen, herself a prominent owner of racing horses, is not hanging about for this event (although she is 'bouncing the ball' to start an Aussie Rules football match over in Perth before she departs...akin to the President pitching the first ball at a baseball game). What is remarkable is that, on the first Tuesday in November, the nation will virtually stop to listen to the broadcast commentary, or watch the televised race. In offices everywhere, there will be the 'Cup sweep" when hopefuls will contribute a dollar or two, maybe to take home small winnings. Well, one has to be in it to win it! Your name is attached to a horse's name drawn at random from a hat and you may be lucky enough to have scored the winner.

After 'The Cup', the nation will settle down back to normal.

Apart from Adelaide, that is. Here in a couple of weeks, the Great Christmas Pageant will occur. Colorful floats depicting fairy tales and Christmas stories will emerge, all spruced up, from storage and parade through the city streets. This is almost an international event, attracting many visitors from around the world, and many thousands of children and their proud parents, all lining the streets and awed by the procession. The last float will have on board good old jolly Father Christmas and a gang of helping gnomes and fairies. This will deliver the venerable gentleman to the Magic Cave in the basement of one of the large downtown stores (the event sponsor), thereby opening the way for all the other stores to produce their St. Nicholas clones. Finally, the Season of Joy will be resoundingly upon us.

How I loved this event when a child, growing up in this fair city. Now I avoid it (like the Queen).

The Queen, in her royal way, is quite the trooper, even likened by some to having rock-star quality. There is some agreement that her visit may have set back somewhat the occasional urge of Australians to become some sort of republic. This can only be determined by a nation-wide referendum, involving a majority of the people and at least half of the states. This may go on the back burner during the present Monarch's lifetime, or until she abdicates. Long live the Queen?

*I take that back...it did get a mention in the latest NY Times at least.