But let's focus on the positive. We're going to Australia next month and I'm excited, and not just because we're swapping a good portion of Tokyo summer for a mild Queensland winter! We're flying on the 29th of June to Australia for five and a half weeks. We'll be spending about a week in Brisbane, our "adult home town" and several days in Toowoomba (100km west of Brisbane, my childhood home and the base of my family. Then we're picking up a six-berth motorhome and driving up to see David's family for a brief time and then into the unknown — a trip to the Red Centre of Australia, Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock).
One thing that is appealing about this trip is that where we'll be will be the total opposite of Tokyo. No buildings, people, or even much vegetation. No internet access either! We'll be able to see the horizon. It's been a long time since I saw the horizon without it being obscured by buildings. We'll be able to drive for hours without seeing traffic lights or pedestrians or bikes or trains! It's going to be an amazing experience and one that, we hope, will give us a mental break from the stresses of living in one of the largest metropolises in the world. Not to mention, helping us and our kids reconnect with the country of our nationality.
We're looking forward to lots of good Aussie barbies too (BBQ). It was one of the first Australian things that grabbed us when we came back last time: the smell of a barbecue!
After we get back from our long trip, we'll spend a bit of time with a supporting church south of Brisbane. Pop back to Toowoomba for a few more days and then to Brisbane before our departure back to Tokyo.
But for now, I'd better finish up this post and see if we can raise our mums on Skype on this special day!
7 comments:
What date will you return FROM Uluru trip?
Oh, I hope we have chance to catch up!Safe travels xx
Angela, we return from Uluru on the 28th, but won't really be in Brisbane much after that.
We're planning on having a "Meet the Marshalls" day in the park on the 7th of July. Place is yet to be decided, but it will be in our next prayer letter. There are so many people we'd like to catch up with, but a week is simply not long enough.
Don't be surprised if you do see bikes. There are a steady stream of back-packers who bike through the outback. I can only presume that it didn't look that far on the map to them. How they manage to carry enough water and cope with road trains I do not know. Enjoy!
I will be thinking of you, because I'm swapping a cold winter for 5 1/2 weeks of hideously hot Israel, Jordan and Greece. I must be mad.
Hope you have a wonderful time. Glad you are looking forward to contrasts!
Would love to see you if you have time in Brisbane.
love
Coralee
I hope you'll have an itinerary on your blog (which is how I get your news) before you get home: the newsletters don't seem to come out when your emails arrive. I'm sure you'll have an 'everyone come' occasion in Toowoomba (which has been freezing btw).
Motor-homing to the Rock is just WON-DER-FUL!!!! After Neil died last year, I went to the Centre for a long-time-dream break. My first sight was a bit of an anti-climax (It looked just like the pictures!) but all in all it was a great experience.
I'm sure it helped that I had a lovely motorhome. I hope yours is as nice. Let the children run around a lot, though, or they'll go stir-crazy.
Hi Judie,
That's a good idea, publishing our itinerary here. Our Toowoomba "meet the Marshall" day is billed as the 4th of August and will be inside :-)
I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that Neil had died. That's a sad loss for you. I'll miss seeing him when we see you again. But I am glad that you were able to make some positive memories not too long afterwards, that must have been helpful.
I wonder why our newsletters don't work when they come to you?
And yes, lots of running around, as well as lots of entertainment (a friend with six kids has just driven from Mt Tamborine to Darwin and recommends audio books).
Love from us, Wendy
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