From the airport

As I just lost in a poker tournament (not totally- won $11.02 for my 2.75 entry) it is time to finish the opening saga. Les and Trina are working and the kids are at school.

After having finally found each other we headed off to the car for the next experience- namely driving in Sydney. It is great- the road system is fiendishly designed to maximize the time it takes to get between any two points. Perhaps I am wrong, it perhaps is merely the virtual absence of design. I was terrified since of course everyone was driving on the wrong side. And of course I keep trying to get into the passenger side but keep approaching the driver side. I guess everything is opposite when one is down under. The traffic just has to be seen and relished if one is into pain.

(Oh by the way Les has a Honda crossover and Trina A Mazda 2. Les things his former Rav was better.)

I did encounter Sydney harbor on the trek northwest. Or at least I was told that that was what was above me in the tunnel. I saw nothing.

After some time (there were so many twists and turns I completely lost my since of direction) we arrived at Claros close. The google map view is of course quite accurate save that in the real street view as opposed to the google street view one can see the house.

The whole time I have been here I have found the natural sounds very pleasing. I know some are from birds, but of course not from birds I am familiar with. The cockatoos fly in and out frequently, usually to the feeder. When they are not in some smallish red and green parrots fly in. The cockatoos don't like that and drive them away. In the evening I was puzzled by a sound- I had forgotten the sound of cicadas.

In the morning I was warned to keep the screen door closed. And as I was playing poker the door was attacked by a sort of grouse-like bird. I gather from time to time other creatures like possums attempt entry. As I write there is the constant noise of birds- many from the cockatoos as they sound sort of like my late cockatiel Beau.

I think this house is rather typical of the area. The border between inside and out is rather blurred. There are no ducts and I think no insulation as there is no central heating and no air conditioning. It is all exceedingly pleasant- all that is below the ridge on which the house is perched is a reserve- whence the abundance of creatures.

Tonight it is baseball practice for Lian to which I shall go. Julius is rather pleased as he was appointed house captain. As yet he is unsure what will be expected of him. But Lian, as is typical of her, said she knew all about this. I listened to her as did Julius. But Julius was utterly skeptical of her account. The school is a public one but I guess the organization is rather like that in Britain.

In the next few days we will go further afield and I shall blog. But for know I think I will try another poker tournament.