Great Southern Land

Marianne and I are partial to a bit of Icehouse (Australian band who had their heyday in the 80’s – like many of us), and I have used the name of their great song -which is now an Australian classic – for my title. Am attaching the link because it sums up my feelings on Australia as I prepare myself to leave it. (Mar check out the mullet on Iva – this is the 1989 version, it was originally released in 1982) http://youtu.be/uPvIH1XQ-uk

I have had the most fantastic holiday here and am so lucky to have the opportunity. The countryside is so much more beautiful than I expected and one place nicer than the last: Perth and Margaret River with it’s beautiful beaches and perfect conditions for growing grapes for wine; the Red Centre with spinifex grass, wild camels and dry riverbeds; Tasmania with it’s convict history and untouched landscape; Queensland with tropical beaches, crocodiles, beautiful butterflies and the Great Barrier Reef; or New South Wales which boasts the amazing Sydney harbour and the Blue mountains. And trees everywhere – Australia is covered in trees, mainly gum or eucalyptus trees. Sometimes you can smell them – it’s fantastic. And of course there is the weather. I actually saw Australia at it’s best weather-wise as it’s technically autumn which is like the best summer we could ever wish for.  The sun definitely contributes to the majesty of the place – it’s fantastic to wake up to blue skies pretty much every day, which is what I did. 

       
The food is fantastic here – a high standard wherever you go. I have had some lovely meals and the fruit is delicious – apples, melon and watermelons, mango and avocados, (or avos as they call them). It’s so out doorsy too – there are free public barbecues everywhere where you can go and cook your food and sit out and enjoy it. You probably won’t be allowed smoke after it but I suppose that’s a good thing. 

My biggest complaint (if you could call it that) is the roads – they are unbelievably slow and small. Most of the roads down the east coast are single lane with a double white line down the middle! The max speed is 110kph and it’s frequently 80. The lanes are very narrow which really freaks me out in the cities and crossing the Sydney harbour bridge was slightly nerve-wracking! I was on it before I realised where I was but I just kept going! Don’t panic – my new motto.  But they have some great road signs. Liked this one – the Aussie animals must be good at reading!!

I met some lovely people along the way and some friends and relations from home – ex colleague Stephen Keegan, my neighbour from Castleknock Brian Fogarty and his fiancée Suzanne, my fourth or fifth cousin Anette Wigan, and my lovely first cousin Seodhna Drew who lives with her family in Bermagui in NSW. It’s really great to see people so far away from home. 

I haven’t grumped much because I honestly haven’t had much to be cranky about (except maybe Chinese tourists arriving in every remote spot you think you have found).  Nothing has gone majorly wrong, I didn’t die or get sick and hopefully that trend will continue! And I learnt a lot, including that mosquitos will bite you through your clothes, the little bastards. Got chomped again last night in Seodhna’s house. Lesson of the day – stay indoors at dusk Julie! 

So farewell Australia – it’s been amazing. I will probably shed a tear for you tomorrow as I leave. Hopefully I will see you again someday. But it’s on to New Zealand for a whole new adventure. As the Aussies would say, awesome!!