On Friday Ian dropped my at the station and got me organised on the train, he gave me some home made cookies too which were great.
I found the CVA office easily as Judy had given me good directions and then I met 3 other volunteers - Ayami from Japan, Cory from Pennsylvania and Michael from AUstria. There are about 18 volunteers staying at the volunteer's house - mostly from Japan , so I now know how it feels to be in the minority from a language perspective. I'm the only 'grown up' too - average age is around 21.
There are 6 to a room, sleeping in bunks beds and everyone 'mucks in' to cook dinner, today was the first time in months since I've actually cooked anything.
It'll be slightly different when we go to the project on Monday as there'll only be 10 of us so much more room in the kitchen.
Saturday - Justin (good looking from York)picked us up at 7.45 to drive us to Noosa National Park - it was a 2 hour journey but nice as it was along the Sunshine coast.
We walked for an hour along the coastal hill path to Hells Gate point where we sat and ate our lunch and watched a few dolphins swimming off the coast. The coastal line, and sea are beautiful and there were lots of people riding the surf.
Came back to Hastings village and had an icecream (4$) and sat on the beach for an hour while Justing took his surfboard out for a spin.
Sunday today and have come into the city to update you all and have a wander round the sights of Brisbane.
We go to Hervey Bay on our project tomorrow and I'm hoping to be able to go to Fraser's island where apparently it's the best place to see whales.
Not sure when I'll get to the internet again, but will let you know how I get on.
Love Sue xx
Saturday, 6 September 2008
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Meeting the Oz side of the Isaacs family in Brisbane
Hi all
Have arrived in Brisbane and I rang Ian and Judy to see if we could meet up in between my project - Judy is my 2nd cousin on my dad's side.
Judy invited me to stay with them for the night which was really kind cos I could be one of those relatives with all sorts of strange tendencies.
Anyway got picked up from the airport and taken to their lovely home in Mitchleton. Their house is huge and they have a lovely German pointer called Mildred (Millie) - she reminds me a bit of Buster but a shorter version and a dark chocolate brown.
They are really lovely people and Yvonne (Judy's mum) came over to meet me - she's 87 and still driving her car. Have been made for feel really welcome and will stop by here on my way back from the projects.
Not much to say at the moment. It is pouring with rain here but as there is a drought here, the water is very welcome.
Start on my project tomorrow - apparently the 1st week I'll be going to a place called Hervey Bay which is next to Fraser Island, which is a very nice place, so lots to look forward to.
All for now
Love Sue. xx
Have arrived in Brisbane and I rang Ian and Judy to see if we could meet up in between my project - Judy is my 2nd cousin on my dad's side.
Judy invited me to stay with them for the night which was really kind cos I could be one of those relatives with all sorts of strange tendencies.
Anyway got picked up from the airport and taken to their lovely home in Mitchleton. Their house is huge and they have a lovely German pointer called Mildred (Millie) - she reminds me a bit of Buster but a shorter version and a dark chocolate brown.
They are really lovely people and Yvonne (Judy's mum) came over to meet me - she's 87 and still driving her car. Have been made for feel really welcome and will stop by here on my way back from the projects.
Not much to say at the moment. It is pouring with rain here but as there is a drought here, the water is very welcome.
Start on my project tomorrow - apparently the 1st week I'll be going to a place called Hervey Bay which is next to Fraser Island, which is a very nice place, so lots to look forward to.
All for now
Love Sue. xx
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Strolling and Take me to the Bridge
Monday Today I walked to Mrs Macquarie's poit which has the best views of the Oopera House and Bridge. As I walked along there were loads of joggers. Now the last time I saw something like this it was in Singapore and it turned out to be a marathon, so I asked the question to one of the runners - 'I this National Joggers day or is this some event?' Answer - This is just a normal lunch hour!! - Mad or What!!
Had lunch in the Botanic gardens and then strolled back to the point which is parrallel to the Opera house and has magnificent views of the bridge. I lay on the park bench and looked up at the clear blue sunny sky (today the weather was more like I expected in Oz) and was just in awe of this perfect place, the views and the sheer peace I had lying there.
Tuesday - the thing I said I may do
Well today I joined the realms of all those mad people that take it on themselves to scale the dizzy heights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Sorry I won't have any photos that I can publish as you're not allowed to take anything with you - no cameras, watches, jewellery - not even a tissue.
Arrived early and watched the video of the climb, then given the briefing and donned the really attractive bridge suit. Then was laden down with the fleece, harness, hat gloves, walkie talkie and hankie and off we went - up some stairs and on to the first catwalk which takes you over the roads and to the pylons of the bridge. Then up the ladders through the inside of the bridge to the starting point of the climb and the long walk over the top arch of the bridge to the summit. The weather couldn't have been more perfect - sunny beautiful blue skies and the views all the way up are incredible. You can see the whole of Sydney and the islands on both sides of the bridge. On the way up the climb we met the brother of the Olymic gold medalist swimmer - Lindsey Davenport ( I think that's her 1st name) At the top there was a raven's nest that had just been build and the raven was just nestling in the nest without a care in the world. I have my certificate and photos from the climb to prove I was there and did it!!
Now on to Brisbane on Thursday, so again will be out of touch for a couple of days.
Thanks again for all your comments
Over and out from Sydney!!
Love to all. Sue. xxxxxxxxxxx
Had lunch in the Botanic gardens and then strolled back to the point which is parrallel to the Opera house and has magnificent views of the bridge. I lay on the park bench and looked up at the clear blue sunny sky (today the weather was more like I expected in Oz) and was just in awe of this perfect place, the views and the sheer peace I had lying there.
Tuesday - the thing I said I may do
Well today I joined the realms of all those mad people that take it on themselves to scale the dizzy heights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Sorry I won't have any photos that I can publish as you're not allowed to take anything with you - no cameras, watches, jewellery - not even a tissue.
Arrived early and watched the video of the climb, then given the briefing and donned the really attractive bridge suit. Then was laden down with the fleece, harness, hat gloves, walkie talkie and hankie and off we went - up some stairs and on to the first catwalk which takes you over the roads and to the pylons of the bridge. Then up the ladders through the inside of the bridge to the starting point of the climb and the long walk over the top arch of the bridge to the summit. The weather couldn't have been more perfect - sunny beautiful blue skies and the views all the way up are incredible. You can see the whole of Sydney and the islands on both sides of the bridge. On the way up the climb we met the brother of the Olymic gold medalist swimmer - Lindsey Davenport ( I think that's her 1st name) At the top there was a raven's nest that had just been build and the raven was just nestling in the nest without a care in the world. I have my certificate and photos from the climb to prove I was there and did it!!
Now on to Brisbane on Thursday, so again will be out of touch for a couple of days.
Thanks again for all your comments
Over and out from Sydney!!
Love to all. Sue. xxxxxxxxxxx
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