Last time to Glanmire for 2009

Drove up to Glanmire on Friday morning - glad to get out of the city and tried out going via the M5 and M7 to get to the base of the Blue Mountains - easy peasy ( although you have to pay tolls). Lovely drive up - but the country was burnt brown - such a change from the end of October when it was beautifully green. They really need rain - even the creek was dry and there was no pool by the bottom fence - hopefully they will get a good rain soon, or even a little rain. The top dam is really brown.

Taught the kids to make Xmas decorations the old fashioned way and then for another walk up the hill. HAving seen the little JAck Russell terrier kill a snake in front of his kennel a few days earlier it was not problem to convince everyone to wear shoes! but we didnt see anything untoward. Lots of little bunnies about - maybe the breeding cycle got accelerated in the spring! I even saw a black kangaroo wheni went for a walk at sunset. Samantha was quite amazed at "pink" clouds - how do you explain pink clouds to a nearly three year old!

Bought all the Christmas presents - and left them wrapped for two weeks time, and got some little bundles to take home with me.

Incredibly easy trip back home - less than three hours. So work for another five days and then back to NZ.

To Adelaide and back

What a lovely week - after working like crazy to get everything ready in time for the conference and meetings I was going to in Adelaide, it was great to just head off and relax. I didnt have to make any major presentations ( of the powerpoint kind) , just had to make a few shortish speeches as the retiring president. Had a lovely trip down on the plane, window seat and I always like looking at Australia from the air. every little river has green around it and almost all the rest is brown with circles and squares of green where some irrigation is taking place. Not a brilliant photo but maybe you can see what I mean.

Stayed the night with cousin Shirley and husband and caught up on all the news - so much happens, as families expand - she now has 9 great grandchildren!

Sunday was a major meeting - went well and then I spoke at the conference opening. I can really handle people telling me I am looking well. Neat group of people, and so very welcoming. Huge group - biggest ever. The whole conference went well, the community had many interesting papers and Adelaide was a great location - lots of restaurants in Rundle Mall, so close and easy walking from the Uni. Also beautiful old buildings at the Uni - a city uni but beautifully kept with parklands by the river and the Botanic gardens just up the road.

I donned my finery for the Awards dinner as I was giving out the prizes and even got photographed with the Australian born Astronaut who handed out the top award. Great night - once again a Kiwi took out one of the awards.

Hopefully some of the projects we talked about will actually come to fruition.

Even though I am now "Past President Liz" felt good to hand over with the association in such good heart and strength.

The back to my cousin's for the last night, a walk on Brighton beach and back to Sydney and work. Going up to Glanmire for the weekend to be with the children, for a last hug before Christmas ( going to take my wallet to the shops for Christmas presents!) and home to NZ in 9 sleeps!