A Great Adventure

After what seemed like a very long time to wait our family holiday has now arrived!

We left Adelaide on a sunny but cold winters day and a mere 27 hours later (!) arrived in London.

It is 25 years since I have been here, and at that time was living and working here.

First impressions are of little change but I haven't yet seen any of the new Iconic buildings.

We arrived at 6 am 2 days ago to a beautiful summers day, and hung out around St Paul's for a few hours as we couldn't get into our Bethnal Green airbnb flat for a few hours. That turned into several hours in the bank after the ATM ate Fishermans card at first attempt!

View of St Paul's from Paternoster Square

Eventually we got the card back and found our way to Kate's charming little flat. It is a very comfortable home for our time here and really suits us.

The flats were originally public housing build in 1900.

They are built around a central courtyard that once would have had lines strung across it hung with washing, it's very "Call the Midwife". 

There is a lovely community of people living in the flats with young families and children playing in the courtyard and clearly some keen gardeners. At the end of the courtyard is the local primary school.

Yesterday we went to the British Museum. It was very busy of course and overwhelming as it tends to be. We looked at lots of Egyptian and Greek artefacts  and an interesting Japanese exhibit. There was a large Indiginous art exhibition but in fact it was on at the South Australian Art Gallery several years ago and we saw it then so we didn't go back.

Autumn, Melancholy, and Gratitude.

Autumn is here and I am feeling melancholy.

We have had a very sad and sudden loss in our family, we are in a time of private grief and deep concern for those most deeply affected.

At the same time there is so much sadness and horror in the wider world that frequently it seems overwhelming.

Fisherman returned from a trekking trip to Nepal less than 2 weeks before the devastating earthquake occurred there, and many of the places he went and people that he met are now gone. We have donated through Plan and Oxfam but it seems such an inadequate response. 

The horror that the deeply twisted philosophy of IS inflicts on our world is on the radio,TV and Internet daily, with a sense of helplessness to assist those in its path.

Very close to home the senseless and cruel executions in Indonesia have effected many of us deeply, as have the proposed forced closures of many remote Indiginous communities.

It can be challenging to be mindful, to focus on the positives, to be grateful. 

But in truth I have many, many things to be grateful for.

The natural environment I live it, and the peace, security and prosperity of the place I call home.

My parents, and the loving stable upbringing I had

My extended family,mmy partner and children and all my kind and supportive friends.

(The little ones are rather large now)

Not to mention all the interesting and exciting activities I participate in.

We had some Festival fun.

I have been to WOMAD once again

I had a trip to Queensland in early March with a dear friend, some time for work and some to simply hang out.

And some special musical treats.

The Merrie Soul Sessions.

Paul Simon and Sting.

As well as this we have had precious family get togethers for Christmas, Easter, and several important family birthdays.

 

Fisherman and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary late last year with close friends with a very special dinner at the Salopian Inn in the  beautiful McLaren  Vale. 

 I have even been to the football ( last weekend) and witnessed a Port win.

So you can see that I lead a privileged life in so many, many ways and have much to be grateful for.