Close to the Edge (of the World!)

Hello!

No, I haven't fallen off the edge of the world...we are fine and still living in Australia! 

It's been a year since my last post.  Many, many things have come to pass, but I am not issuing any excuses.  I guess it wasn't time. Let's see....where to start.

If I was to start at the beginning, you would think me pedestrian...keeping you absorbed is a much better path to travel...so with that being said...let's start with the present!

Presently Yasmin and I are living in Torquay.  A coastal town, located a mere 100kms from Melbourne.  We are also a short 30 minute trip to Geelong, a thriving community located on the Southwestern portion of Port Philip Bay, so we have all the stores and theaters we need to survive close at hand!

The around and in Torquay is pristine....the water clear, the sky infinite, the air pure and fresh.  Everyday....and I mean this....everyday I am thankful for experiencing this place.

Torquay is at the Eastern start of the Great Ocean Road...this road was built by servicemen who had returned from WWI...it connected the small coastal communities along the rough coastline of Southern Victoria.  The road was opened in 1932, and is a tribute to all of Australia. If you would like to learn more about the Great Ocean Road, click on this link : Building the Great Ocean Road

Torquay is growing by leaps and bounds....many people come here in the summer months, and during school breaks for holiday.  Due to demand, many old homes are being torn down and replaced by Townhouses and Units.  It is interesting to be in a location that is currently involved in shaping new infrastructure...we will get involved in community actions and hope the growth is kept plausible.  I would be so disappointed if Torquay lost that freshness; the ease that a quaint town seem to exude.

Yasmin and I are adding to the growing community.  We are in the planning stages of a new house based on the ancient Indian principle of Sthapatya Veda.  We are incorporating sustainable options to every area we can....solar panels for conversion to electricity; rain water tanks to use for in our gardens, toilets, and laundry; no clothes dryer (Hills Hoist clothes line, thank you); wood stove for heat; double insulated windows, and ceiling and wall insulation to reduce heating and cooling.  The area we are building in requires all lots to be a minimum of 1 acre, and homes must keep to the "rural, coastal" look.  All homes must have a plan for trees and plants which must be native to this area.  

We designed our house, with the help of a Sthapatya Veda consultant, so it has taken us some time.  During this period we have dealt with health issues, selling Yasmin's home in Coburg, packing and moving, and all the things that go with living and growing.

Not to dwell on the past, but to move toward the future...this is my desire.  

One day we took a trip to our friends' cabin located in Barramunga, which is in the Ottways National Park.  Incredibly quiet, massive trees, king parrots...its all there.  I have included a link to some pictures of the area.  I hope you enjoy.

I also will start writing more....take more time to reflect on this beautiful place, wonderful life, and the bliss of living. 

To See some pictures from the Ottways, click on the photo.  This will open a new site called Picassa Web Albums. You can view the photos uploaded to this album.

The Ottways

Thank you all for your thoughts and love.  I will write more soon....promise.

Cheryl

The Hot Summer

We are still in Melbourne, and this week has brought the heat of summer. Temperatures in the 30's (high 80's and 90's) and low humidity at the beginning of the week seemed to suck every available drop of moisture from the ground. Now, as we walk down the Merri Creek trail, the grasses are the color of golden wheat, cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom...the creek itself is smaller and gentler, the banks are exposed, and it is easy to see that the creek bed is littered with stone and rock.

The ducks, geese, coots, swans, pigeons, and gulls still rejoice upon our arrival, but even they seem slower to take the swim over the lake from their shady retreat. We too, love the shaded areas on the trail...we tend to walk slower through those spots, heads up, looking around and at each other...once we hit the sun, our heads lower, our conversation pauses, and I think that unconsciously we are both looking for that next reprieve.

This morning we woke to warm temperatures...not too warm, somewhere in the mid 20's (seventies)...took time for our “breakkie”, swept the house some, readied the spinach for lunch, and sat for our morning meditation...silence was broken by wind...then rain began to tap out a staccato beat on the laser light porch roof...the wind continued, the rain stopped. Cooler temperatures are arriving...tomorrow's high is forecast to be 21 (69.8F). We have Maharishis Ghandarva Rain Melody playing...the rain started up again at the conclusion of the first hour...

We welcome the change for our own selfish reasons...while we want the rain for the grass and plants, the lower temperatures will aid us in our newest project. We are rebuilding a raised bed...old landscape timbers, new landscape timbers (sleepers, I am told, is the correct verbiage), digging, lots of digging, pavers, mulch, plants...the whole nine yards! More to come on that news....

I hope all my Fairfield friends are surviving the Iowa winter...I hope all my dome buddies are able to travel to and from meditation easily and safely...I hope everyone is feeling well and strong and vital....from Australia...this is me signing off!

Melbourne Sunday Morning

Tea and Crumpets

Before I delve in to Sunday morning tea and crumpets, I must first thank nature for supporting me in my Internet endeavors. Let me explain. Yasmin has been in the US since late April 2009. Upon her return at the end of October, she stayed in Torquay with her parents until several days before my arrival. Having just 2 ½ days to ready herself (and the house) for my arrival, meant not checking her email. A couple of days after arriving, when I was able to focus my attention on more then just eating and sleeping, I attempted to use Yasmin's Internet connection. For some unknown reason, the connection would not work, and our attempts to use her Mum's connection failed also.

Soooooooo, until that problem was rectified, we were going to explore the use of the local public library, and/or an Internet cafe we saw on High St in Preston, the next town over. I had decided to boot up my laptop and start a new document in OpenOffice Writer, when I had a small, yet satisfying epiphany. I would check for any nearby wireless connections.

And so, piggybacking on the “AP” unsecured wireless connection came to be. I am being entirely truthful when I write that I am indebted to whomever and wherever this connection springs forth. I am aware of my nefarious deed, and promise to only use the connection for email and posting this blog. And know, that this is only temporary. So, to the One Who Owns the “AP” wireless network in Coburg, Victoria, my deepest gratitude to you. You have ensured my connection to my friends and family, and eloquently removed any and all vestiges of my personal anxieties. Well done, and regards from Cheryl, the Alien in Australia.

And now, back to the story...

Yes, Virginia, there are such things as crumpets, AND you can buy them at the mini mart. Quite interesting, these creatures of the bread and muffin world. Looking a bit like a moon scape on one side and a pancake on the other, crumpets are a perfectly thought out and constructed breakfast/tea muffin. I say breakfast muffin because I enjoyed my first crumpet during Sunday morning breakfast. Allow me to digress for a moment...

Sunday mornings have to be my favorite morning of the week. A morning that you can casually wend your way through with no disparaging looks from ANYONE. It is the one morning of the week where, not only can one quietly immerse themselves into themselves, it is expected. Whether your church is down the street, or at home, we find our quiet spot and sit. Ergo, Sunday morning is sacred to me for many reasons. Back to our story...

The beginning of our Sunday was not to find the elusive crumpet, but to garner the biggest prize of Sunday morning...the Sunday newspaper. We took a roundabout walk...partially through the neighborhood, partially through a grassy water pipe easement. Once we got to the store, we picked up the Sunday newspaper (we chose “The Age”, one of the major papers in the state of Victoria), and perused the aisles for some bread for toast.

There, right next to the English Muffins, were the Crumpets (I just LOVE that word! CRUMPET...sounds like TRUMPET...and, according to Yasmin, Scrumptious...especially with melted cheese and tomato!). Crumpets are perfect because all the little holes on the top allow whatever is smeared on it to soak into the entire crumpet! We snagged a bag, and were off. Back at the house, we put on the kettle for tea, cut up some melon, and toasted some crumpets. HEAVEN. We set up outside on the porch, opened up the paper, and listened to the birds cackle and sing to the morning. PERFECT. Nothing left to say.