 Esther - Esclaw | All Comments |
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| 30th November 2006 Joe Green | Be kind to Huntsmen! - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies I love what I've read of this so far (just stumbled across it today). I entirely sympathise with your fear of Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's not something I've dared yet. As you say, St Paul's Cathedral is scary enough (the rickety iron staircase between the inner and outer domes, if it's still there). Cologne Cathedral's bell tower is not too great in places either! But I'm rambling; I really wanted to put in a plea on behalf of the poor harmless Huntsman spider. However big, hairy and scary-looking it might be, the Huntsman is your friend! It's called that because, guess what, it hunts. And what does it hunt? Other creepy-crawlies, that's what. There *are* some very nasty spiders in Oz but nice Mrs Huntsman isn't one of them. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of this wonderful journal! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9th September 2006 Esclaw | Thanks - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies Hey - thanks for your comment and for reading my blog after all this time! I wish I COULD still blog, but unfortunately the only traveling I'm doing these days is from our house to the grocery store or to the playground. Just not the stuff of Travelblog! Best of luck on your trip to Oz next year! You'll have a blast. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30th August 2006 Jess - Scotland | Thanks for the laughs - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies This is the best and funniest blog I have read. I am off to Oz next year and will make a note of all the places you visited and try to see some of them. Start blogging again, we need to have a lot of laughter in our lives. All the best to you Les and Abby. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30th March 2006 Esclaw | Thanks Everyone! - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies Thanks for all the great comments everyone. And yes, Ali is brilliant :) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29th March 2006 anonymous | - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies I enjoyed reading your blogs. Too bad there aren't going to be anymore. I'm sure going to miss them. By the way this Travelblog site was started and is still maintained by Alistair Watters and goes by Ali. He's been at it since 2002 and is still travelling - - I think he's in south east Asia. He's brilliant and is always improving on something. All the best to you and your family. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17th March 2006 MMR | Welcome home - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies As a "lurker", I just wanted to say I really enjoyed reading about your year in Australia. Having visited the country for the first time this year on vacation, I stumbled across your blog during typical work procrastination web surfing. I am addicted to many blogs on this site, but yours was one of my favorites. You are a very talented writer, and I wish you the best of luck. And don't worry, it will be summer in Boston before you know it... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17th March 2006 travelingbee | One more thing... - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies I forgot to mention in my first comment: I just noticed today that I now also have 42 subscribers for my Peru trip. Coincidence? Perhaps... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17th March 2006 travelingbee | Cbo's right! - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies Just remember, S - NE may not be exotic to you, but it may be exotic to people who don't live there OR, dare I say, to people who may be thinking of traveling or even moving there and want to read about life in-and-around Boston (or Beverly or Salem...). That said, I don't think you should consider yourself "through" blogging yet...at least not QUITE yet. Just my two cents... Love you guys and glad you're back!! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16th March 2006 Andrea | ditto - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies I agree! I want the blogging to continue. It has been great fun for me to keep up with you and read about your life down under, and I'm sure in time you will find you life back in the NE just as exciting. By the way, if you need some warm weather, come see me in Savannah. It's going to be 77 and sunny for the St. Patrick's Day Parade tomorrow. Andrea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16th March 2006 Cbo | Let the Blogging continue - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies You may not be traveling, but hey, that's what things like live journal and stuff like that are for! I say keep it up! BD! Cbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16th March 2006 Tim | It is a sad fact that all good things have to come to an end - - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies and this is one of them. Having just noticed blog no 42 (yes i was anxiously checking each day) i quickly went and made myself a warm drink as i had done before reading the previous 41. It is nice to be thought of as nice and normal and i am glad you gained the audience your blogs deserved. By the way if you want to catch up with life in Sydney every now and again SMH.com.au is an excellent site (i am sure you know anyway). Good luck with the column Esther i am sure it will go down a storm. Good health and happiness to you and your family, Tim, England (for the last time) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16th March 2006 Daisy | - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies Loved every entry, please keep on writing!! I will miss hearing about your adventures in parenting and life if you stop. Anyway, glad you are back home, safe and sound despite the flight. And don't worry, spring is right around the corner-- just think, by the time October comes you will have lived through a year and a half of summer! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16th March 2006 Nann | thanks for the memories - From: So Long and Thanks for all the Smoothies We too are sorry to see the Australia blogs end! Being able to travel Australia with you when we couldn't really get there ourselves was just the BEST. What a marvelous way to keep grandparents abreast of your adventures - although we must admit it did keep us on our knees praying for protection from the likes of spiders and duck lice 6th March 2006 | Cbs Glamorous World of Dairy Farming - From: Fabulous New Zealand (Second to Last Blog) | HA! 6th March 2006 | Tim - From: Fabulous New Zealand (Second to Last Blog) | Esther - it has been a real pleasure reading your blogs for the last few months. I have always looked forward to the next instalment and they have really brightened up my working days. I wish you, Les and Abby health and happiness always. Tim... 5th March 2006 | Em and Ken Roth Pure New Zealand - From: Fabulous New Zealand (Second to Last Blog) | Hey Es and Les - So glad you had a great trip to NZ. Reading your blog made Ken and I want to plan a 3rd trip down there...it's our most favorite destination ever. Gotta love Winnes with the bucket o' toys and wait staff that acts like they really don't hear your children screaming : ) Hope the flight goes well and we can't wait to see you all here in Boston soon! 27th February 2006 | KC Abs - From: Odds and Ends | I can't believe how much your little one looks like Les! It's incredible. Can't wait to hear you're home safe and sound. Good providence. 21st February 2006 | Tim - From: Odds and Ends | Esther - just a short message to wish you all well in NZ. I have thoroughly enjoyed your OzzieBlog as you know. Have fun!!! Tim.... 20th February 2006 | Cbolicious Hooray - From: Odds and Ends | I finally get to see the g-bread house - oh so fun! la la la! 19th February 2006 | travelingbee Well wishes... - From: Odds and Ends | Have a blast in Kiwiland (try not to get bitten by a Huntsman before you leave) and then COME HOME!!! Really miss you. 10th February 2006 | Amanda so funny... - From: The Doctor Is In | Esther, this is the funniest thing I've heard in a loooooong time! I think I've read it about 20 times. I'm going to print this out and make Mark and everyone else I know read it. Hats off to you for making it through your day. 9th February 2006 | jen hilarious - From: The Doctor Is In | This is hilarious! RFL!!!I'm forwarding this on to the medical people in my life 9th February 2006 | travelingbee You say that now... - From: The Doctor Is In | ...but let me assure you that if Oz's medical system is set up anything like the UK, then while it may be greatly efficient for getting vaccines and the like, it would NOT be such a pleasure cruise if you were to become seriously ill or need any kind of surgery. Don't...I repeat DON'T test them on that front! 2nd February 2006 | KC Too much - From: In Which My Worst Fear Is Realized | S, You brighten my day too. After dealing with hormonal juniors all day it's nice to read your entries. I always need a chuckle. Thanks, KC 1st February 2006 | Capn George Top Drawer - From: In Which My Worst Fear Is Realized | I loved it! This was one of your best. My guess is that it all come to you as a gestalt, and you wrote it in record time. It has a certain spontneity and immediacy about it. This brightend my day considerably. Thanks. Love you, Dad 1st February 2006 | Rach The ugliest spider - From: In Which My Worst Fear Is Realized | I looked it up. That is the ugliest spider I've ever seen. Except maybe the pregnant banana spider in the DR. 30th January 2006 | Daisy favorites - From: Three Bits O' News | Ok Esther, As you know, I love reading about your adventures. I think it's great that you are going to be published-- I think you should get a book deal!! Anyway, three of my favorite entries are "Weekend Adventures", "Encounter with Wildlife" and "Up to your ankles in Bats" and of course the "Good, Cheap Furniture". 30th January 2006 | Mama TAFT Page from Cousin Dan's book... - From: Three Bits O' News | Cousin Dan finally decorated his office and it's full of carved masks and printed cloth from his Africa trip - perhaps you could pick up some stuffed cockatoos and beach items to decorate Les' office with artifacts from his Australia trip? BD! 30th January 2006 | KC Congrats! - From: Three Bits O' News | Congrats, Les. Hope all is well. Love your blogs! I def think the IKEA bus driver should be included. KC 30th January 2006 | Tim - From: Three Bits O' News | Esther - good news about the Beverley Citizen, i knew someone would publish your journals. Congrats on the birth of the babe and the promotion too. Tim, England 30th January 2006 | Jen Promotion - From: Three Bits O' News | Congratulations Les!! That's wonderful! 28th January 2006 | MJ congratulations! - From: Three Bits O' News | So happy to hear about your promotion. Come home soon. love MJ & DR 26th January 2006 | Esclaw Car hire - From: Part 2 of 3: Kangaroo Island | Zelda - both Hertz and Budget (from the Adelaid airport) let you rent a car and take it on the island. They are the only two companies and the reason is because they have locations on the island should you break down. -Esther 26th January 2006 | zelda hire to kangaroo island - From: Part 2 of 3: Kangaroo Island | we would like to take similar trip which hire car company let you take your car on kangaroo island i have yet to find one would be greta ful for input 24th January 2006 | travelingbee So are you cured?? - From: Climbing The Sydney Harbor Bridge | You said that they told you that many people afraid of heights are cured by the Harbor Bridge - were you? Your fear of heights has always made me want to laugh - not b/c it's particularly funny that you burst into tears and fear plummeting to your death. I don't think that at all. What I find humorous is that you've always been the person I could count on to be crazily adventuresome with and up-for-anything, and yet there's this one thing that you just freak out about. So, if you and I were to ever enter "The Amazing Race" and got stuck with either taking 6 hours to get somewhere, or take a shortcut that included bungee jumping off of a bridge, I guess we'd have to take the 6-hour route and risk losing, huh? :) 23rd January 2006 | Cbs You see - From: Climbing The Sydney Harbor Bridge | That is EXACTLY how I feel about boats - they freak me out so much and I HATE being on them - not like planes that just make me throw up (but are not scary) I can calm the fear and take yoga breaths and fool everyone for an afternoon out on the water that I'm fine, but still, I just do not like being in boats. It's like being in prison with a chance of drowning. (and yes, I do know how to swim) 11th January 2006 | Tim You are a natural writer. - From: Part 3 of 3: The Barossa Valley (wine country) | I have so enjoyed reading these last 3 blogs. Watch out Bill Bryson is all i can say. Your blogs are as entertaining and informative as any travel book i have read. I look forward to the next post. Have fun in the sun!! Tim, England 7th January 2006 | SA hiker Galahs - From: Part 1 of 3: Flinders Ranges | Hi Esther, Enjoying your blogs about SA. Just a small point, the "Majestic Cockatoos (Rosellas)" are galahs. Cheers, Diana (aka SA-hiker) 4th January 2006 | Daisy - From: Part 1 of 3: Flinders Ranges | Esther, you have a wonderful way with words. It is very entertaining to read your blogs, and I can't wait for part 2!! 1st January 2006 | Nann Glad you're back!!! - From: Back and Baking | Can't wait for the blogs. We're trying our best to be patient here in chilly philly. Wish we could send you some of our cool New Year air. Kiss AJ for us. 29th December 2005 | Lisa E. Happy New Year! - From: Of Arrivals and Riots | Hey Es, Love your journal and the photos. I have been negligent in reading this until Andrea told me how she was laughing until she cried, while she read some of your entries. I'm glad that you're parents got to visit for the holidays. Take good care! 20th December 2005 | KCL hello - From: Of Arrivals and Riots | Hey Es, Loved the pics of your parents. They look great. Tell them I said hello. Wanted to let you know that I'm expecting another in July. Hope all is well. 19th December 2005 | The Nomad Sydney Olympic Park is not always a ghost town - From: Of Arrivals and Riots | Glad to hear your enjoying Sydney, It's my home town and I, like a lot of Sydney-siders, are very proud of our city. Just to clear up your comment on Sydney Olympic Park. Since the olympics, that park has played host to a myriad of sporting events, concerts and other events. In 2003, Stadium Australia (or Telstra Stadium as it is now known) was the main site of the Rugby Union World Cup, the largest sporting event in the world that year. There is also many sporting events that take place there like the State Of Origin, Rugby League Grand Final, AFL and the Socceroos beat Uruguay to secure a place in the Soccer World Cup there. Next to Stadium Australia is The Superdome. Many huge bands have played concerts there such as Kiss, Korn, Eminem, 50 Cent etc... Plus there has been The WWE and The Crusty Demons perform many shows there, not to mention all the other sporting events that are there throughout the year. Everytime the Big Day Out (Australia's largest music festival) is in town, Sydney Olympic Park is the venue and has been since 1999. Every year it is the venue of the Sydney Royal Easter Show that sees hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over Sydney, Australia and the world. In and around the park are many restaurants, bars and clubs that have a steady flow of customers, myself included. To name everything that happens there would take up too much room (I think I have taken up too much already :)) It's a vital part of Sydney's entertainment industry and I couldn't imagine Sydney without it. Anyways just thought you'd like to know. Enjoy the rest of our country. Sorry about the certain idiots who like to riot for no real reason. 14th December 2005 | Capn George Your sartorial slur - From: Update on Riots | In my methodical way I have considered all the varied enviroments I will encounter in Oz -- beach, desert, bush, around town, around the house, and even dinner at a nice restaurant. I will come with all clothing necessary to decent and comfortable living in those environments. So, dear and excited daughter, far from wearing the same outfit for three weeks, I intend to dazzle you with a veritable peacock display of sartorial splendor with only the carefully selected clothes that fit into the tiny space in my roll-a-board that is not devoted to gifts for Abby. See you in a few days. I love you, Dad 14th December 2005 | cia - From: Update on Riots | have a crazy, fun holiday with your mom and dad-enjoy the family time immensely. i'm sure they can't wait to see abby:) xo a blessed christmas to you and yours! 7th December 2005 | Joanna 'eating'? - From: Kookaburra Sits on the TV Antenna | Abby looks like she's about to fling some of that food right at you, catapult style. v. cute. 7th December 2005 | GJJ Snow - From: Kookaburra Sits on the TV Antenna | It snowed in Philadelphia last night. Most of it is gone now, though. I wish it were in the 90s here. Well, maybe not. The thought of sweaty Santas is too much to bear. 1st December 2005 | Cbo Touch of pink - so mod- so fun! - From: A Touch of Pink | Es - Les' office party sounds like a blast - love the lovely mod look - so fun! You will have to tell us all about it and post pics when you post your lollyhouse. Cbo 1st December 2005 | Capn George Just what I need - From: A Touch of Pink | I can't wait to get to Sydney. What I really need today is a smoothy with a shot of something to handle a 30+ page spread sheet chock full of four-line long boolean formulas. Instead, all I've got is coffee. 29th November 2005 | grama knew you could do it - From: Happy Birthday Mom!! | You re a lawrence also and my grand daurgher so you realy have thata talen hidden in side LET IT OUT GIRL love you nknow who |
