Be kind to Huntsmen! 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!
Thanks 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.
Thanks for the laughs 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.
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.
Welcome home 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...
One more thing... 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...
Cbo's right! 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!!
ditto 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
Let the Blogging continue 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
It is a sad fact that all good things have to come to an end - 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)
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!
thanks for the memories 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
And although these last few weeks of NE winter are a jolt to your systems, we must admit to being thrilled, delighted, in fact downright ecstatic, to have you back home and within easy reach. And as you have so brilliantly pointed out over and over again, life with a toddler is always an adventure - it's all in your perspective. Can't wait to read your newspaper column! Welcome home. We love you. Nann and the Bub
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...
Pure New Zealand 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!
so funny... 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.
You say that now... ...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!
Top Drawer 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
Joe Green
non-member comment
Be kind to Huntsmen!
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!