It has been a while since I've blogged. I blame it on the frantic schedule at the end of this trip....and the lack of internet access at the District Conference.
To keep you up-to-date I'll fill you in with my last host. I met Bob the book binder during my last vocational day of the trip. Many thanks to my host Anne of the Mt. Warning AM club for making the arrangements. Bob does the exact thing my dad does back home. The only difference is he has a machine to make his letters...a Ludlow...which First Impressions Book binding must desperately find...and he makes movie props. While perusing his shelf of accomplishments I see a US Passport. This passport was made for a movie in which Jodie Foster starred. He has also created books for Scooby Doo, and the Chronicles of Narnia. Very cool and very profitable!
Thursday night's dinner was at the White Olive in Murwillambah, owned by Rotarian Simone and her husband Li Ping. The meal was 8 courses long...and the best meal I have had in 2011. It consisted of: fresh bread with 3 dipping sauces, won tons, spring rolls, kangaroo, spotted mackerel, 12 hour roasted lamb, grilled eggplant, and a medley of desserts which included chocolate souffle, merinenge porcupine ice cream, Anzac cake, and another cake-like dessert.
To keep you up-to-date I'll fill you in with my last host. I met Bob the book binder during my last vocational day of the trip. Many thanks to my host Anne of the Mt. Warning AM club for making the arrangements. Bob does the exact thing my dad does back home. The only difference is he has a machine to make his letters...a Ludlow...which First Impressions Book binding must desperately find...and he makes movie props. While perusing his shelf of accomplishments I see a US Passport. This passport was made for a movie in which Jodie Foster starred. He has also created books for Scooby Doo, and the Chronicles of Narnia. Very cool and very profitable!Thursday night's dinner was at the White Olive in Murwillambah, owned by Rotarian Simone and her husband Li Ping. The meal was 8 courses long...and the best meal I have had in 2011. It consisted of: fresh bread with 3 dipping sauces, won tons, spring rolls, kangaroo, spotted mackerel, 12 hour roasted lamb, grilled eggplant, and a medley of desserts which included chocolate souffle, merinenge porcupine ice cream, Anzac cake, and another cake-like dessert.That was on Thursday night.
Friday morning the team minus Joe climbed Mt. Warning. Mt Warning is the highest eastern peak of Australia and the point of which the sun first hits the Australian continent. Sounds lovely right? The climb up Mt. Warning is a crap shoot. It takes about two hours to get to the top and you never know when a cloud might obstruct your view. The aboriginal name for Mt. Warning is Wollumbin meaning cloud catcher. Mt. Warning was called Mt. Warning by Captain Cook because ships would use it as a landmark to determine the start of the dangerous reef in the sea. Cloud Catcher did a great job catching Friday Morning. A third of the way up the top, it started raining. Granted we were in a rainforest setting, therefore rain wasn't much of a surprise.
We climbed this switchback path full of steps, puddles, rocks, and leeches. Shawn wore cowboy boots...an inappropriate footwear choice for the climb but he made it most of the way to the top. The top you see requires use of chain handrail of sorts to assist climbers in their ascent to the top. The chain is about 1km long (.6 miles) and a 50-60 degree climb. Shawn made it up half the chain in his boots and wisely chose to stop along the wet rocky climb. Beth, Mike and I trekked on to the top. My footwear choice was tennis shoes...mesh tennis shoes...which give ample protection from the rain. Insert sarcastic tone.
We made it to the top to find the view spectacular. April Fools! We were in a cloud. But at least we were above the rainy portion of the cloud. Our descent would take us back into the rain where we got soaked like a cane toad. Despite the weather and no falls or injuries, the team had a great experience and can cross off a trip to Mt. Warning off our Australia to-do lists. Next time though we will choose better weather so we can enjoy the views.
Friday afternoon was a transport day to Yamba, where the district conference was to be held. We checked into the Star of the Sea retreat center which is a converted convent. The rooms were small and cozy but provided all we needed...a bed and bathroom.
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