Bon voyage Bayard!

Hi all,

It's dawn as I write this and the kookaburras and magpies are calling
like crazy.  Another cool Australia morning promises to turn into a
warm and sunny day even as feet of snow are dumped on Washington, DC.
Katherine just IMed me to say they have a foot so far, another on the
way.  I hope they can clear it away before my arrival!

After a lazy rainy day on Friday, we rescheduled our sailing trip out
in Ron's boat, for yesterday, Saturday.  The weather was perfect -
sunny, warm and breezy.  The sailing was exciting and much different
from the bigger boats we were on recently - in order to tack (change
direction) we needed to periodically duck under the boom of a sail
that was swinging towards us with great force, scramble up on the edge
of the small boat (butt hanging over the side - very important) and
lean back as far as we could to counterbalance the craft and keep it
from tipping all the way over and upside down (which we did
successfully ALMOST all the time.)  Although a newbie, I loved the
sailing and didn't mind getting wet.  After the sailing outing, we ate
delicious burgers (with the works - here they put on a slice of beet,
pineapple, a fried egg and etc) and closed out the night with a trip
to the carnival now on in Gosford.  It was colorful, friendly and a
lot like the ones back home.

Going home is bittersweet as after any great trip.  I'm looking
forward to seeing everyone but I've had such an amazing experience
here.  Thank you so much to Pete and Ron for inviting me to be a part
of it, and thanks again to Angela for her hospitality, and thanks Ron
for all the help you gave us - I am truly grateful.  A trip never to
be forgotten!


Bayard