Goodbye Australia

Farewells are not easy and the older one gets, the harder they seem to become. Last week we said goodbye to Australia, after living there for four years. The farewells at school, office and with family & friends commenced weeks ago. The outpouring of affection was overwhelming – the depth of friendships formed more than what we may have anticipated at the start of our stay.
We know we are taking back more than mere memories, although just these are quite awesome.
First day in Australia, moving into a serviced apartment and struggling with the keys. Finding the absence of human/personal service rather disconcerting. Watching the kids settle in and thrive at school, form friendships at school, Scouts and elsewhere.
Office Christmas parties, Great Barrier Reef, Indian grocery shopping, trips to Newcastle, New Zealand, Fiji, Canberra, Jenolan Caves, Scout family camps, Dubbo.
Parents of our children’s friends becoming our own. Many evenings spent chatting over tea/food at our second home in Sydney (uncle’s place).
Tennis on weekend mornings, New Year’s Eve under Sydney Harbour Bridge, having friends from India come and stay with us. Kids’ swimming lessons and “How’re you going?” at the shop counter.
Bushwalking, kids playing in the driveway, Macquarie Centre Food Court and our weekend outings there. Carlingford Court and walking the aisles at Woolies, admiring the variety on offer.
The rich flavoursome take-away coffee (blame Sydney for my mid-life caffeine addiction).
Hmm…it’s been a good four years. Thank you Australia, and we shall meet again.