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David's Pictures

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Amber's Pictures

Amber's Journal Today David and I went to see the Convict Barracks Museum. This is an old barracks that was used to house the convicts when they were shipped over. I found it fascinating-it's filled with the tools, clothes, and artifacts of early Australian life. There was a good exhibit on poorhouse girls sent from Ireland that I found touching as I could imagine myself in their shoes so easily. I was also startled by an exhibit showing rat damage in the floors that even had mummified rats! There were also histories from people sent over for totally minor offenses to serve what essentially was a life sentence in Australia since there was no effective way for them to return home after their sentence was done. Really a great museum! That afternoon we joined up with the tour group and boarded a bus to go out to Tobruk Sheep Ranch. It was a bit of a long ride, but it gave me a good peek at life outside of Sydney! I enjoyed watching sophisticated Sydney fade away into pretty rural sheepfarming country. At the sheep farm we were greeted by one of the sheepfarmers on horseback (excellent dramatic entrance) his dogs, and the station's cat. They then made damper bread with lots of butter and golden syrup, and Billy tea for us. (An Aussie brand of black tea.) Tea and bread were excellent, and I appreciated getting a taste of authentic Australian food. We then got a demonstration of sheep herding, whip tricks, and even a demonstration of a trainee sheepdog being put through his paces. Dusk was falling so they took us inside for music and a demonstration of sheepshearing that a couple members (David included but my pictures didn't turn out) got to take part in. Sheep look so utterly amazed when they're sheared, it looks like they're shocked into being still "What the hell is happening to me? Who are you? Why are you shaving me and where the heck do you have your hand? EE!" Tonight we had our farewell dinner at the station. We got roasted chicken, potatoes and pumpkin-they're real big on pumpkin in Australia. I was a tad disappointed it wasn't lamb after seeing so many sheep, but the food was plentiful and very good. David got double potatoes, and sorbet instead of cheesecake for dessert because of his allergies. We had some more music, and David spoiled the heck out of me again by joining in the line dancing with me! I love him! Day 10 - Good on Ya Mates! Today after one last luxurious breakfast (goodbye fresh hot hash browns and fresh Greek yogurt served with mango sauce!) our wonderful guides bundled us up, and entrusted us to the care of Quantas airlines. I spent the last of our Aussie money in the airport on a couple cute hematite necklaces and funky Australian snackies. I loved Australian security at the airport-they LET YOU KEEP YOUR SHOES ON as long as you don't have too much metal on you, and even let you walk in with a bottle of water. Every time we flew in Australia we got to keep our shoes on, and it was so civilized! (Oh for the happy old days of air travel!) I took two days off after getting home. David had to see the doctor because of his leg and I followed a few days later with a minor ear infection. (I got a lot of water stuck in my ear snorkeling and diving.) I konked out for nearly the rest of the first day we were home and most of the next day! I never thought I could be so tired after travel-and of course now we had to adjust to life without anybody to prepare our breakfast, pick up our towels and show us around! Ahh well, back to work and back to reality! See you soon Adventures by Disney-we're going with my Mom to Germany in the spring! I can't wait!!!

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