Haven’t Seen The Man In 35 Years And Today Is Australia Day

We were buddies way back in the late seventies, attending technical college in Northern Germany. Our jobs took us to totally different places on the globe. While I was going north, Hermann went south - way south I should ad and to the other side of the globe.  Hermann and his wife Renate went to Australia. After that I haven’t seen the man in 35 years.  But with today’s amazing technology we could arrange a meeting. Most recently they got an account with SKYPE and we had arranged a time to meet. It was late afternoon here in Florida, but Hermann and Renate were sitting on their covered porch enjoying a wonderful breakfast looking out to their tropical garden. Yes, in Darwin,Australia it was just about 31C (88F). We chatted over 2hrs, it was just like a personal visit – without ever leaving home. They also told us that they are having Australia Day today.  Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Sydney Cove, New South Wales, and raising of the Flag of Great Britain at that site by Governor Arthur Phillip. In contemporary Australia, celebrations reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation, and are marked by community and family events, reflections on Australian history, official community awards, and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new immigrants into the Australian community. The celebrations remind me a lot of how Canada is celebrating Canada Day. We are wishing all Australians a HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY! Sitting outside on one of four warm days we’ve had over the last month. Over here, nothing has changed. It is still cold and come Tuesday it’s going to be downright frigid. But then we are about ready to leave the next morning. We have called ahead to Texas and have received a positive confirmation from another “Boondockers Welcome” member to park a couple of nights with them. From there we will drive the 30 miles into San Antonio to meet with distant relatives of mine. San Antonio is a very beautiful and historic city (Remember the ALAMO..) and we have been there a couple of times earlier.          Watching TV or are there SQUIRRELS outside?   After the weekend we proceed via El Paso, Lac Cruces and over to Arizona. Hopefully, by then we will see a lot of sun and warmer weather. Don’t know yet whether we will make it all the way to Yuma but it is possible. Thanks for dropping by!