making waves

brace! brace!

enjoying the waves

brighton beach

Yesterday after a lazy morning sleep in, Lindsay and Delilah phoned asking us to join them for a day at the beach. The five of us drove down to Brighton and we had such a good day - a lovely unexpected escape from the heat of the city.

Woz has always been game for a swim at the beach, regardless of temperature. Me, give me at least 35 degrees and a hot north wind and I might dip my toes in. But here we were, in temperatures barely reaching the high twenties, swimming in the mercilessly cold English Channel and loving every minute of it.

new toy

After months of not having a computer Woz and I have finally bought a new laptop and we're in love! It's so good to have speedy wireless internet, not to mention a place to finally download all our videos and photos. We're way behind on posting videos we've taken in the last 6 months or more but hope to upload some soon. Perhaps when the move is out of the way?! Then again it might give us something to do while we're waiting for our visas.

i can see clearly now

We had our induction conference call on Friday and it went really well. They answered loads of our questions regarding the set-up of the company, working conditions and the living conditions. What we have decided to undertake seems a lot clearer now and we are better informed.

The call was conducted with two further expats, one in Canada and another in the UK who are also waiting on their visas! The English expat will be taking his wife and child over so we're keen to talk with him before we go and have exchanged details. He's travelled to Libya three times now and will head up the security in Tripoli so we have so many questions for him. The fact that he is directly related to security, has travelled there before and experienced it first hand, and is willing to take his wife and child, is of great comfort to Woz (and to me of course!).

We did ask him about the safety in Tripoli and he said that we would be more likely to die of boredom than through terrorist activity as there really isn't anything to do. Alcohol is officially banned and there aren't any clubs or pubs to speak of. Not being the clubbing types we're not too concerned about having quiet nights in but will have to look into what options there are on the weekend. He also said that we would find it very difficult to buy any English literature so to take plenty of books to read. Licence to buy books! I love it!

in days gone by

Over the history of this blog I have made a conscious decision to make all posts observational and to steer clear of local or international politics or religious issues. Of course I hold opinions relating to religious and political issues, in many ways they shape who I am and affect the way I view the world, but I write on behalf of not just myself but Woz, and now Nate too. On top of that it has not been my intention that this blog be used as a soapbox, but as a way for our family and friends to keep up with our day to day life and to feel some inclusion in it.

But now, with the impending move to Libya taking centre stage it seems that avoiding politics is impossible, particularly as our friends and family voice their concern for our welfare given the country we have chosen to live in.

The number one question people ask us when we tell them of our move to Libya is 'Is it safe?' and I have to admit, that was my first question too (right after 'Are you serious?!'). We've been talking about Libya for about 3 or 4 months now and during that time we have researched the political situation in Libya, (therefore our own personal safety), as heavily as we've been able to. There's not a great deal on the internet and not too many people have actually travelled or lived there that we have come in contact with. The Lonely Planet guide has really been our greatest resource as it seems to present a frank view of the history of Libya without sensationalising it. We all know, Libya has had a colourful history but it does seem that it is well behind them with Tripoli taking many steps to disassociate itself from its terrorist past and the US lifting its sanctions and restoring full diplomatic relations with Libya as a result.

I hope in the future to continue to write about our time in Tripoli in the same manner as I have in London, reserving political issues for private conversation and merely commenting on our day to day life. Time will tell whether that is possible.

you've no idea how long I've wanted to write about this ...

So, I'm about to rock your world a little here, and I'll cut to the chase because I hate suspense. I can barely write it let alone you read it. So, here goes ... Woz and I are moving to Libya.

Yes. Libya.

Had you asked me ten years ago, five, or one even, in fact, let's say 4 months ago ... "How do you fancy a stint in Libya?", I can safely say that my answer would have been a resolute, "Not at all".

The job offer comes from a client Woz worked with in the past, who has since gone on to head up the project in Libya. Woz and he had kept in contact so when Woz casually mentioned to him that he was going to look around to see what other projects were out there, he was offered a job on the spot, however, unlike the other positions we'd looked at, it wasn't in London, but Libya. What followed was months of emails and verbal conversations with staff members in Libya, Boston, Dallas, LA and now, finally, a contract.

Although it's been a long process, and I've been dying to record some of it in writing, we were reticent to announce it to the world on our blog just in case a work colleague read it. Stranger things have happened. But this afternoon, Woz broke the news to his boss and formally resigned from work.

So, now, with the freedom to write I barely know what to say. From the moment Woz was offered a position, he has never questioned going. I however, have been on the proverbial seesaw, one minute excited by the adventure and opportunity, and the other frightened by the unknown. For this reason, Woz left the decision entirely with me and so over the last few months I have been weighing up the options, thinking through the impact of my decision on Woz, Nate, myself and our families in Australia, who have been understandably concerned over this new possibility.

I concluded this; I am a wife, who wants the best for her husband, and who would find it very difficult to deny him such a career opportunity, I am a mother who wants to give her son stability, but opportunity at the same time, I am a daughter, who wants her parents (all four of them) to forgive her for such a decision, and deep down, amongst the fear of the unknown, I am a woman who wants to explore and know every inch of this awesome globe and it's people.

So, moving to Libya we are, and it could be in as little as one month. After an induction conference call we will sign the contract this week which means that we have agreed to be there in 30 days, however as we're waiting on a visa, this time could be extended. Now that we're able to blog we'll keep you all posted on the process, each and every exciting and terrifying detail.

'Look out Libya', it has a certain ring to it don't you think?

sad

Okay, I now officially have Seasonal Affective Disorder (by self diagnosis). Let me take a few moments to explain. The first two years Woz and I were here we enjoyed beautifully mild Winters with a touch of snow, and stinking hot Summers. We laughed in the face of those who said that we'd hate the weather here.

Unfortunately, last Summer that all came to an end, when our mild Winter continued into Spring and then Summer, and then the rains came. Summer was a complete washout but for a handful of warm days and so in September we braced ourselves for another Winter having had no respite over the last few months. This year, as Summer approached we lived in hope, each day looking at the forecast hoping for change. A cool May turned into a cool and wet June, which has now turned into a cool and wet (at times torrential) July. The grey wet days have done nothing for my mood, and added to the combination of no longer working my precious two days a week, I'm finding it difficult to say the least.

Living in a hot country at this point in time seems a no brainer.

bubble boy

Last night Woz, Nate and I caught up with my cousin Gemma who is travelling the globe with her friend Claire. She and Claire were in London for just a few days (they're now running with/from the bulls in Spain - ouch!). They're fresh from extensive travel in Asia and now plan to do a little travelling in Europe before settling in London where they will forge a new life for themselves over the next two years.

We met up at Regents Park for a picnic tea. London put on a spectacular show for us as we lounged about on the grass and chatted long into the warm Summer evening. Nate loved the night too, running around with the vast amounts of children who were also out with their parents. Nate had a trail of children following him most of the time as he was sporting a new bubble gun which was sufficiently broken in.

When he wasn't decorating the park with bubbles he stood, much to our amusement, on the path, waving 'Hies!' and 'Byes' to all the passers by.

woz will fix it

During our time on Papillon, Woz earned a reputation on the Marina as the local 'Canal Rescue Service' and was often called out by friends who had encountered a problem along the way on a trip along the canal. Thankfully, the boats were not made for speed, so whilst the helpless boaters had left hours before, Woz could usually catch up with them with a quick run along the canal path, where he would climb aboard and come to their rescue. Although we are no longer living afloat we've still maintained friendships with our ex-neighbours, who still live quite close by, and Woz has often been called upon for his services.

This weekend Woz received such a call and so spent a great deal of his Saturday helping some friends through the locks at various intervals. Nate and I joined them when they got back into the marina where the four adults tried rather comically to put up a canvas structure which is suspended over the front door to the boat. It wasn't long before one, two and finally three poles had ended up in the canal rendering the remaining poles and canvas useless.

Part of his Canal Rescue package it seems is Underwater Rescue and so Woz decided he would leap into the freezing water and thresh about with his feet in order to find the poles. Above water it was all hands on deck as we tried to keep the two boats apart (so he wouldn't be crushed) and to shout encouraging words to spur him on lest he realise just how disgusting the water he was chest deep in, was.

It wasn't long before he had found one, then another. On the finding of the third a round of applause broke out from the group who had gathered to watch him as Woz emerged triumphantly from the water.


Afterwards the mud from the canal was hosed off thanks to Chris, who you may see from the photo was also in a towel from the waist down, although in order to preserve his dignity and in his words to ensure he doesn't "end up looking like Laurel and Hardy" I have not commented on why he went in and why he did not emerge waving poles as Woz had.

back in the swing of things

It's been about two weeks now since Nate and I flew back into London armed with high hopes of a gloriously Summery London. Unfortunately we have been disappointed most days with grey sky and cool days pervading. Still, it has been green and the days long and Woz and I have been making the most of them, spending our weekends with friends walking from one cafe to the next, visiting parks in between, which are not in short supply in London, discovering new ones and finally walking home in the small hours of the night with Nate blissfully snoozing in his buggy.


So far this weekend however has been just too gray and uninspiring to motivate us to leave the house, and so we've spent most of it indoors, going through the incredible amount of 'stuff' we have in our loft and minimalising. We are forever in pursuit of a minimal existence and after this weekend, are getting just that little bit closer.

home again, home again, jiggity jig

We're home! It hardly seems as though Nate and I have flown from one side of the world to the other. Long haul flying with toddlers is very much like childbirth in my experience, hell when you're going through it but when you finally walk through your front door and sit down for a cup of tea you are already planning your next trip, just itching to do it again.

Nate and I had an incredible three weeks, mostly spent with Nate's four grandparents, allowing them to soak it in for a little while (and me put my feet up!) and some time with his doting Uncle's and Auntie's. We'll post up some more photos but at the moment are hindered slightly by the lack of computer so I am using Woz's work laptop when and where I can.

Now back home and enjoying Summer in full swing we're planning to take advantage of the fact that we no longer have a boat to maintain and hope to get out and about to see what the English Summer has to offer us. Look out London!

doting grandparents

mel & ruffy

the crowd

snap

mel & me

mum

brupa's shed

brupa's steam engine

mum and finn

mill valley ranch

There certainly is a lot for a boy to do out at Tynong Nth, Mill Valley Ranch being one of them. Mum and I took Nate for a walk over to the ranch yesterday where he spent hours running around exploring all the cars, trains and animals there. Tynong Nth put on a spectacular day of warmth for us too.

making friends

happy grandparents

nana, uncle matty, nate and pop

"look!" meer cats

verity, uncle benny, nate and a touch of autumn

neigh roar squawk

Nate has become interested in animals recently and particularly those he can mimic the noises of, so we thought a trip to the zoo was in order and the whole family came along (well most of them anyway). As it was Matt and Ben's birthday they both decided to take the day off from work and study, Ben's girlfriend Verity also joined us, as did Ron & Fiona and Mum & Dad. It was great to have everyone there and we had a great day wandering around and quite funny to see seven adults walking through the zoo for the benefit of just one little boy.

up up and away

After just a week home in London Nate and I checked into the airport again for a long haul flight, this time to Australia, and for the first time by myself with Nate in tow.

The trip was a complete surprise to everyone but a small handful of friends in London who were sworn to secrecy and to Auntie Sheena and Uncle Brian who helped me execute the surprise by organising to meet up with Woz's parents on the day I flew in. Ron and Fiona then helped me surprise Mum, Mum surprise Dad, and so on.

This photo was taken at our gate at Heathrow just minutes before I finally confiscated the apple in Nate's hand which had dropped to the ground and returned to his mouth too many times for me to handle. As I'd kept him up all morning to make sure he had a nap on the flight he was suitably tired and so he then threw a tantrum which lasted for at least half an hour before we boarded the plane and continued well after take-off. Not exactly the start to the 24 hour journey I had hoped.

We had three legs, London to Dubai, then to Singapore, then to Melbourne, with each flight being about six and a half hours long. All manageable flights but not one after the other. As it turned out it was okay and we got through it ... just. All though I have to say that long haul flights are very much like childbirth, hell when you're going through it but when it's all said and done you are very quickly planning your next trip.

richmond on a warm saturday afternoon

dear sponsor,

One of the days we were there the children in the home all spent an afternoon writing letters to their sponsors and drawing for them. I took Nate around with me and visited some of the homes where, along with the house mother, we got each sponsored child to complete a letter. They loved doing it and were so proud of their drawings, each wanting to show me along the way ... well, at least when they weren't distracted by Nate.

the playground

the littlest ones

One of my the places I just couldn't tear myself away from at the children's home was the babies nursery where I would just sit with the babies and hold them. The babies were aged from just days old to two years.

On my first day I fed a 2 month old baby who had been orphaned just hours after being born to her mother. The police had brought her to the children's home after she was found abandoned and on her first day of life she was passed to the women who work in the baby centre. As much as the women are caring, the newborn was to become just one of thirty and one of hundreds who live in the home. Unless she is adopted she will never know the love of just one woman, the devotion that only a mother can give to a child that she can call her own.

I had a revelation of just how fortunate Nate was to be born into a family who loves him. To have two parents who are dedicated to him, to ensuring that his every need is met, physically, socially and emotionally. Already at just two years he knows he's loved, valued and that he belongs.

the giraffe reserve