Monday 14 August 2017

Aussie Update

I used to think that when we lived on the Equator time went super fast but it seems in the southern hemisphere it is no different.

Some of you have been asking for an update on Simon's eye test the other week.  Sorry it has taken me so long to post an update.  He flew down to Brisbane and rented a car to drive to the clinic where he was to have the eye test.  Unfortunately he didn't pass this test either.  You may be wondering what does that mean for him and flying.  At this point we are not sure.  We are waiting to hear back from CASA and that could take some time.  Meanwhile life continues and Simon started his next course.  He will be taking a Indian lady through MAF's four week Standardisation course so that she can fly in our Northern Territory programme here in Australia.  He will be doing the same with a South Sudanese man who, in time, will return to South Sudan to fly all going well.  We might be in Australia but we continue to get to work cross culturally across more than just the Aussie culture.

Last Thursday we said goodbye to Simon's two sisters and brother-in-law who were visiting us from Switzerland.  It was fun to have them here and see parts of our neighbourhood that we haven't even seen yet.  This included snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef.  I am still amazed that we had the opportunity to do this even although it is on our door step.   We also visited some wildlife parks.  Normally we are on the lookout for lions, buffalo, leopards and elephants but this time it was crocs, koalas and different birds.

On one of our road trips as we were about to cross a bridge we noticed a group of people standing looking into the water.  Curiosity got the better of us so we stopped too only to find a very large crocodile on the opposite bank taking a snooze and a slightly smaller one in the water that would appear now and again.  Some guys were tempting it with a chicken on the end of a stick however there were no bites that day.

Below are some photos of our time together with family.  It was a special visit and we look forward to the next time.


Where are those turtles?


Shall I try standing next?



Who can spot Nemo?



Monika and Therese with "Crush"


Chillin on the beach...

Monika went along as a passenger on Simon's instruction flight.  Good practice for the student in passenger management :)



The girls just couldn't beat the boys!  Dani took the checkered flag each time!




Joshua making friends with a black parrot who squacked non stop


Zara and her furry koala friend Codi who just happened to pee right at that moment!