Tinto and Australia
While we were in Uki, Tinto announced to me that July was the month he arrived in Australia...forty (40) years ago! Tinto has spent the majority of his life now on Australian soil, not English earth...more than half of his life to be exact.
WOW! To me, that's a monumental moment.
We waited until we returned to the comfort of Kapunda to celebrate.
Tinto and I often discuss the pluses and minuses of being away from the country in which we were born. I have blogged about this topic before; it is an enormous undertaking. There are many values to living in another country and discovering the reality of a different culture. It is always a real education. The only negative point is that you have loved ones living far from you. (Well, I do...at least Tinto's children do not live in distant lands.)
While we were back in Tinto's birthplace for quite some time last year, I kept asking him which country he preferred. The only response I ever received was more like a mumble really. He often asks me the same question.
Last night we celebrated in Auburn, South Australia and I like to call it the House of the Rising Sun because it makes me sing THAT song, but I can't do that because it's proper name is: The Rising Sun Hotel. It's still good whatever you call it.
I attempted to pin him down; I pressured him a bit. C'mon, in which country does your heart really live? He replied that his beloved Father and brothers were in England so, of course, England will always be with him.
He DID say and this was not totally surprising to me that he couldn't live there again. Tinto said that he loves the sun and he can't live without it. Exactly! Bingo! Agreed.
England has some of the most lush, inviting, captivating, stunningly beautiful countryside, and every single time I experienced it I was in love and in awe. But, each and every day, increasingly, I began to feel like a mushroom. There were always clouds, low, grey, hovering clouds filled with mist or rain or wind.
LOW, GREY, and depressing. I think I might die if I were forced to live there. I can't experience enormous amounts of rain NOR cold.
No wonder when the sun appeared the entire village in Forest Row became different people. Smiles in abundance - personalities changed before your very eyes. People whom you thought had no idea how to form a smile or those muscles had no memory...suddenly turned into distinctively different humans.
Pure joy was in abundance. But, those days are few and far between.
I understand the people of London thrive. I get it that they go about their days and lives not caring one way or another and it matters not to them if they have to live with an umbrella attached to their bodies. I am happy that they don't care. What other way could you survive?
Every day I thank my lucky stars that Tinto has not suggested or pushed or wished us back to England.
England is not in the future for us and I remain grateful.
Pleased, though, that we can hop on a plane from time to time and visit the grand, extravagant city of London and see Marcus' Father and Mother, his brilliant brothers, and extended family. That will do perfectly.
So, we raised a glass to Australia and to us. For if Tinto had never chosen to take a step out of his comfort zone and experience the wonders of Australia...our paths would have never crossed. I remain grateful every night before I close my eyes for the fact that we are united.
SPECIAL NOTE: This week remains outstanding for another reason. Tinto's youngest, and extremely adventurous, born without fear daughter, has landed in Africa to do some work with an orphanage. In a frazzled, scary, and precarious world she (in her very young years) has had enough and wants to make a difference to children whose lives have been shattered beyond recognition. In this venture we wish her well and will remained concerned for her safety until she returns to her Australian home.
The Rising Sun Hotel had changed in our absence. More rooms opened for dining and nice, inviting, and warm fires were burning in many of the rooms. Food was well presented and delicious and even though they had not had many requests for a martini, the bartender/manager went out of his way to make his version to be served in a champagne glass. I LOVE THE AUSTRALIAN SPIRIT.
Get there when you can; it's only about a 40 minute drive from Kapunda~!
WOW! To me, that's a monumental moment.
We waited until we returned to the comfort of Kapunda to celebrate.
Tinto and I often discuss the pluses and minuses of being away from the country in which we were born. I have blogged about this topic before; it is an enormous undertaking. There are many values to living in another country and discovering the reality of a different culture. It is always a real education. The only negative point is that you have loved ones living far from you. (Well, I do...at least Tinto's children do not live in distant lands.)
While we were back in Tinto's birthplace for quite some time last year, I kept asking him which country he preferred. The only response I ever received was more like a mumble really. He often asks me the same question.
Last night we celebrated in Auburn, South Australia and I like to call it the House of the Rising Sun because it makes me sing THAT song, but I can't do that because it's proper name is: The Rising Sun Hotel. It's still good whatever you call it.
I attempted to pin him down; I pressured him a bit. C'mon, in which country does your heart really live? He replied that his beloved Father and brothers were in England so, of course, England will always be with him.
He DID say and this was not totally surprising to me that he couldn't live there again. Tinto said that he loves the sun and he can't live without it. Exactly! Bingo! Agreed.
England has some of the most lush, inviting, captivating, stunningly beautiful countryside, and every single time I experienced it I was in love and in awe. But, each and every day, increasingly, I began to feel like a mushroom. There were always clouds, low, grey, hovering clouds filled with mist or rain or wind.
LOW, GREY, and depressing. I think I might die if I were forced to live there. I can't experience enormous amounts of rain NOR cold.
No wonder when the sun appeared the entire village in Forest Row became different people. Smiles in abundance - personalities changed before your very eyes. People whom you thought had no idea how to form a smile or those muscles had no memory...suddenly turned into distinctively different humans.
Pure joy was in abundance. But, those days are few and far between.
I understand the people of London thrive. I get it that they go about their days and lives not caring one way or another and it matters not to them if they have to live with an umbrella attached to their bodies. I am happy that they don't care. What other way could you survive?
Every day I thank my lucky stars that Tinto has not suggested or pushed or wished us back to England.
England is not in the future for us and I remain grateful.
Pleased, though, that we can hop on a plane from time to time and visit the grand, extravagant city of London and see Marcus' Father and Mother, his brilliant brothers, and extended family. That will do perfectly.
So, we raised a glass to Australia and to us. For if Tinto had never chosen to take a step out of his comfort zone and experience the wonders of Australia...our paths would have never crossed. I remain grateful every night before I close my eyes for the fact that we are united.
SPECIAL NOTE: This week remains outstanding for another reason. Tinto's youngest, and extremely adventurous, born without fear daughter, has landed in Africa to do some work with an orphanage. In a frazzled, scary, and precarious world she (in her very young years) has had enough and wants to make a difference to children whose lives have been shattered beyond recognition. In this venture we wish her well and will remained concerned for her safety until she returns to her Australian home.
The Rising Sun Hotel had changed in our absence. More rooms opened for dining and nice, inviting, and warm fires were burning in many of the rooms. Food was well presented and delicious and even though they had not had many requests for a martini, the bartender/manager went out of his way to make his version to be served in a champagne glass. I LOVE THE AUSTRALIAN SPIRIT.
Get there when you can; it's only about a 40 minute drive from Kapunda~!
Inviting, sweet, and warm...
Art covering the walls; I think it is probably
the art of locals...perhaps even the high school?
Not sure.
Bombay Sapphire Gin, Dry Vermouth, NO ice
in the house AND a slip of a lemon in a champers glass.
It worked like a charm.
An attempt at Frida Kahlo de Rivera...I am presuming.
Front dining room was already packed by the bar...
we were sent to the 'Oh, you must have made a late booking area!'
Thoroughly enjoyed ~ not a problem!
Topped off the night with a sip of Kahlua!
Seemed right after experiencing Frida...
And...someone I know and love began the morning
searching for THE WARMEST SPOT OF SUN
in order to read the Sunday paper.
Tinto rarely reads my blog and BOY, AM I HAPPY
ABOUT THAT 'cuz he IS WEARING MY LOUNGE PANTS!
Snug as a bug in a rug in the warmth of the Australian morning sun.
TA!
Posted with sheer astonishment that Tinto has been in Australia
now for 40 years!
We are thinking of you. Please be safe in your efforts.
See you on the flip side...and thank you for that huge HEART of yours.
We are thinking of you. Please be safe in your efforts.See you on the flip side...and thank you for that huge HEART of yours.
Blanco, The Roaming Stevens
PS: Please excuse any typos.
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