Max arrived 8 days ago to attend Beck's graduation (see earlier posts) and remained with us for the remainder of the week. That was great fun as we took him umpteen times to parks, work, my hairdresser, travel agents, clothes shops, the credit union, and finally the rock shop. My hairdresser, George, has established a rapport with Max and the latter demands George cut his hair once during each visit. Max is a budding geologist and he loves combing through boxes of 'rock's at the Rock Shop. This time he bought (with his own money) some nifty items including Pyrite with flecks of gold, a beautiful rock from a meteorite (i.e. extra-terrestrial), and some black crystals of quartz used I believe in depth-charges!
After a furious five days, we drove the 850km to Canberra - a journey of some 10 hours including all the pit stops for food drink and fuel. We had 3 days in Canberra covering ANZAC day, which has been turned into a kind of secular religion complete with pilgrimages (to Gallipoli and the Kokoda trail), incantations, rituals, and rhetoric presided over by a variety of people in all kinds of drag. Don't get me wrong: the military sacrifices being remembered are worthy of contemplation and reflection. The honouring of old soldiers and their support teams is likewise highly desirable. However, the whole event is going over the top - excuse the pun. It is, in my view, no longer a private affair but a celebration of national unctuousness. Some may disagree with me and I'd be happy to receive their comments.
Naturally, the focus of attention during our three days in Canberra was Max! He went to innumerable parks, a bike ride, shopping centres, Questacon (the home of science for kids), and the Royal Mint (pictured) where he punched himself a commemorative dollar coin and I gave him a proof 50c coin remembering the 40th anniversary of landing on the moon. He now has electric racing cars at home and raced him several times around the circuit, though it was difficult the speed low enough to prevent the cars becoming airborne. Max loves parks most of all, and especially the fortress (pictured) close to Lake Gininderra (pictured) at the heart of the suburb of Belconnen where he lives. He manages to find unintended uses for each item of play equipment (also pictured) and his favourite yesterday was the flying fox. Beck pushed down-hill fast so that he rebounded at the end and retraced 2/3rds of the route uphill swinging wildly - great fun.
AS
2 comments:
For Jean and I this is a joy to come! Helen is going back to work full time for the second half of next term though in September she will only do 3 days a week. We have been delegated to look after Jenson (now 7 months old) on the days when Helen is working. he is a dear little chap and I am sure that we shall enjoy his day-time company. We hope that he grows up to be like Max. Richard.
Richard, kids grow up fast these days and they are very demanding of time and effort. However, the task is rewarding.
AS
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