In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army





Lest We Forget!

Our web site has proven to be even more popular than we had imagined or anticipated. This became clear when we hadn’t posted for 7 days last week. The roar of the crowd was fearsome! “Where are you? We demand more postings! What’s going on?”

We would like to take this opportunity to thank those people who were responsible for helping us with the realization, concept and design of our web site and business cards, and of the trip itself, without which none of this would have happened.

First, Brian MacDonald in Toronto, for being our first go-to. He pointed us in the right direction for dealing with the initial information overload. Thanks Brian, for sorting us out.

Ryan Thompson, of Artifex Design in Vancouver, for his brilliant design of the website. We saw eye to eye very quickly with ideas for the design of the site and the day-to-day running has been a breeze. Thanks, Ryan.

And finally, Bill Baker in Vancouver (and environs, sorry Billy..I can never remember where you live. It is “Summer” something in BC somewhere) for the wonderful concept and design of our trip cards. They have been a hit everywhere we go. So much so that we are having t-shirts made up. Special web offer-- $49.99 US$ while supplies last! Plus S&H and all applicable taxes.

If anyone is looking for some top notch work to be done, contact us and we will send you all their coordinates.

While we’re at it, we’d also like to acknowledge the work done for us by Aaron Livie of Flight Centre on Bay Street in Toronto in figuring out what we wanted, when often we didn’t know, in finding the obscure hotels or attractions we’d heard about but couldn’t find ourselves, and for his patience; Aaron is heading off to on a wonderful trip of his own soon, to South Africa, and we wish him a fantastic time!

Keep those comments coming!

“What you are producing here on your web site is wonderful, magnificent, outstanding, lovely and much more.” La Contessa d’H.

“I hadn’t checked in for awhile and I was amazed at all you've done . . . . Your writing is so great it almost makes me feel as those I've seen and experienced all these things with you . . . which helps (almost) ease the pain of surfing your site while I'm at work .” B.H

“Its cold here!! It all sounds so beautiful. I love the pictures and the tales you both tell. Looking forward to more...” C.S.

“This sight is becoming a part of my routine at work...” C.W.

“Your public demands news. You've got a very popular website.” B.S.

“Shopping at the IGA? You could have done that in Picton!” D.&H.Z.

“Brian, Gary and I are all anxiously awaiting your next update. We have information needs you know. I hope this isn't some Hollywood-style PR strategy you're pulling to create a frenzy among your adoring fans. Did you really think this was YOUR trip and yours alone???? If there is no update by end of day, I'm buying a Hello! magazine to help with the DT's (Do Tells).” J.J.

"You are doing a wonderful job of conveying the wonder of your expedition." J.&J.M.

"[Y]ou've created a monster, but many of us don't care. There. I've said it, and I'm glad. More entries! Quick! If you don't post soon, I'm going to switch to porn. I mean it! Just try me!" G.G. (Not Greg George)

These are all true testimonials. Really. Honestly.

And as a final note: It started to rain yesterday here in Sydney. Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief because it has been so dry here. They are predicting rain until Saturday. Sigh!

Happy Birthday Rosemary!

We started toward the airport today about 8:30 a.m. for a 1:35 p.m. flight. With 2 in the car, we got to use the carpool lane on the highways, which helped considerably. Got to the airport a bit earlier than anticipated, checked in, and then waited to board the plane to Auckland, where my sister Ruth (and our 1st summer of 2004) will be waiting for us when we land at midnight tomorrow Auckland time.

From the plane we had the most amazing view of Santa Catalina, an island off the coast of LA, and some beautiful cloudscapes.



We are hurtling towards the date line at a land speed of about 905 km/hr and an altitude about 11,000 meters. The Marquesas Islands are about 1477 km to our south east and we are about equal distance between the Hawaiian Islands and Hiva Oa at approximately 1574 km and over 5000 km from our departure at LAX.

The time is about 4:32 p.m. in Auckland on Wednesday Jan the 7th, 6 hours into the flight, and another 7 to go. Our tired old body clocks tell us that it is still January the 6th in LA. This is a very long flight, despite Melanie, the flight attendant, who is doing her best to make it a very enjoyable (read: liquid) flight, and who is so excited about us being on our honeymoon that every time she talks to us she gushes.

A day of travel and time for contemplation. The beginning of a year of living in the moment, following an intense period of planning, when it often seemed that we spent all our time living in the future as we laid the groundwork for the trip.

We got to the airport early, driven by our wonderful friend Carmela and her daughter Kathryn. At the airport, there were long lines to clear the US immigration inspection. We get through, and sit quietly in the lounge, making a few last minute calls to friends and family. Then we get onto the plane, but there is a 1 hour delay in pushing back from the terminal. And because of the headwinds the flight is about 30 minutes longer than normal. Lots of time to reflect on the adventure we’re beginning. There are a few tears shed as we fly through the afternoon.

The movie on the flight is “Under the Tuscan Sun”. The name of the villa, Bramasole, means “yearning for sun”, and it is an apt description of the year we begin. Some particular quotes from the movie stand out: “Terrible idea! - don’t you just love them!” and “Regrets are a waste of time.” I believe there are no coincidences, so I take all of this as a good omen for our journey.

Finally, much later than expected, on a wet and rainy Friday evening, we arrive at the home of our friends Larry and Del in Hollywood. Outside, the clear air is wet and sensuous with the smell of eucalyptus. Inside, we find wonderful smells of stew enveloping the house – so warm and welcoming!

That night when we open our luggage we discover that Carmela and Frank have tucked little remembrances into our bags, and so we end the day thinking again of the tradeoffs we have made – exchanging a home and friends for a voyage of exploration of the new, and hopefully of self-discovery.

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