Giving Thanks

This post comes to you from beautiful, uptown Mt. Rumney in Tasmania at the home of our friends Jill and Andrew. Jill is a Canadian ex-pat married to born-and-raised-in-Tasmania Andrew. We met them in 1990 when we lived next door to them in a Vancouver west end apartment block. 18 years, six kids and two continents later, we've just finished the most decadent Sunday brunch at their home, in honour of Canadian Thanksgiving. We arrived in Hobart about 48 hours ago and have just dined with half a dozen other Canadian ex-pats, their partners and kids. It's been a full-on immersion this a.m. and we're thankful for it all.

To recap our travels since my last blog; we caught the overnight ferry from Melbourne last Thursday. We departed about 8:30 p.m. and arrived in Devonport, Tasmania about 7:00 a.m. Friday. The crossing was fairly calm by Bass Straights standards, just a bit of 'rocking' (no worse than sleeping on a waterbed with Martin!) We had to fess up to Tasmania quarantine inspection when we arrived with a bag full of fruit and had to go through the inspection lineup. There was no getting past the dog sniffers with anything stashed (not that we were trying to do that, just that we were loath to toss our purchases). But toss we did, after having our own fruit-eating contest in the car as we waited in line for our turn at inspection. Amazing how much contraband fruit one family of five can consume within a 15 minute period!

We drove straight through to Hobart - a 3 hour trip that only took us about 7 hours! We arrived in time to collect the house keys from the real estate agent's office, locate and look at the house, drop in (unannounced) to the principals office of the kids school and have a tour of the school, purchase a few groceries and make and eat dinner before falling into bed. We did not have time to arrange telephone or internet service so are still without both of those until sometime this coming week (we hope).

Our house is terrific. Fantastic views, lovely and comfortable furnishings, kid-friendly trappings (movies, books, toys, fort in the yard). We're very fortunate to have located this home through Jill and Andrew and thank Rob, Jane, Bixby and Solomon for providing same to us!

I had my first 'pang' of homesickness this a.m. when I discovered our breakfast invitation was in honour of Thanksgiving. I had forgotten Thanksgiving was so early this year and as it's such a family-oriented time, I am feeling the distance. Today I am thankful for much, including technology, which facilitates this communication thereby making the distance seem less.

So to all of you in Canada who are preparing for your Thanksgiving feasts, may you enjoy the warm feelings of being in the company of family and friends and know that we are missing being with you in body but are with you in spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving!