Day 1, April 6

Technical difficulties, however, I think we are up and running.

First of all, Happy Easter everyone.  I hope you don’t have to go too many miles to walk off the chocolate. 

This country is sooooo laid back. Not hard to like Australia.

My first 10 days are with John in Rockhampton. 

After landing in Australia, I was wiped.  To put it mildly!  When the Qantus agent said Mrs. Smyth would you like to wait for another flight to Rockhampton, I was pleased – no rushing to the domestic terminal.  Took her up on the offer and stayed in Brisbane for an extra two hours.  Easy to recover from the flight, showers, comfort stations in the airport.  How civilized!!

 I met John recording my every move when I landed in Rockhampton.  John had my day planned.  No resting, no sleeping until evening.  Best way to conquer the jet lag and he was right. 

I think he is in Heaven, quite literally, not only in terms of the awesome weather, but also his job.  After a quiet hour on his deck, he took me on a tour of the Rockhampton Grammar School property which took about 2 hours.  You can see a legend of the school grounds which shows the buildings, tennis courts, gymnasium, theatre, auditorium, two-tier fitness  facility, swimming pool, boarding houses, and sports fields, and outdoor gardens, even has its own 5- bed hospital.  First line of defense for students and staff of approximately 1500!  Holy cow!  

We had lunch on the outdoor senior students lounge on the third level of the school’s Islay Lee Learning Centre which overlooks the City of Rockhampton.  By the way, would you like to go to school where the corridors are outside?  That’s it, classrooms inside, walk to your next class outside.  I had a lesson in Mr. Smyth’s Sports Science class.

Did I say holy cow?  Well.  Speaking of cows.  Did you know that Rockhampton is the beef capital of Australia???  Signs at the airport advertise Beef Week 2012 in May.  Why they even have the annual Beef Ball!!!!  Not sure what the mode of dress is - Spurs and Stetsons maybe.  Cattle farming and mining are huge in Queensland, and many of John’s students are children of miners and farmers.

Next stop the Rockhampton Grammar School Rowing Facility- Mr. Smyth’s idea of Paradise.  It’s located on the Fitzroy River, about a 5 minute drive from school -   Boathouse, boatshed, over 30 boats for approximately 110 rowing students who row on 20 kms of water.  Rowing practice begins at 5:45am, SHARP, seven days a week.  And the rowing clubhouse can cater to parties, weddings, meetings, and maybe even the Beef Ball!   

After a quick tour of the south side of Rockhampton, it was lights out for me at 7 pm.  They didn’t come on again until 7am the next day.