Blog 37 - 20th February

There have been no blogs for a while as I have been busy with family matters. My Dad, Peter Raphael, died on 6th February, aged 83 years. He went from home to hospital and passed away within a few days. During this time Dad managed to say goodbye to his 16 grandchildren, 6 children, Mum and his four remaining siblings, before going peacefully. He was truly ready and slipped away so gently. While it is very sad to lose Dad, the way of his dying was a gift to us all and could not have been better if he had scripted it himself. Here is a photo of Dad taken on Christmas Day.

Moving backwards in time, just before this, Damien and I had a wonderful weekend staying with Damien and Dianne, catching up with Damian, Judy and Michael, our dear friends. Thank you all for caring for us and welcoming us to Melbourne yet again.

Dianne and I went to visit Dad's family, including his 93 year old sister, Norma, mother of 15 and grandmother of 88 children. Dianne and Norma had a wonderful time sharing stories of nurse training at St Vincent's hospital.

Those who know me well will be familiar with my regular bush-walking trip to Tasmania. From Melbourne I flew to Hobart where I spent less than 24 hours before I was called back for Dad. Luckily I was not in the wilderness yet as contact would have been very tricky. I did manage a coffee at Jackman and McRoss with Biddy. Here's me with my backpack all ready on our way to the airport.

Thank you once again to my friend Marie-Ann for your hospitality. Check out those wonderful white roses taken care of by Paddy! Those who visited us when we lived in Hobart will recognize our Battery Point home in the background.

Thanks to my son, Dominic, for taking such good care of us. Here we are on our front veranda on our way to the airport - yet again!

Where's Wally (Susan?) Can you see me? We planned to meet our son Jacob in Kuala Lumper airport as he was transiting to Cambodia from Indonesia as we were passing by on our way from Australia to Korea. By coincidence, we had a 25 minute overlap, however our plane was late and he had already boarded when we arrived at the Old Town White Coffee house, a traditional Malaysian cafe. We ate a laksa and had a tradtional coffee (see the photo above) in his honour anyway!
So here we are back again happy to be home. Here is the view from our window taken this morning. It was minus three when we returned on Monday night, however today (Sunday) is a balmy 6 degrees so the snow is melting.

Blog 36 Summer Down Under

We have spent the past month catching up on some sunshine in our hometown, Adelaide. Here are some photos of Sellicks Beach, 50 minutes south of the city - 28 kilometres in distance. Our family has a beach house on the esplanade and we have spent some wonderful times watching the passing parade, walking on the beach and swimming.

Sellicks is one of the few beaches that it is possible to drive on. This invites people to set up camp for the day with tents, food and music.



Meals are often eaten outside. Here my sister, Maree, her son Oliver and my nephew, Elliot, are helping Damien with dinner. The beach and sunset are in the background.

The peach tree in the back garden is very neglected and yet continues to produce an abundance of fruit. People have been busy making stewed peaches, chutney, jam and peach tarts.

My consultant's group, Quintus, met for our annual Christmas lunch in January as is our custom. Here Megan and Vera wait to open gifts. Thanks to Marie for another amazing meal prepared for us all.

Blog 35 - 26th December

Travelling back to Australia from snowy Seoul after a four hour delay due to fog, we spent some time in Singapore in transit visiting with our friends Pat and Rick. Thanks to you both for a delicious home cooked meal in your newly renovated kitchen. It was so wonderful to catch up after many years of emails and phone calls. We look forward to catching up again before too long.

One of the traditions of Adelaide Christmas is the central market shopping on Christmas Eve. We collected our son Jacob from the airport and met our friend Monika, a previous guest editor and visitor to Seoul, for breakfast including wonderful coffee at Zuma. Cherries were in abundant supply however prices slightly up due to recent rains. Here is the link for those planing a visit to Adelaide. http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/

Our friends, Cathy (pictured here with Monika) and Peter, invited us to Christmas drinks the day after our return. Here we are on their patio with long lost and dear friends. Another special night together - thanks to you both for yet more generous hospitality.

Family get togethers are quite large for us - 24 in my sister Anne's garden for Christmas lunch - so with the direction of Richard, the engineering feet of constructing a bamboo outdoor shelter on Christmas Eve was easy. Photos of construction workers follow - Alex, Anne, Christian, Sophie, Jacob and Paula.

Step 1 - measure and cut bamboo to lengths so they are the same.

Step 2 - stand and discuss the best way to go!

Step 3 - work out how to attach the sheeting to the poles


Step 4 - set the table and wait for the party!

Step 5 - Party!


Step 6 - Christmas re gifting - Joe hit the jackpot!


Step 7 - more eating and drinking


Step 8 - the end


Our neighboring street is famous for the house lights at Christmas. Here is a selection of one.

Blog 34 - 12th December

Guest editors of this week's blog are Dominic and Maddy, who have been visiting for the last week, in the middle of a two months long trip spanning Japan, Korea, and China.

Although this photo was taken before we actually arrived here in Seoul, we've heard so much about these three grey-haired professors and this night that we felt like it ought to be included. This is, from left to right, Mark, Bob and Damien, sitting in the "priority seating" area of the Seoul subway on their way to dinner celebrating their respective birthdays. The dinner that night was so good, the restaurant makes a second appearance below.

As you would know, Korea gets cold, so in the evenings there's little else to do but turn the underfloor heating to high and get a'puzzling. This 500 piece puzzle that Dad got from the National Museum of a battle scene was completed with Maddy's help shortly after arrival.

Just in case we hadn't got the idea yet, so as to reinforce the point, Korea showed us its whiter side. At first snow is pretty, fluffy, and embodies everything that's pure, then you get caught in it and you get cold, wet and hate the stuff. This is the view out of the apartment of the first snow of winter.

Another popular way to keep warm is the local coffee house. It’s all very cultural, I assure you. Due to the popularity, and the various sleeping students (it’s exam time) we squashed into this corner for our boiling hot lattes.

We’ve found that occasionally, in the battle between trying to look good, and keeping warm, this desire for comfort often wins out.

But not on this occasion.

Too busy to look at the camera, Dad and Maddy enjoy one of what seemed like 100 courses of the set dinner at Chaegundaam. They don’t have a website, but if you’re ever in Seoul, I highly recommend it.

On Sunday, Susan and I (Maddy) visited The House of Sharing, the residence and museum for survivors of sexual slavery during the Asia-Pacific War. The issue of ‘comfort women’ has only been in the spotlight since 1991 but the nine Halmoni that live there have been fighting for the human rights violations and past injustices against them to be recognized by the Japanese Government constantly since. Even though they are all quite old they are still active in protests, visits and sharing testimonials. It was a horrifying but inspiring day and I’d strongly urge everyone to go, especially to meet the Halmoni while they are still alive. www.houseofsharing.org

We have loved Korea and think everyone should visit Seoul while Susan and Damien are here. They are excellent hosts and guides!!