A Life Less Lost: Chapter 59
...We can almost feel David Attenborough beside us as we travel up to the 'tablelands' on the Skyrail cable car. Mesmerised by the wonder and variety of the creatures and plants we see, from the brilliant blue butterflies as big as my hand to the python we have to carefully step past on our way to breakfast, we decide God must have had a lot of fun creating Australia...
In a break from their busy lives Kimm Walker and her husband Howard visit relatives in Australia.
In and amongst this, Howard's company is sold again, to a European consortium. We're back to square one, as far as knowing what the future holds. To add to the deja vu experience, I'm to have an OFSTED inspection at my new school, immediately after Easter, exactly a year after becoming deputy.
I'm also chosen as one of twelve teachers in our education authority (140 schools) to be an associate teacher of literacy. This means that other teachers can come and watch me teach or talk to me about related issues. I'm part of a team that meets regularly to discuss new initiatives in literacy. This certainly boosts my confidence, gives me a voice and adds weight to my impetus for change. The advisor that heads the team calls us 'experts' but I describe myself as an enthusiast.
Before we realised how rapidly Delith's health was deteriorating, Howard and I had arranged to visit her over Easter. Tied to school holidays, we were unable to move this forward when it became clear she wouldn't make it until then but still feel we want to continue with our plans.
Australia is a long way away. You don't really appreciate how far until you make that journey. It's a thirteen hour flight to our stopover in Singapore, after many hours of travel to get to London. Claustrophobia suffocates me and I want to climb over the other passengers by the time we arrive.
Walking along the busy pavement in the evening, I begin to appreciate what a privilege it is to experience the exotic sights, sounds and smells of other countries.
Singapore is liquid with humidity but very clean; there are hefty fines for things like chewing gum in public places. The people we meet are unfailingly polite and helpful. We eat strange, delicious food; wander for miles looking at the shops, parks and other sights. There are unusual, extravagant, scented flowers everywhere. We treat ourselves to 'high tea' at Raffles and imagine we're in an old movie. When the heat finally beats us, we relax in the rooftop pool and sip Singapore Slings, continuing the Hollywood feel.
The first five days in Australia we spend in Port Douglas at the Thala Beach Resort. What a glorious place. Our 'room' is like a tree house built into the hillside on stilts, with a balcony from which we can look out over the canopy of the rainforest to the sea beyond. The warm air is heavy with the perfume of flowers and the sound of strange birds, insects and the sea.
We revel in our exploration of this corner of the world. We feel like Tarzan or Indiana Jones as we hike up a verdant, rainforest trail in the Mossman Gorge, tempted by the vines that hang around us but alert for dangers. The air smells rich and earthy. Our skin leaks in the steamy heat.
I can sense excitement in the tension of Howard's body, the animation of his speech. He can't sit still, as we glide over the ocean to the Great Barrier Reef. He is desperate to share this undreamt of aspiration with me so, despite an unreasonable fish phobia, I climb into flippers and snorkelling gear and sit on the platform, my legs dangling in the warm sea. But, when I put my face in the water, the colours, variety and movement of the fish leap into vivid life around me, and my determination is replaced by utter panic. I return my equipment, encourage Howard to do the proper diving he longs for and see the life of the reef from the safety of a glass submersible.
We can almost feel David Attenborough beside us as we travel up to the 'tablelands' on the Skyrail cable car. Mesmerised by the wonder and variety of the creatures and plants we see, from the brilliant blue butterflies as big as my hand to the python we have to carefully step past on our way to breakfast, we decide God must have had a lot of fun creating Australia.
From there we travel to Toowoomba, via Brisbane. At last, I can meet the people and see the places that Delith had written so lovingly about over the years and share in fellowship at the church that are such a support to the family. There is something very special about visiting another country from the 'inside', not as a tourist but in the homes of people that live there. We feel blessed to have time to spend with this part of our family.
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To purchase a copy A Life Less Lost click on http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=A+Life+Less+Lost
And do visit Kimm's Web site http://kbwalker-lifelesslost.blogspot.com/
