American Thanksgiving in Australia & Happy Birthday Jim

One of my "Auditory-Verbal moms" at the Cora Barclay Centre is American.

We were so lucky that she always invites the stranded Americans she knows in Australia to a real Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings. What a meal! We had two turkeys - one cooked in the oven and one cooked "on the barbie"! Jim and I enjoyed an authenitic family Thanksgiving with this fabulous and fun family.

Jim was actually born on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day in 1953. This year Jim's birthday was not on Thursday, but we celebrated Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov 26th which was actually his birthday. So, how old Jim is now?

"Australian Watercolors" travel studies by Jim Watson

Bay of Islands, Great Ocean Road
Pennington Bay, Kangaroo Island
Back Courtyard, Jerningham Cottage (our first "home" in Adeladie)
Waterfall Gully, Adelaide
Our Back Courtyard with view of Anglican Archbishop's Residence, North Adelaide

Going to Kangaroo Island & down under the earth inside Kelly Caves

Kangaroo Island BIRDS

We visited Pardana wildlife park in the center of the island - saw many birds close up - Australia is home to so many exotic birds. We love to see and learn more about our feathered friends. Jim and I notice everyday how different it SOUNDS "down under" because of the birds' song we hear. I do not think we'll ever get used to seeing so many colorful birds just flying around - we think they should be in a zoo - but it is their natural habitat.

Remarkable Rocks Kangaroo Island

Incredible, but true, these remarkable rocks are called "Remarkable Rocks". Formed by erosion, this granite rock formation is part of an ancient granite dome. Over the millenia the rocks have been carved into amazing shapes.

Kangaroo Island November 2006

During our first three months in South Australia, people kept asking us if we'd been to Kangaroo Island. This small, but largely untouched island ten miles off the coast is home to indigenous flora, fauna, and over 250 specieses of birds. We were enticed, intrigued, just had not found the right time to go, but then....one Friday morning, we acted on a spontaneous idea and got the last two seats on a tour bus to Kangaroo Island. Lea and Jim on a tour bus? Why not?

As the sun came up on Saturday, a large bus met us just down the street from our home in North Adelaide. The scenic two hour drive south to Port Jervis gave us time to relax and realize we had snuck away without anyone knowing. Jim was thrilled to leave the driving to them!

We landed in Penneshaw, a small town, made our way to Pennington Bay, then on to see the seals all along Seal Bay - so close to these wild sea creatures. At a wildlife park, a joey named "Jack" gave me a kiss! So cuddly and cute! Pelicans in Kingscote make a habit of showing up for a feed at 5 pm everyday. And just a little later in the evening, Fairy Penguins waddle along and nestle into the rocks at nightime.

Kangaroo Island is full of natural surprises. We love KI!

IRELAND Murphy Family Reunion August 2006

Most of us were happy with the spectacular views of the surrounding moutains, but my brother Ed found time to hike. I think he hiked Hungry Hill everyday! No one went "hungry" at the farm as Alma & Valerie, with the help of all the Murphys prepared a delicious lunch for us right at the farm - with a gluten free section!

John Murphy gave a detailed tour of the fields, the inside of the old house, and explained life on the farm and the way the farm worked. Farming is an occupation involving science, management, wisdom, skill and good ole' Irish luck!

August 2006 Ireland

Glendalough, County Wicklow - My cousin, John Murphy poses for a picture where St. Kevin started a monastic settlement in the 6th century - a very peaceful & sacred spot. Killashee, a convent school has been converted into a lovely restaruant where my cousins treated us to a delightful lunch and an enchanting day walking the gardens.
The Caseys of California (my first cousin, Vince & fam) also joined the family reuinion -visiting at our cousins' house - Paul and Valerie Campbell in Carlow, Ireland.
I stand with my cousins - Denise and Orla near St. Kevin's cell perched above the serene lake.
Uncle Bill Murphy of upstate NY with his grandson, Darius, in Casteltownbere, Ireland. Bill told us that his dad (Edward Dennis Murphy) had told him that his family came from a place in Ireland with the word "castle" in the name. EDM's dad had died when EDM was very young, so that was all he knew and passed on to his son Bill. Bill remembered that and kept trying to find where his family's home was. In 2002 he was told to contact Fr. Pat Murphy with the details of who his ancesters were. Fr Pat realized Bill was referring to his own gradfather's brother, Cornelius. What a great feeling to find out where your family came from in Ireland and meet your long lost cousins!

Castletownbere, Ireland July 2006

Lea recounts; "Keara really wanted us to join her at the family reunion in Ireland. I remember her saying; 'Mom, before you go to Australia, don't you want to see where your family came from and meet all the relatives that are still there?' "

As we traveled to our sabbatical in Australia, we were able to attend the Murphy family reuinion in Castletownbere, County Cork, Ireland. We met our "new found" cousins who remained in Ireland when our ancester, Cornelius Murphy, left the family farm for America in the early 1800s . My mother's brother, Bill Murphy, discovered our Irish "roots" about 4 years ago.

Cornelius had about 10 siblings, one named John. John Murphy's descendents grew up on the family farm. Three of his grandsons, Michael, John, and Fr. Pat and all 50 of their relaitves welcomed us back to the actual farm of my great-great grandfather. Michael Murphy still lives there!

Scotland

Jim and I decided to take a sabbatical year teaching at an Auditory-Verbal Center in Adelaide, South Australia. On our way east around the planet, we met our daughter, Keara, in Scotland to track down our Scottish roots.

Adelaide, South Australia

Adelaide is the driest capital city in the driest state in the driest country in the driest continent.
The city was designed on a one mile grid with parks all around the perimeter. The Torrens River flows between North Adelaide and the city. We live in North Adelaide near the Anglican Archbishop's enclave of sandstone buildings. Adelaide is called "the city of churches", but we call it the "city of cafes". All the restaurants we sampled so far are excellent. Bike paths are everywhere. The seaside is a short drive with beautiful beaches. Vineyards are less than one hour away in all directions. The wine tastes great. The Adeladie Hills surround the city.