Australia Day in Clarendon, South Australia

Australia Day

It's my 20th year to observe Australia Day! I actually missed this special occasion since we went to South Australia. We ended up on a hill far away from the mundane hub and it was a soothing experience to be able to commune with nature while there.

We stayed in Crowther's Cottage which was preserved by the current owner. It was built in 1800 and had been passed down from one man who lost his wife, to a couple whose name bears the name of the cottage.

Kim and Steve decided to keep the memorabilias they found in this good condition heritage house and they left them there as part of the cottage's ornaments.

We had wine over pizza for dinner, one night, and what a marvelous sight to compliment the surrounding. Plum trees were in abundance with fruits. The granny smith apples and the nectarines.

Always, the birds were the most eye-catching view to look on.

Alas, we could see how much the drought has affected the area. Not sunburnt thought, the greenhills were only converted to light golden hills. We just enjoyed every moment there and of course, the walk down the valley was another pleasant experience to resist.

The scenery was quite idyllic fit to paint on a canvass. If only I am a painter... Then again, I can't paint the singing crickets.

20 years ago, my first feel of Australia Day was when I saw for the first time on television Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. That was my first touch about the English Royalty.

My arrival in Australia coincided their Bicentennial Year celebration since it was discovered by Thomas Cook. Not really, because the very first who saw this big island was actually a Dutch Explorer. Only he was too slow to claim the island, so he lost it to the English. It was not meant to be, however, else the Bible prophecy won't be fulfilled.

Then, my step-daughter Judy, who was in Year 6, invited me to their school playground dance, where I paired her for the colonial heritage dance. I just learned as I dance along with them. Easy!

Judy introduced me to her teachers, classmates and friends as her new step-mother. I was game, so everybody was happy!

I haven't seen her for years. Maybe one day, our path will cross again and we can relive the happy memories we had together. I am sure she is married and have children now.

Nowadays, Australia being one of the highly multicultural countries, the celebration was being shared by all. Everybody wanted to do this great country PROUD!

I do!