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Waratah, one of NSW's symbols (on the driving license as well)

Australian driving license. So far we have driven with our German plus an international driving license. But with the new car we are eager to get a new driving license as well. It's a pure administrational formality: One certified translation, one certificate proving our successful eye surgery, and $96 later we can proudly present our first official Australian document. In Australia the driving license has the importance of the German national identity card. With name, address, and photo on it we can now use it for instance to check-in at the airport.

Hobart harbour on the homepage

Peter' photos on the company homepage. Peter takes his camera with him to a department outing and stores everything and everybody on the film, sorry, flash memory card. When his pictures get enjoyed by all colleagues the company's webmaster has a great idea: To publish one of his shots on the company website. Hence one of the Hobart harbour snapshots from our Overland Track gallery gets some unexpected recognition.

Kayakers out of the water

Rock'n'Roll. On the long weekend 11-14 March it is finally time for Rock'n'Roll 2005, the major event of our sea kayak club. For Claudia who together with Kevin is one of the main organisers it is the culmination of preparation for month. What had to be kept in mind! Choosing an appropriate venue, finding arrangements with the campsite, looking for volunteers to help with the registration, organising a Saturday night buffet dinner, touch base with sponsors and businesses, inform the authorities and Red Cross and much more. No wonder Claudia is nervously awaiting the weekend. But actually there is no reason for concerns: Everything works well, even the weather is in her (and the club's) favour, and more than a hundred participants plus their families enjoy a most pleasant and exciting weekend with many activities on and off the water. If you fancy have a look at the agenda that is archived on the club's website. In contrast to Peter, who besides his main task as official event photographer still finds some time to hop into his boat, Claudia barely manages to go paddling. However, that's something she will do in April instead. More about this in our next report.

Wouldn't you donate money for him?!

Fund Raising. Here for a change some words about something typical Australian rather than about one of our activities: Fund raising. Admittedly you will find this in Germany as well. However, it is much more present in Down Under. Either "officially" in form of for instance the Daffodil Day or Bandaged Bear Day to support the Cancer Council or a Children Hospital. Or in form of private activities when people collect money for their daughter's school. Many producers offer their products at a discounted price, and by selling these goodies to friends you can make a profit some good cause directly will benefit from. Coming back to the topic Rock'n'Roll: At this event chocolat bars and other candies sold like hot cakes, and the club got a bit of an income. Unfortunately, we cannot answer the question if this type of fund raising is sponsored by the dentists' association... :-)

... and all this just for the two of us!

Easter. Talking about March we shouldn't forget Easter. In Australia this is a very long weekend since Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Most Aussies make use of this offer and go on a short vacation. Or even a longer one as traditionally Easter time is the start of the school holiday season. Anyway, this results in chock-a-block highways, hotels, campsites and a rather deserted Sydney. Which does not mean that there is nothing to do, just the contrary. Hence, Claudia and Peter stay in the city spending their time with different activities each day: Brunch in Bondi Beach and watching dozens of surfers, a walk along the cliffs of Sydney's southern beaches suburbs, bathing in rock pools (i.e. natural pools close to the water's edge that get flooded every now and then). On the following day we visit the white water championships in Penrith's olympic regatta centre. A day hike in the Blue Mountains leads us to beautiful canyons with crystal clear creeks in them. And on Monday we finally wrap up the topic Rock'n'Roll with a dinner for the main volunteers. Time is flying through, and soon the four days are over. BTW: Has anybody already considered the idea of an Easter Tuesday?