Greetings from Chamomile

Dear George,

Thanks for your recent postcards and news. Most people enjoy getting letters and postcards, especially from the other side of the world. Pictures of Bogota Colombia and Oaxaca Mexico in the mail just give that bit of excitement to the day. Also I enjoy reading a little snap of your life as a parish priest and religious ceremonies.

After four years away from Australia it must be a good feeling to be coming home soon. You said you were taking a trip to The Holy Land then returning to Peru on Oct 22 before leaving for Australia soon after. Elvie, Meredith and I hope you do get the chance to visit us at the farm, for the first time without Pat who remains dear in our hearts and will forever. We each have our fond memories of the wonderfully warm and witty lady. For mine, she had the knack of always making you feel you were important and everything seemed fine when with her, you could laugh at the world. And I felt the same when I was 10 years old through to 50 plus.


It's been some time since I wrote for which I apologize. A previous letter of yours has been on my desk for some months, left deliberately so I'd write but till now it hadn't happened. One way or another life has been hectic. Your letter concluded, "Life is full of change and adventure." That's for sure. Ours probably not as much as yours but our family business and the connection to nature and the elements provides plenty of challenge, interest and excitement. Change is rapid around us. Housing developments here in Gembrook, and new supermarket and shops in Emerald.


Most importantly, we're all well George. We look after each other. It has been a wet year in eastern Australia as I'm sure you've heard. About a month ago there was ten inches of rain in the mountains on one weekend which swelled all the rivers on the north side of the divide with subsequent good flows down the Murray and into Sth Aust., at last. Eildon went up 8% of it's capacity in one week and now is at almost 60%. I remember when we were in Peru our guide telling us that when Australia has a La Nina, Peru has an El Ninio (and vica verca) so I hope the Peruvian farmers are not suffering from an Andes drought. I know that can mean near starvation for some.

Looking forward to seeing you in the not too distant future, safe traveling and God bless,


Carey

PS  I'm writing this on my blog, as then tomorrow I can print on the other computer that has a printer connected, and send it hard copy. Also I can copy and paste onto hotmail and email to you. So it should reach you one way or another when you get back to Peru on the 22nd. Don't forget you have a warm invitation.