The Big Smoke, Melbourne...[just like Vancouver with the haze]

We spent the last two nights at The Wycliffe Bible Translators complex NE of Melbourne. Upon arrival we were met and watched by a group of resident kangaroos. For you naturalists I have enclosed a shot of Kangaroo scat, [poo].



Our accommodation is one of the bungalows normally used by people coming here to do work after being in the field in various countries.


The housing is more than adequate and people often occupy them for months at a time. In spite of the work done here, I was unable to connect to the internet.

Lyn's sister [see photo, Lyn on the right], and brother-in-law, Bruce, have been with Wycliffe for nearly all of their adult life.


They have spent time in Papau new Guinea and other remote spots translating that language into the written word, usually The New Testament. A truly admirable vocation. They are responsible for fund-raising for ALL their expenses, housing, food, transportation, supplies, printing and distributing the finished products.

Some of the projects are group efforts, some done by a couple or an individual. The picture of the lady [Val], is holding a newly published Aboriginal Bible in Kriol, an aboriginal language.


It took 27 years to complete and involved over 100 people in that time. There is also some financial help from the Bible Institute and other like-minded groups. The finished product is then sold, not given, to interested people for a nominal sum, usually a fraction of the total cost. The cost does NOT include the years of devoted work done by people, at their own expense.

We also nipped into the Dandenong Mountains, overlooking Melbourne one day for a creek-side picnic.


Lyn's Mum, Mary, is in the picnic shot, along with a lady called Velma (third from right in photo, she looks a bit like Gam). Velma is single, about my age and has spent basically all her life as a linguist, living amongst and working with the aboriginal people in the north. I had some good conversations with her as we strolled through the woods.


I find it fascinating to talk to people who are experts in their field and have had such a different life than what I used to consider "normal". It was a cool refreshing different day for us after the time at Maryborough. Besides, a stroll through the forest and well kept gardens is always good for the soul.



Fellette had wood-chopping withdrawals as she spotted a great woodpile on the property that needed some attention. Shame, no axe!


The countryside changed from brown to green as we closed in on Melbourne on the way here, and the weather was more tolerable. The heat however has followed us and we have changed plans and will skip Melbourne this trip and head back in the direction of Maryborough.

We stopped in at a bakery for picnic supplies in the mountains, and there, nicely displayed were their Christmas cakes! Somehow I cannot get my head around the fact that Christmas is fast approaching, and the weather is forecast to be 34 C in Melbourne tomorrow.