A Weekend in the Village of UKI, and Breakfast with John Hurt

Two weekends ago, Susan and I spent the weekend staying with two friends (Sara and Karin) in the Village of UKI.   The main draw was the reggae band playing at the Uki Hall and an opportunity to let our hair down and go dancing.  The event was called the "Glo Dance".  The music was good, but got much better after a few glasses of wine. The dance was open to all ages, as no alcohol is sold/served - it is fairly common to BYOB to most restaurants and events here.  I would say this dance reminded me of a dance that would take place at Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA., but I think there were far more dreadlocks per capita in Uki!  I imagine about 25% of the dancers were on "E" as well.  It made dancing with everyone really fun to say the least.  

The next morning we went out to breakfast at the local Uki Cafe.  Both the food and coffee where excellent.   OK, I exaggerated about having breakfast with John Hurt, but he was eating at the cafe that morning also (along with about 10 other diners) and looked a little rough, like perhaps he was at the dance as well.

Uki is a great little community and Susan and I will look for a house to rent or buy there.  I think the population is around 800 and they have a community dance about once a month to which half of the community shows up for it. They also have "trivia night" every thursday evening -  we still need to give this a try.  The people in the village seem to be very organized with planning a "sustainable community" as well.  Planning on growing enough food to support the population, alternative power, water conservation, etc.  There is even an organic brewery on the docket for consideration!  

Australian Drivers License

Two days ago I managed to get my Australian drivers license.  I was very thankful to not have to take a test!  I am much more relaxed about driving on the left hand side of the road these days.  I don't have to repeat "stay left" like a mantra any longer while driving.  I do go back the mantra when making a turn onto another street, especially a right turn.  Most of the time I find myself walking to the correct side of the car to drive it, but when I make a mistake and walk to the right side of the car in public, I just  casually pretend I am checking something on the passenger side, then go to the drivers side :)  .

I wonder how long it will take me to adjust when I come back to the States this summer?

It Feels Like Fall in the Pacific NW Here!

The beach after the storm!

It is nearly winter here, but it feels like fall in the Pacific NW.  Grey skies, lots of rain and temperatures in the 50's  when there is no sun.  When the sun does make a rare showing, it can shoot up to the 80's.  I am praying for sun.  We just lived through another big flood.  It was a "40 year flood " in the region.  We get cut off from the outside world very easily and there are at least 5 causeways that we have to cross to get out of the valley.  The first one is right outside the gate :)  It makes going anywhere impossible for days at a time.   We just need to be sure to have enough wine on hand at any given time!  Drinking wine and playing dominos is not a bad way to pass the days of rain and being cutoff here!!

Our quiet little Crystal Creek becomes a raging river!  This is the water (not at the peak of flooding) going over the causeway next to the driveway.

The roads are in constant need of repair from getting washed out.  The shire is pretty good about getting crews out to patch the damage.

There seems to be little "normal" stuff here!  Either too much or too little water!  Forget standing in the basin to save water, at least this week!