Highway Star - Deep Purple

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Highway Star – Deep Purple

Get your motor running . . but who the heck knew that I’d see the Murray family matriarch out on the highway on my first full day in Sydney. Yep, that’s Thelma on the back of custom Harley Davidson motorcycle, both hands waving in the air like she was standing still instead of cruising the open road. The Murray clan organized the ride for their Mom’s big birthday a few months back and I was lucky enough to drop in just in time for the big event. It was great. I think all of us had as much fun watching her as she did getting the ride.  But that first day was typical of the laughs and inviting atmosphere I enjoyed my entire stay.

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It's impossible to list all the great times I had so here's a quick breakdown of how wonderfully I was treated.  On the first night in Sydney I get picked up at the airport by Ben and Steve Murray (so sorry about the car wreck Steve - no, I wasn't driving Liam.) and afterward Lyndsey prepared my first (and delicous) home cooked dinner in an age.  Great food, conversation and a comfy bed that night. Definitely needed and appreciated.  Next morning it's the big viewing of Thelma ruling the highway, and then the wonderful hospitality of Greg, Maryann and the guys down at the beach. Day after I was very happy to get to see Frank again.  That night it's a Rugby League match compliments of the Sargents and then off for some great food, fun and spirits at Kathy, Scott and lil Harry’s place north of Sydney

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After a quick trip to Melbourne I came back to spend a few days with Kathleen, Steve, Jessica, Jack and Chris Sargent.  We had a great Japanese bbq which was excellent except for a bit of egg on my face, literally.  They also got me hooked on watching (and almost understanding) Rugby, including the honor of seeing Chris tear up the field himself.  Next it was another fun night with Kathy and Scott’s family and then a great road trip up to Canberra via Scott. Did I mention that all the friends and family we have in Australia are the best?  Well I certainly should have said so right from the start because they're nicer and more fun than any Brooklyn backpacking bum deserves.

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After four months of solo travel I was in serious want of a conversation that did not start with, ‘so where ya from?’. What I hoped for was several days of non tourist trail, normal life, friendly faces activity. Well no surprise that the Murrays and Sargents certainly didn’t disappoint. I could not have felt more welcomed and more at ease because of how our Down Under contingent took care of me. They are all an amazingly warm, funny and generous group. Australians in general seem to fall into these categories, which is why it’s my favorite country outside of home, but I still can’t thank our Aussie friends enough. They fed me great food, drink and laughs my entire stay. So much so that I started to forget I was a visitor, which in the end was what I really needed. It was a bit of home, courtesy of the Murrays and Sargents. I just hope I can return the favor in NY someday soon.

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Thank you so very, very much. – Bill

PS – Ride On Thelma!