So, yesterday was our own version of Boxing Day here at the farm..Not the post-Christmas, gifts to the help, celebration of December 26th in the British ex-Empire…No, this was the big day, when the movers came to take belongings away for shipment to Australia.. Less than 500lbs, going airfreight, not by ocean shipping in 2011…They will be there in 6 days, arriving even before us if not carefully timed…. What a great country! Stephanie was a bit pensive, wouldn’t even pose for a picture with said boxes. ” This is your thing, you pose with them,” she deferred…See photographic evidence below…

Stephanie… 😮

Me… 🙂

Yes, life throws all sorts of forks up in the road, and in the end, there is only one of two responses allowed.  YES, or NO….each leads in a very different direction with repercussions that will spin off for decades hence…In Emergency Medicine we have a saying…”You can’t make perfect decisions with imperfect knowledge..”  We learn to live with the unknown and move forward… So, to this one I say YES, emphatically, if imperfectly.. Good decision or catastrophe…?  Time alone will tell….As for my response to having a midlife crisis ( which I categorically deny btw), I suppose it beats a Miata and a rattail….

Luke and Claire–Psyched , Fern and Max–clueless

The kids have been keeping a countdown on our mudroom blackboard for the last month , artwork courtesy of eldest daughter Claire, age 11. It started out at 30 days to go, and as you can see, we have now arrived at day 0….. We are out of time, and on the road from Fairview Farm…Godspeed and God Bless,,,,,a wide, blue world of adventure and new experiences await… Please stay tuned…. And wishing you all a safe and adventurous New Year into 2012…ddu

Australia, in a child’s mind…

An early dusting of snow…



So, back at it briefly while packing, organizing and generally turning the farmhouse up on it’s head…It’s already a plus to work one’s way through 12 years of accumulated detritus and streamline…even if staying put…You should try it sometime…. The place has never felt so freshened up…So, already an unanticipated bonus… How many more await…? We shall see…Got a funny note from a friend in Auckland, New Zealand who noted my first blog mentioning that we fancy ourselves to be amateur naturalists.. ” Francis, you need to be aware that down here we consider naturalists to be people who prefer to go around without any clothes on…”  Uhmmm…whoops…As I said in reply, “In the States we prefer the more specific term…nudists…” So much for cultural competency….haha!  My first big gaffe and we haven’t even left home….  I wonder how many more await….? We shall see…Stay tuned, should be interesting…Also, please don’t expect any nekked trekking or surfing shots…I plan on keeping at least my Speedo, and dignity, intact…(very scary image there…). Unlike this guy……

 It’s now less than two weeks before lift off..Starting to awaken in midnight and feel that shock of reality settling in…keeps one up and the mind races…but always seems no problem once the sun is up and the day begins…Sort of the final big breath before the 30 ft plunge into the waiting pool below…steady…steady…

Well for now, Merry Christmas and peace on Earth to all from Fairview Farm…ddu

Hello world…..Hmmm no echo….or reply…”ANYONE OUT THERE…”  ( this blogging thing will sure take some getting used to) The ultimate empty theater!……..So, the adventure begins… 3 weeks until lift-off, and I’ll admit a bit of cold beginning to creep into both feet…Perhaps a few introductory remarks are in order:

Statement Of Purpose: This blog/ adventure travel log hopes to detail the adventures, mis-adventures and general eye-opening experiences of a mid-career (ie old)  US Emergency Medicine doc, transitioning into a one year sabbatical teaching/ working  Emergency Medicine ( known henceforth as EM) in Queensland , Australia… Challenging enough for sure, but now let’s throw five school-aged kids, ages 12  to 3, and one very harried mom, well out of her comfort zone, into the mix. Stir briskly, and blend in a move from a 100 acre Organic farm in upstate New York to the sub-tropics of northeastern, coastal Australia. Bake in the grueling heat for one year…..Crazy..? Volatile..? Outrageous..?  Follow along, and you, kind reader, be the judge..

Audience(s): Probably many, many of you frigid North Americans have dreamed of just such an escape from your lives and slowly stifling professions..I know I sure have… Well, have no fear, sit back, don’t take any chances..Don’t YOU rock the boat baby…. The Nolan clan has it all covered….taking all the risks for you, while you follow along pleasantly from your warm easy chairs at home, watching the snowflakes drift down lazily, whilst sipping cognac….or something…..Please, learn from our mistakes, and not your own….

Subjects Covered (exam at 11): So, while I hope to provide some real meat in the blog regarding comparative healthcare delivery systems, and interesting or especially disgusting EM medical cases, with photos (!)….. my hope is to engage a much wider range of interests than strictly EM/ EMS devotees. No boring and stuffy here, tuvm….I’d like to share observations regarding wider Australian lifestyle and culture as well. As we are big hikers and amatur naturalists, expect photos and blog entries from the vast, teeming National Parks and trekking paths found throughout Australia as well. Hopefully, a good bit of kid and family fun and pathos will be on offer for your vicarious entertainment as well. Oh, we also love to fish, so expect live action photos and videos of some real silver gems too…The Nolan kids will have their own age and grade specific blog entries as part of an ongoing sharing assignment with their classmates back in the States, addresses to follow…School kids of similar ages might enjoy their observations…

So, that’s a lot; enough for openers….. Lots more to follow, not at all sure where this thing, trip and blog, are heading…..But strap in….. it’s gonna be a wild ride…Best, ddu