It's been said before, but it is a small world, even here in this giant land.

For instance. when I was 15 I spent a year at W.M.Ramsay Tech - now no longer there in that guise! Fast forward to Adelaide 1997, we are visiting my Father-in -laws for a Xmas, in June, dinner party with 20 or so of his friends, all of whom we had met before. Halfway thru' dinner Bobby, a Scot all of a sudden said "know you, you are Certy (my nickname at Ramsay, no explanation at this point!), and yes I was he! Bobby was "wee" Bobby Baxter, who had been in my class all those years before! We still have contact, although my Father-in-law is no loger with us. In fact it is not so long ago that we attended each others 60th.

We had a dinner party just this last weekend (22nd July) at which an old school friend of Kim's (my wife) and her husband were guests. Ros' husband is Kim's boss and they only discovered the connection by sheer chance some months ago. Kim has been working there for over 3 years. Catching up is great fun, all that "Do you remember?" "What have you done?" "Whatever happened to what's his/her name?" I know of quite a few folk who are in Australia with connections to my life in Scotland and have had contact with some over the years. The thing is of course, once you arrive in a new land, you start your history again. There are two distinct parts to your life which interconnect for you but not for the people you've left or the new ones you meet.

We have an interesting concept here that I do not think operates in Scotland. Adelaide, like the rest of OZ is a car oriented society. It is also an expanding metropolis. New roads, transport corridors are needed, but they are expensive. Witness the cost and discussion re trams for Edinburgh! So some bright spark in the transport department here thought "we need a new freeway to the south, which will be busy in the morrning to the City and away from the City at night". We here, it should be said, have a quite busy hour rather than a rush hour! The answer 'a 2way freeway'. In the morning you drive toward the City on it, and in the afternoon (after 1430) you drive away, 3 lanes one way north in the morning and one way south in the evening! It works remarkably well. Mind you there are still lots of complaints and jokes about it.

Another problem associated with a new country, especially if you still retain your accent from home, which I do, is Taxi's. Most drivers here are okay, some very not okay. I once got in a cab and it must be said, we were "feeling no pain", so to speak, and gave my address. Trip took 45minutes! Actual real trip time was about 15! we went all around the houses!!! Driver was quite shocked when told of his mistake. I paid what should have been the fare not what he wanted to charge!! This sort of thing is still a trap for people, and of course not only in Australia.

Australia is a country, which due to its climate is almost perfect for sport. Everyone knows of the quality of our Swimmers, Golfers and Cricketers. We also have world class Baketballers, Netballers and Softballers. Our Cyclists perform so well in Europe, witness Cafell Evans and Robbie McCewan in last months Tour de France. Tennis, although a bit flat at the moment, is also one of Australias strengths. For the population OZ certainly "punches above its weight"! Thank goodness for Australia at World Cup!!! Haven't even mentioned Rugby Union and League. Many countries enjoy prowess in one or two sports, we seem to excel in so many. This, as I said, is due in no small measure to the climate. The quality of sport one can participate in, either as a "Doer" or as a "Spectator" is wonderful. Did I forget hockey? Olympic gold medallists. Should stop now or it will seem like bragging! I was very happy to read that Scotland under 19 football team have just made semi finals of UEF championship. You see, I really do have the best of both worlds!!!

Until next time.

(article by Eric Ford, Australia)