As I write I can look across the Domain: beyond the NSW Art Gallery to the Telstra Tower and the other buildings of Sydney’s CBD. To my right, although I can’t see it from here, the Harbour Bridge lurks behind the Botanic Gardens and Parliament House. Grey clouds tussle with white for dominance: here and there they deign to allow glimpses of cerulean.
It’s been three years and a month since I got off a plane at Sydney airport for the first time. It’s been quite a wild ride: new job, new friends, new blog(s); I’ve managed to avoid getting sunburnt but almost died from pneumonia. I’ve seen dolphins in the wild, huge spiders, pretty redbacks — but amazingly neither snakes nor funnelwebs. I’ve been amazed by the colorful bird life and caught in the rip at Surfer’s Paradise. I’ve landed exactly one fish and bought a didgeridoo.
Perhaps most importantly I’ve made a lot of new friends, and I know at least some of them will miss me as much as I miss them. They all have offers to stay in London.
Yesterday we took a ferry to Watson’s Bay. As I looked behind us, the city was covered in cloud, almost hidden from sight. But yachts still played under the shadow of Taronga Zoo and loud-mouthed scrotes celebrated 40th birthdays. As I leave Sydney, I simply hope that I leave as many good memories as I take.
Oh, and they still haven’t fixed the lifts.
PS. I’m supposed to mention that OpenLab 2008 is now on sale. It was a lot of work, as I’ve mentioned in passing before. Finding fifty entries from the 400+ nominated was not an easy matter. Jenny might be able to say something more sensible about it now she’s back from her holiday: I’ve got to go and re-pack four suitcases before we go to the airport.
It’s as if the city itself is weeping at your imminent departure.
Now get on the plane and leave already…
Tomorrow 0930. Come and wave.
Wait on a minute, haven’t you been hiding out here the whole time?
And like a moron I left the glass behind.
Beautiful post, Richard. Sydney’s loss is London’s gain (quick, everyone — hide the posh crockery!).
Best of luck with the move.
You muppet, Nathaniel. And thanks everyone—for best wishes and insults alike…
Quite so. Now why don’t you shut up and get on the plane?
12 hours from now. Excited?
Absolutely.
Sigh. 12 hours more of bloggorrhoea to endure.
The good thing about leaving a place where you met so much people and made some good friends is that you can always go back!!
Good luck in your new adventure!!…
Richard, all the best for your new life back in Britain.
Richard, all the best for your new life back in Britain
Run away, everyone. Run for your lives.
Ahoy RPG, surely you’re in Pommie-ville by now! We had our first lab meeting of the year yesterday and today the new lab photo- both “Grantless”. Its time to face facts… I think we both know the lifts will never be fixed.
Good luck with the move Richard. If nothing else, you will soon have summer in your new place again 🙂
you will soon have summer in your new place again
yeah, right.
Hey Beta Gal! Great to see you here.
We’re in New Zealand, about to take a trip to the hot springs at Hanmer. Woohoo.
Henry> Compared to that he is leaving summer now, right? And UK summer would be around…well… another three months?
[myself, I realised that apparently spring is already here in Memphis since I have gotten allergies…. imagine that, early March!!]
New Zealand?
I think you may have to have a word with the pilot.
Also, I’d like to vote for “Beta Gal” as having “best blog handle for a molecular biologist in recent memory”.
That is all.
My very best wishes to you, Richard.
And our lift is out in sympathy – has been for weeks. Rather annoying for those of us on the fourth floor with crook knees.
Lovely post, and beautifully elegiac pictures.
Hm. It’s been 24 hours or so… I’m beginning to suffer RPG withdrawal.
Aw, Richard, you’re so cute.
And I’m back in contact now, having avoided the sheep so far.
I’ve already explained this, Richard. Mutant Zombie Sheep find mint sauce highly causatic. You’ll be fine.
I was going to say, enjoy another few months of summer!
Then I noticed Henry’s comment.
_you will soon have summer in your new place again
yeah, right._
Summer?
Who needs summer when you can have snowdrops?
So – have you arrived yet?
Yes and as soon as I can get on the laptop I’ll write about it.