And it's good to have Mr. N back in one piece, and merrily picking his banjo at the recent "Chantey-Sing" up here in Portland, Maine. I got there a little late so missed the major "After-Action Report" of the journey, but picked up a few annecdotal tidbits of the adventure as we went along.

Although "Ozzie-Land" is not on the top of our list of places we'd like to visit had we the time & resources (Scotland, Ireland, and stangely enough Israel occupying those positions), there is little doubt that it one of the most "interesting" places on this old Planet. Despite our skepticism of the political regime currently in power down there, the people, culture, and wildlife "down under" strike me as no less than utterly facinating. Interaction with "Ozzie" Mudcatters is universally enjoyed and often quite edifying.