From: rmair@nyx.cs.du.edu (Ross Mair)
Subject: Aussie Mini-Chat Official Report, Part II
Organization: University of Denver, Dept. of Math & Comp. Sci.
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 93 13:16:12 GMT

JAN 2 (Sat)
Clare gave me a wakeup call at ANU, to ensure I didn't repeat yesterday's
effort. I was already awake!!  Probably about 11 am, we set out for some
serious sightseeing (5 mins :-) ) Being the capital of Australia, it
houses our Parliament House, a grand structure only 5 years old. We wandered
thru that for about 2 hours, checking out the parliamentary chambers, 
displays around the building, and also the spectacularly landscaped roof -
which slopes down to ground level. (Yes - you could *enter* the building
from the roof) The saving grace was that a portrait of our latest Prime
Minister does not yet adorn the place.

We had lunch at an Italian restaurant in the city, with Clare demonstrating
a hopeless weakness for avocados - waiting while the kitchen to buy more 
rather than settling for something less in her foccacia bread. :-)
After lunch, we cruised around the northern shore of Lake Burley-Griffen,
looking at some of the sights like the Water-Jet, the symetrical view of
Old Parliament House in front of the new one, and finally to the Carillion,
a mechanised bell-tower that is located on a wonderfully picturesque island
near one end of the lake. The setting is popular for wedding photos, but
on this day, a wedding was about to be held right there on the island.
We watched as the Carillion played (out of tune) the wedding march, and the
bridal party walked across the bridge onto the island. We both agreed
that you couldn't hope to see anything better at an ARC Chat.

After that, we stopped briefly at the new Vietnam War Memorial, a stunning
but effective memorial, before driving to the top of Mount Ainslie, for a
view that overlooks the whole city. Back at Clare's place, we sunk some
*decent* Aussie beer (Clare was quite impressed that some Aussie beer could
taste good!), before she and Ruth went to a neighbors for a previously
arranged dinner, and I went and visited an ANU student who had worked with
us down in Melbourne during the year.

JAN 3 (Sun)
Dawned cool, and I was back at Clare's for lunch, and the all important
finish of the jigsaw puzzle that had been going since I arrived. (Yes -
we actually got that sky done!) About 3, we set out into the snow country
that surrounds Canberra, for a short walk thru the bush. Clare and my idea
had been somewhat hijacked by Ruth and a very fit neighbor... :-)
and a short walk suddenly became a long one! It was lovely walking thru
the bush for a bit, and gave Clare and I the chance to talk even more, as we
often fell behind. She told me about meetting ARCers in Indiana and California
when she was there about a year ago. About 5, now tiring a bit, we finally
reached the road again - but only about 6km from where the cars were parked!
Still, they had to be fetched, so I set off with Ruth while Clare stayed
back at the gate. By now, the sun had gone, as had the heat we had been
complaining of. The thunder started to crackle in the distance, the lightning
flashed spectacularly, and from the ridge Ruth and I were on, we could see
the wall of water sweeping up the valley towards us. It hit us when we were
still 15 mins walk from the car. Within minutes, we were soaked to the skin.
I don't know which was worse... me walking thru it, or Clare waiting in it to
be picked up. Anyway, the car was fetched, and sometime after 7, we were
heading back to Canberra thru torrential rain. The driving was made more fun
by Clare's clothes drying out, and instantly depositing all the moisture on
my windscreen. :-)

Back in Canberra just before 8pm - just time to pick up some tortellini from
the corner shop, and of course, what would a chat have been without chocolate!
A block of truffle-filled chocolate nearly disappeared during the 60 second
drive from the local shop to the house!! Once there, we all changed into
warm clothes - me wearing Clare's brother throw-outs. After making the
mandatory 2-months-anniversary phone-call to Edouard, Clare cooked the
previously mentioned tortellini and cream/mushroom/zuchini sauce (which was
superb!) while I did the manly-male changing of the light globe!  :-)
The dinner was great, and after that, we retired with the remains of the
red wine to the computer room, for our last session there, our last posts
from the chat, and our last talking session. About midnight, I had to put
my wet clothes back on, to drive back to ANU in. We said good-bye both
inside and outside the house - and hugged each other tightly.

It had been a great weekend, with the company of a wonderful person. Just
to ba able to do that was so wonderful for me, and I tried to communicate
that to Clare. Clare had been such fun to be with - maybe due to being
flushed with TrueLove [tm], I don't know, but wonderful all the same.
I haven't met the much-mentioned Edouard, but I know he is one lucky guy.
It was sad to part that last time - but these things must be done.
I thought it was somewhat symbolic, that as I drove back to my room at ANU
that night, the torrential rain continued to pour, and I felt cold in my
damp clothes. But there was also a warmth inside at having met a wonderful
friend.

To Clare, thank you for a great time. I know your stay in Canberra has been
a long and torturous separation from Edouard. But that is nearly over now.
Thank you for opening yourself up to me, letting me visit, instead of just
lying there missing Edouard. I hope my presence helped the time of your
separation from him go a little quicker. Its my wish that it did.

*TIGHT HUGS* which are sadly inadequate compared to the real thing, but are
             all we can do now.

END OF OFFICIAL REPORT
(Did that measure up, Madame Prez??)

--
Ross
Official Personal Bodyguard to Lis, the Good Romantic Witch
***********************************************************

Newsgroups: alt.romance.chat