21st August: Two for the price of one

Sorry, I missed the blog yesterday, got tied up in Sydney and couldn't find any cheap internet access. So here is a round up of the last two days.

Dropped in to see Simon before leaving for the airport. He wasn't too happy, left in bed too long and dying for a shower. We managed to talk for half an hour about many thinkgs including our role as educators and the meaning of our work. It essentially boiled down to this: given the extreme challenges that the next generation will face we must help them to learn how to learn. We cannot give them answers to questions that we scarcely know the nature of but we can equip them with critical and reflective thinking skills. A very 'bourneresque' conversation which found its way onto the floor of the conference of management educators that I have just attended. I phoned Simon and told him all about the conference venue: The Sebel Pier One Hotel (pictured here). It is almost underneath Sydney Harbour Bridge, opposite the Opera House and looking out over the harbour. My room was on the ground floor so I was able to step out onto the pier and sit in the late afternoon sun. For the first time, I saw Sydney as the wonderful city that people rave about - in the past it has always been lashing with rain! We had a splendid conference dinner, and met some very nice and interesting people from all over Oz, doing much the same job that I do. Margaret phoned to say that Simon had an excellent physio session, they had him standing up! This is just beyond my wildest dreams, furthermore the doctor (yes that one) thought it likely that Simon's right leg would recover. She has also tentatively agreed that Simon can have his home visit on Saturday. Fingers crossed.

Today, I got up at crack of dawn and explored the Sydney waterfront before breakfast. The City was already busy with joggers, walkers, cyclists, fishermen all out in force by 6am. Then at 8am the workforce began to arrive in droves - many of them coming in by ferry. Some very brave souls were climbing the bridge. We worked from 8 - 4.30pm, and then straight back to the airport. After some delays, home just after 10pm. It is the first day that I haven't managed to visit Simon, I can't wait to see him in the morning. He has had a steady stream of visitors in my absence, and Shirley has been there most of the time supervising meals, and accompanying him to therapy sessions. Gerry has been to the house and put some ramps outside so that we can get into the back of the house tomorrow. If it goes well, please God, then I may be allowed to repeat the exercise every weekend.

Love Marian x