Bucky, roving ramporter

Roxie is sick, so I am taking over the reporting for her. Call me Bucky Merino, your ram journalist.


I can’t tell you much about the first two legs of the trip because Bobby and I were crammed into a carry-on bag. But as Roxie and her husband galloped through HongKong airport to make their final flight, Bobby started kicking up such a ruckus that the carryon was pretty much knocked off its wheels two or three times. Roxie relented and let us out just as soon as they got settled in their seats. Bobby fancies himself quite the ladies’ man so while he flirted with the pretty air hostess, I got to look out the window. I have seen Hong Kong! Me - an ordinary ram from Estacada. I never would have considered doing this were it not for Bobby’s romantic inclinations, Don’t tell him, but I’m grateful for his adventurous nature.

Here we are in the seat with Roxie. the seat lies flat so it's nice for napping.



Hong Kong looks rather forbidding.





Cathay Airlines serves a sweet perfumy sort of fruit juice with a flower floating in it. Bobby had to show off with it.


Between the International date line, and the bleating long flights, Roxie turned 60 on the day we were in Hong Kong. Toward the end of the flight, the whole cabin crew came up to her seat, lined up in front of her, counted, “One, two, three, … all took a breath, and all waited for someone else to start singing. Roxie laughed and laughed. They presented her with a nice bottle of wine and a birthday card signed by the whole flight crew. She was just delighted!!

We had to get back into the carry-on bag to sneak through customs. The Australian customs are so severe. Roxie had to fill out a card declaring that she wasn’t carrying any plant material or un-cured leather goods or wooden items like masks or carvings,, or any animal products. Roxie is scrupulously honest and even reported the two bottles of wine she and her dear husband are bringing for gifts to friends. But no where on the form did they ask if she was brining in a couple of sheep. Whew! We dodged a bullet on that one.

Jet lag is a nasty thing. We all spent pretty much the next day being hungry at odd times, being sleepy at noon and wide awake at midnight. We went out for a couple of walks in the fresh air and Roxie let us ride along in her purse and once or twice we got out to look things over. Sydney Australia is a beautiful city, as any one can tell you. Bobby and I were quite amazed by the different plants and birds, and gazed around like a couple of small town hicks - which I guess we are. But we are acquiring quite a lot of cosmopolitan polish.



The next day, Roxie’s friend Janette, and her husband picked us up and took us to Canberra, whichis like Australia’s Washington DC. It is a city full of parks and it’s bleating hard to get around in. Marc and Janette have two different GPS systems in their car, and they were both confused. We quite literally drove around in circles.

We went to a deep space observatory where huge dish antennas listen to hear radio programs from outerspace. At least, I think that’s what Roxie said. It was way out in the country and we saw flocks and flocks of Australlian Sheep. They are, on the whole, quite attractive! Some flocks had been recently shorn, and oh the legs on those Australian girls!

That night, we went to visit Jejune and the lovely Lulu. Lulu’s people are delightful folks! Jejune and Dotter were especially charming. And right off the bat they introduced us to Lulu. I gave her a jingly bellydance belt, and boy can that lamb shake her shanks!

Bobby gave her a shiny, sparkly boa. I hope the pictures come out ok. Lulu is such a beauty. After introducing us, they left the three of us alone to get better acquainted.





Jejune and her family have a tiny dog that sucked up to everyone. There are pictures of it, too.



Bobby and Lulu were whispering together. When it was time to leave, Lulu hopped into Roxie’s purse right along with us and asked, very prettily, if she could go to see the world a bit. Bobby and I promised to take very good care of her, so Jejune and Dotter finally agreed to let her go. I don’t know how Roxie is going to manage three sheep, but her dear husband is a very competent guy, so I think we’ll be in good hands.