2001 news from Raoul and Helen
[This page is also available in German/auf Deutsch.]


Once again we send you our best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. We are mindful of the many good things we enjoy in this country and are more aware than ever before of the need for peace and hope in the nations of the world. The year has once again flown by for us both (even for Raoul in his retirement) and we have both continued to enjoy good health.

Helen's work, chaplaincy/pastoral care, at Canberra's Calvary Hospital, has been extended to cover not only Lutherans but all patients at the hospital on a paid part-time basis. Whether paid or voluntary, she finds the work very satisfying. Ministry to older migrants (particularly from Latvia and Estonia) has been a special joy. During a recent visit to Canberra by Archbishop Udo Petersoo (based in Toronto, Canada) from the Estonian Lutheran Church she was jokingly dubbed an "honorary Estonian." She has continued her involvement with young mothers through the MOPS program in the role of mentor ("wise old owl" in Raoul's words). Teaching on Grief and Loss (and marking exams!) keeps her on her toes as well.

Raoul taught two history courses again this year at U3A (University of the Third Age). One was entitled "Medieval Power Structures, 400-1500 AD," the other helped participants to explore their own family's history in its economic, social and political context. His book has provided a useful model. He also organised a series of 13 lunchtime forums for U3A during June, August and October on a variety of current interest topics. It was usually not too difficult to find 2-3 interesting speakers on a subject, but a little more difficult to find forum producers who were willing to take the risks inherent in dealing with a controversial subject. Between 45-85 attended each forum.

Our children are all busy with their lives. We enjoy having Miriam (26) close by in neighbouring Queanbeyan. We are looking forward to the family picnic organised by Nicola (29) and Craig in the Geelong Botanic Gardens on 29 December, close to where they now live. We started the annual family picnic tradition when our children were young. Unfortunately, Robert (32) will not be able to attend as summer is the busiest work period for him in Loxton, SA. This will be the second Christmas for Richard (34), Keryn, Martin (nearly 6) and Thomas (4) in Wiesbaden, Germany. We greatly enjoyed the family's unexpected visit in June.

A highlight of the year was a trip around the world to visit family and to see some new places. We flew into Vienna on 26 July, did some walking there and enjoyed the operetta Gipsy Princess in the evening. We flew to Helsinki the following day where we spent three delightful days (what a summer!). We took the train to St. Petersburg, visited the Hermitage Art Gallery, Peter & Paul Fortress, the old Lutheran Cemetery, and the town of Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo). The mighty Neva River, the canals and bridges, the inspiring architecture and long summer nights have left a lasting impression. From St. Petersburg we travelled by train to Tallinn, Estonia. By bus we visited Tartu and, by private car Estonia's highest mountain, all of 317 metres. Then back to Helsinki by ferry from Tallinn for two more days. From Helsinki we flew to Munich, then took the train to Traunwalchen to visit cousin Gaby and her family. A trip with them to the salt mine Hallein was a real highlight of the visit.

A scenic train ride took us via Salzburg, Bad Ragaz, Andermatt and Brig to Raoul's brother Udo, Debby and Isaac in Gryon. As always, we talked lots, picnicked and visited places in the surrounding area. The intensive land use, lovingly tended vineyards, the villages and towns are always a delight to experience and so different from much of Australia. It was lovely to meet with our nieces Naomi and Samantha in Lausanne. On 18 August we travelled by train to Wiesbaden to Richard and his family. We broke our journey in Biel and had lunch with another of our nieces, Natasha and her family. We enjoyed being grandparents in Wiesbaden. Martin reasoned that Helen needed only "to find a hospital in Wiesbaden" to work in, and Grandma M and Opa could be close at hand! We enjoyed a number of excursions together, including a Rhine trip on a very hot Saturday. We visited the grave of Raoul's parents in Offenbach and caught up with his Uncle Helmut and Aunt Lore in Bad Nauheim, and some friends from his university days in Frankfurt. Our final destination in Europe was Haunstetten, near Munich for several lovely days with Raoul's sister Astrid.

On 3 September we flew to Washington, DC, for the final part of our trip. In a rental car we visited Williamsburg, VA, Monticello, VA, Gettysburg, PE, Philadelphia, PE, and Dover, DE, It was a living lesson, especially for Helen, in Independence and Civil War history. On the morning of 11 September in Frederick, MD, when we looked to find a space to park the car a policeman rushed up to us and said that we could not stop here "after what happened this morning." He then told us of the terrorist attacks that had just occurred in New York and Washington. Stunned, we walked the streets of this historic town not far from Camp David. Only in the evening, from the relative safety of a small bed & breakfast place in Harpers Ferry, WV, did we watch the terrible scene unfold on the TV screen. We e-mailed Miriam that we were safe and sound. But our return to Australia could not go ahead as planned on 12 September. After returning our rental car on 12 September to the eerily empty Dulles Airport, we rented another vehicle and headed west to the small town of Front Royal from where for several days we explored the beautiful Shenandoah National Park and sections of the Appalachian Trail. An encounter with two black bears close to the trail added to the adventures of these unplanned days. We finally made it back to home on 19 September, minus luggage, but relieved to be safely home. Raoul has written a detailed travel report, available on request by e-mail, or snail mail if necessary.



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