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Glad Tidings from chris, geoff and canberra's gang-gang cockatoos

Dear kith and kin,

There were plenty of sad tidings circulating around this planet in 2021. How have they affected you, we wonder? We are separated by physical distance more than ever. Our love goes out to you, one and all.

These posters have been on the wall of our local shops for almost two years now

Daniel Hoi-Kyin, a much-loved Burmese member of the Ledger family, died this year in Rangoon. It was COVID-19 that his elderly body found too much to handle. He was surrounded by the prayers of many faraway while being cared for others close-by during his last days. Daniel became a ‘son and brother’ to the Ledgers more than 60 years ago when he trained as an Anglican priest in Brisbane, spending weekends in Toowoomba. He returned to Burma in 1962 where he served for his whole life in difficult circumstances, including as Bishop of Pa-an. We are glad that he was always surrounded by the love of many.

Gladness in the midst of sorrow and struggle is our theme for this epistle. Here are some of our moments of joy in the year. Our glad tidings! We don’t use the word ‘tidings’ much. According to the dictionary, it is a plural noun meaning ‘news’. The same dictionary told us that there is also a singular noun ‘tiding’ meaning ‘a group of magpies’.

No, this group are not magpies. They are white-winged choughs, frequent visitors at our caravan. They wander around in groups of twelve or so. Their only close relative is called the apostle bird

After some failed first attempts we managed to travel to Toowoomba, Melbourne and Perth for book launches of my biography, Who Is This Vernon Cornish?, published by Geoff and first launched in Canberra in late 2020. A Brisbane launch went ahead in our absence, with the help of friends, and the Hobart one has been tentatively rescheduled for March 2022. We have been thrilled with the book’s reception.

We took back roads to Toowoomba. We stopped in Barraba and did some birdwatching on minor roads. These plum-headed finches were a first for our list. We didn’t venture across the flooded creek
This is a magpie (the Australian one). We met it on the verandah of the new house of brother Robert and Lesley Alves in Melbourne
The border to Western Australia opened long enough, not only for the Perth launch to take place, but also for us to visit the quokkas of Rottnest Island. The one on the left is taking a nap

The winter was spent quietly at home. The women of Holy Cross church were able to navigate COVID restrictions to gather for a much-needed winter retreat by the shores of Lake George. This often dry lakebed had been steadily filling as the wet weather continued. In fact SE Australia has had a lot of wet, mild weather since early 2020—an extended La Niña—a welcome reprieve, though interspersed with some damaging storms.

Lake George and kangaroos on the hills behind. Count them!

A two-month lockdown, August to October, gave us the space we needed to bring to publication a compilation of some writings of Vernon Cornish, a task that his wife Dell had begun. It is called The Dean’s Pen. Both books can be ordered at www.geoffandchris.com/gandc. Geoff is now finishing another publication, a riveting biography of a friend's father, a Ukrainian refugee. This reminded us how wars continue to generate refugee stories today. These stories are important.

We were glad of daily opportunities to walk in the bush. These are ants sprouting wings ready to fly ...
... and a caterpillar

The day before the lockdown was announced, our feline friend Polly met her peaceful death. Her thyroid and then kidneys had been failing for some months. We were glad that her gentle vet was able to help her on her way before access to the clinic was restricted.

Polly was ready to go
Bird movements are not hampered by a human pandemic. We weren’t able to fly to Tasmania but endangered Swift Parrots flew across Bass Strait to Canberra. They perched in considerable numbers in the flowering gums outside a Hungry Jacks restaurant. We ate while peering through binoculars from its window. No, this photo is not upside down

Geoff had recovered well from his heart attack of a January 2021. On 11 January 2022, we celebrated his 80th birthday—a minor miracle in his eyes. The summer holidays brought travel chaos so it was not a practical time to invite family from around the country—but Zoom enabled the joy of connection.

For Geoff’s birthday, we traded-in our petrol-driven car for an electric one. It came with a birthday card from the dealer. We hope it pleases the planet as much as Geoff. It gladdens Geoff’s heart as this new Mini Cooper S reminds him of his first car (a cream Mini) bought 60 years ago. The new one (in British racing green) matches our caravan. It was a talking point during Zoom celebrations

New life! In 2021, we celebrated the arrival of Levi, a new great-nephew (number 41 of our great-nephews and great-nieces.)

New life for Canberra’s swans too. The colour of the Floriade festival (only local visitors could go this year) is in the background

Of course, the glad tidings of the Christmas carol spoke of the birth of Jesus. May faith, hope and love continue to nourish us. May reconciliation with the original custodians of this land embrace us all. And may Levi and his generation witness the healing of our world with much gladness and joy.

The joy of everlasting daisies in wonderful abundance

With our love,

Chris and Geoff xx

Created By
Christine Ledger
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