Australian Sojourn – April-May 2026

Part 9: Last Days in Australia

It’s been well over a month since my return to the U.S. from my Australian sojourn of April-May. High time, then, to conclude my series documenting my time in the Great South Land. (NOTE: To start at the beginning of this series, click here.)

After spending two-and-a-half days visiting Mum and my brother and his family in Guruk (Port Macquarie), I returned to my friends Mike and Bernie’s place in Gulmarrad. I’m very fortunate to now be possession of Mum’s car (as she’s no longer driving), and extra fortunate to have Mike and Bernie be willing to take care of it while I’m in the U.S. Of course, how much longer I’ll be in the States is a question I continue to ponder.

Above: The McFarlane Bridge in nearby Maclean. This historic bridge opened in 1906 over the South Arm of the Clarence River, providing access between Maclean and Woodford Island. It last opened to allow boats through in 1962.

Above: A view of Maclean with St Mary’s Catholic Church at right.

Above: Gulmarrad sunset – Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Above and left: Early on Sunday, May 10, Bernie drove me to the Grafton railway station where I caught the southbound XPT to Sydney.

Above: My reading material on my 10-hour train trip from Grafton to Sydney.

Last June when I was in Australia, my nephew Brendan, who was visiting from the U.K., shared with me that his favorite novel is The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. He even gifted me with a beautiful hardcover illustrated edition of the book (right) toward the end of my 2025 visit.

Here’s what I texted Brendan on the last night of this year’s visit.

Hey! I just read The Bell Jar in one sitting – on the train from Grafton to Sydney! 👍🏼😁

I didn’t bring with me to Australia the beautiful edition of the book that you gave me as I didn’t want to risk damaging it in my travels. Instead, I brought a paperback edition that I picked up for $5 in a bookstore in Minneapolis just before my visit home.

It’s an engrossing and powerful novel for sure. And such great writing. Sylvia had a real way with words and with creating vivid scenes and moods.

Thanks for recommending it to me. I’m glad I (finally) read it.

Above: Sydney Airport – Monday, May 11, 2026.


NEXT: May Vignettes

For the previous posts in the Australian Sojourn – April-May 2026 series, see:
• Sydney and Newcastle
• Gulmarrad
• Guruk
• Gunnedah
• Armidale
• Gulmarrad, Maclean, and Brooms Head
• Brisbane, Montville, and the Sunshine Coast
• Return to Guruk

Images: Michael J. Bayly.