Blue

By George Man

Blue by George Man

Sandra just finished her first year of school in Holland when she found out that her family planned to move to Outback Australia for five whole years! It was going to be a huge adjustment: learning a new language, making new friends, going to school over a radio and dealing wit

• Language: English
• Publisher: George Man
• Release date: Feb 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9780648476214

Book preview

Dedication

For my daughter and my son.

Chapter One

Changes

Sandra looked through the classroom window. It was the last day of the year, and the holidays were about to begin.

Sandra and her parents lived in a small town in a country called Holland. She was in her first year at school, and she had a nice teacher. She was looking forward to going to her Aunt Anne’s in the coming week for a ten-day holiday.

Aunt Anne lived in a small fishing village on the coast. She was a cousin of Sandra’s father, and her favourite Aunt. Aunt Anne was already quite old, but she was different to other old ladies. She was never angry and made beautiful pancakes, cakes and puddings.

Aunt Anne had four children, but they were married and already had children of their own. Sometimes, they all visited at the same time. What a noise that was, but Aunt Anne thought that was good fun. Her husband passed away many years before. She told beautiful stories about him and about Sandra’s grandfather: her mother’s brother. Aunt Anne’s mother had been ill for a long time and had suffered a lot of pain. However, if anybody asked her how she was going, she always used to say, I feel better than yesterday. Sandra thought that was very special.

Suddenly, Sandra realised that her classmates were looking at her. She was so deep in thought that she hadn’t noticed Miss talking to her. Luckily, Miss wasn’t angry but asked her if she was already on holidays. She then told the class to bring their books to the front of the classroom. After that, she went around and gave the children an envelope with their end-of-year report in it. On their way out the door, Miss shook everyone’s hand and wished them a nice summer holiday.

Sandra walked out of the school with Heidi—her best friend since Kindergarten. Sandra and Heidi’s mothers were talking to each other in front of the school. When the girls reached them, they walked together to the corner of the street.

The girls talked about Sandra’s seventh birthday party the next day. She asked her parents for a puppy dog and thought she had a good chance of getting one. Her father had said, maybe and had also mentioned that it was good for children to have a pet.

Heidi’s mother talked about their planned trip with their caravan. At the corner of the street they said goodbye, and Heidi and her mother turned left into the street where they lived.

Mother told her that Father was home already, and that they were having a barbeque. For dessert, they were going to have mixed berries and custard—Sandra’s favourite.

Sandra loved her parents: Mother played the piano beautifully and read books to her. Father was tall and quiet but told funny stories and jokes. He worked at an agricultural research station about ten kilometres away.

Sandra was an only child. That meant that she had to help with the washing up and the gardening because there were no other children. She didn’t mind because the three of them did lots of nice things together. They went for long walks, made trips on their bicycles to the beach or they went by train to the middle of Holland to a region with lots of forests.

When Sandra arrived home from school, tea was ready. It was a beautiful day, so she sat with Mum and Dad in the garden.

Dad looked at Sandra’s report. Her marks were good. Well done, Sandra. I’m proud of you, he said in a soft voice. We really have a clever daughter, don’t we?

Her mother said, Yes, we do. She then looked at Sandra and asked, Do you mind staying an extra week with Aunt Anne?

Oh, I don’t mind at all! Sandra said. Then, with a smile, she asked, Is it because of my good report, or is there another reason?

Her father said, Yes, there is another reason. There are going to be some big changes taking place for us soon. Over the last couple of years, I have done a lot of work with food for people in the many dry parts of the world. I’ve received an offer to work for five years on a research station in the middle of Australia. It would be good to test the crops there because it is dry for long periods.

Sandra got a fright. She didn’t want her father to go away for five years. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she flew from her chair onto her father’s lap. She wound her arms around his neck. No, Daddy, we cannot live without you.

Her mum gave her a tissue.

Of course not, silly, we’re all going to Australia! Did you think that I could be without you two for such a long time? Drink your tea, and I’ll tell you all about our big plans.

Her father explained that in four weeks’ time they were flying to Australia, and that their furniture would arrive later by ship.

Sandra would stay with Aunt Anne for two-and-a-half weeks while Mum and Dad organised their passports, the transport of the furniture and the leasing of their house. After that, they’d be on their way for the big adventure. They’d have to undergo a health check and receive a couple of injections against certain diseases.

It was all a bit much for Sandra. What about school? What about Heidi? She was quite happy with her life the way it was.

Father explained, In Australia you won’t go to school; instead, you’ll do your schoolwork by radio and correspondence. This is called the School of the Air.

Her mother explained to her that she’d be in contact with her teacher by radio. Mother would help her because Sandra had to learn to speak and write in English.

Sandra knew she would certainly miss her friend, Heidi, but they could write to each other.

Father told Sandra that Australia was a very interesting country with animals like kangaroos,