Midsummer's Eve

And Matthew? He was becoming very excited at the prospect of rinding the material he needed for his book. I could see the dreams in his eyes. He was going to marry Helena; she was to be his disciple *ho would share in his work. He had a simple uncomplicated way of Ordering his life. Helena had changed too. It may have been that the baby was having an effect on her. Perhaps it seemed to her now like a living person-her very own child. I wondered how often she thought of John and whether she was peacefully contemplating a life ahead with Matthew. I think she was still in a bemused state, but I believed she felt herself fortunate to have found a man who would act as father to her child.

As for myself and my family-it was different with us. This was merely a visit and when it was over we should all go back to life as it had been before.

My father was perhaps a little quieter than usual. I daresay he remembered a great deal of that part of his life when he had come to her in chains-figuratively-a prisoner of Mother England, to submit to the humiliating ordeal of being chosen as someone's slave during seven years of bondage. And my mother would share his mood for their lives were so closely interwoven, and even, at periods, when she was a child, she had known him and thought of him in that land overseas.

Jacco was exuberant. He was longing to explore. He had found the entire voyage exciting and interesting, as it had been for me but for Helena's problems.

And so we came to Sydney.

I stood on deck as we approached what has been called the finest harbour in the world.

And what a sight is was! It was early morning; the sun was just coming up and the sea was pale aquamarine, calm and beautiful. My father, standing beside me, slipped his arm through mine. I turned to look at him and I saw the faraway look in his eyes.

I knew he was thinking of arriving here all those years ago. I turned from him to look at the magnificent harbour with its cove-like indentations fringed with foliage and numerous sandy beaches.

My mother came and joined us and we stood silently together.

It was some time before we could go ashore. We had said our goodbyes to the Captain and those members of the crew with whom we had become friendly. The Prevosts were with us when we went off. They said we must keep in touch and my father explained that we should be staying at the Grand Hotel in Sydney for a little while and then we should be going to a property he owned some hundred or so miles north of Sydney.

It was known simply as Cadorsons and was near a place called Sealands Creek. Knowing a little of the land, he would be happy to advise them at any time they cared to call upon That seemed to give them a certain comfort and it was clearer , ever that now their dreams were about to be realized they were Lowing very apprehensive.

Helena and Matthew were to stay with us for the time being. I knew that Helena wanted to stay with me, but Matthew wanted to go off in search of material as soon as possible.

But for the time being we should all stay at the hotel until my father had discovered what accommodation there would be for us at the property at Sealands Creek.

We went from the dock to the Grand Hotel in our buggy and as we rode along my father expressed his amazement at the change in Sydney since he had last seen it.

"It is quite different," he said. "When I was last here the narrow streets were quite dangerous because of the pigs, dogs and goats which would be getting under your feet.

The buildings were shacks. Now the streets have been made wider and the buildings ...”

"Well, it was rather a long time ago," said my mother.

"Yes. I heard that Macquarie had worked wonders.”

I said: "It must be an extraordinary experience ... coming back after all these years.”

He nodded. "It brings it all back. I can see myself standing on deck with the rest of us, half blinded by the brilliant light after weeks shut up in the hold, waiting to be selected by those who would be our masters for the next seven years. But that is all in the past. Here I am with my family, and soon I shall be seeing the property I managed to acquire in spite of my degrading arrival.”

"You should be proud," said my mother. "How many could do what you did?”

"Quite a number, I assure you. Just look at this city. It might be an English provincial town. It shows what can be done with energy, determination and convict labour. Look at those warehouses. Some of them are quite imposing. I would never have believed it.”

We had arrived at the Grand Hotel which though it did not quite hve up to its name was comfortable. There were red felt curtains everywhere held back by brass chains.

They added a cheerful colour to the surroundings.