7:45 am: All our bags are packed and we’re ready to go …
Time to say goodbye to our constant companions – the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge …
… and to good old ROOM 1406 – our home away from home this last fortnight.
We made it to the end. WELL DONE US!
A big and heartfelt THANK YOU to the management and staff of the BRISBANE MARRIOTT along with the men and women of the Army and the Qld Police Force all of whom were friendly and helpful and took great care of us.
Thanks too to everyone who took the time to read any of my quarantine ramblings and thanks especially for the comments and feedback. Writing the BLOG and reading the responses really helped make the 14 days so much more bearable for both of us.
Well it’s been a strange, trying, testing and at times hilarious adventure and there’s only one person in the world I’d want to do it with – and I did.
14 days isolated in close quarters together and not a single cross word. Although I did have my earphones on for lengthy periods of time so …
ANYWAY we’re back at out little abode now and we agree totally with Dorothy’s sentiments – THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!
Cheers
Michael and Adriana
PS: And look what was waiting for me when I got home. The beautiful CHINESE language edition of THE RUNNING MAN published by Guomai Culture & Media Co Ltd China.
This is now the 7th overseas publication for the book. The others are Germany, USA, France, Italy, Sth Korea and the Netherlands. Never dreamed things like this were possible back in 2000 when I resigned from my teaching position to have a go at writing what would be my first novel. So happy that I stuck with it and saw it through. It was eventually published in Australia in 2004.
Michael Gerard Bauer Author 
Hi Michael
That seems like a bit of an ordeal but I’m sure the baby was worth the sacrifice. My Melbourne cousins are ecstatic to have finally been released from their lockdown and I imagine your daughter and her family must be too. Congratulations on the latest translation. When are we going to see some more of your books in the UK? Who should I be lobbying?!
LikeLike
Hi Jane. Yes well worth it. We had 5 weeks with her and her parents and they too are so happy they are now able to get out and meet friends. The most recent book The Things That Will Not Stand comes out in Germany in January 2021. I would LOVE to see that (or any of my books!) join the Ishmael series in the UK. I know the Rights people at Scholastic Australia work hard and have done a great job over the years securing overseas publications for me. Of course the pandemic doesn’t make things any easier. I hope you and your family are safe and well and coping in our strange new world. Cheers Michael
LikeLike
We loved every minute of it. Do it again soon!
LikeLike
Ha! Not likely!
LikeLike
Awww… So glad the time went sweetly for you both. Man – that is a very busy carpet! No wonder it was your first (?) feature! Congratulations on the Chinese editions – and on graduation quarantine!
LikeLike