Patch of paradise

Low cloud in the mountains

It's hard to resist the opportunity to get back to the wilderness.

So when the message came through that my father-in-law, Max, wanted to celebrate his birthday by heading up bush, we initially jumped at the chance. That was until the weather gods turned their wrath on us and decided to send showers of rain to most parts of our region and beyond. In the lead up to the birthday bush trip some words were exchanged between family members about cancelling the trip, rescheduling to a day with a more optimistic weather outlook or changing the location, preferably to indoors, with a fire. However, my 88-year-old father-in-law is not like most men his age and he was set to go regardless of the "100% percent chance of rain for Licola" according to the weather app. I have no doubt Max would have set off on his own if the family had abandoned him. 

So this morning, after seeing to the animals, and sending a message to our neighbour letting him know we would be out of phone service, in the unlikely event something happened, Daryl and I headed off for Licola, while the rain poured around us. A quick call to our brother-in-law, Tony, and he said the weather was fine at Toongabbie and that he and Geoff (another in-law) were on their way to light a fire and set up shelters in the Alpine National Park, Licola. We doubted Tony's weather report. 

Daryl and his father-in-law

En-route we picked up my father Guy, from his nursing home in Heyfield - it was still raining - quite heavily. My father has dementia and suffers further cognitive impairment following a stroke, 18 months ago. He talked alot about the weather. As I get nasty travel sickness I took over the driving from here and we ventured up and over the mountains, wipers swiping all the way. The rain kept us company and I wondered if the fire would cope with the continual soaking. We arrived at Red Box Camp ground on the Wellington River and drove into an oasis of dry skies, an established camp fire and familiar faces of family. The rain gods were clearly on Max's side! I'm not well versed in weather gods but my bit of research revealed some interesting results. 

A little slippery

There are four options when it comes to the divine power responsible for our fine weather:
The first could be Tlaloc, "He Who Makes Things Sprout" is the god of rain, lightning and thunder. He is a fertility god, but also a wrathful deity. He is responsible for both floods and droughts. Clearly today however, he was in fine mood and only sprinkled occasionally.
Or it could be Zeus, Ruler of Mount Olympus, known by many names, including Lord of the Sky,
Rain-God, Cloud-Gatherer, and Zeus of the Thunderbolt. 

Red Bluff

If Zeus and Tlaloc don't tickle your fancy, then how about CHAC the Mayan rain god, he is the god of agriculture, fertility, rain and lightning.
And finally, if none of these gods answered the call, then maybe the Christian deity did a good deed and blessed us with a small patch of paradise in the high country.

Regardless, those that made the effort to drive up enjoyed a perfect bush barbecue. A few of them even went fishing! Bush walks were enjoyed and the billy was boiling.

Always a fire

Birthday in the bush

Max's official birthday is Thursday, he will be 89 years young. He is such a gentleman, father of five, grandfather of  seven and great grandfather of four, step-grandfather of  six, step-great grandfather of one and a half. He still cooks a smashing roast for the family (up to 15 at any one time), drives independently, and is always keen to get up to our farm and lend a hand. Max exudes calmness and wisdom,- he has suffered great loss and experienced great love - he is a true role model. He loves the bush and has spent more than 50 years exploring and fishing the rivers of the high country. He raised his children to love the bush environment and now Max is returning to places filled with happy memories and  the sweet sounds of  natural bushland. We pray there are many more birthdays by the camp fire with Max.

No fish, still fabulous

Remember that text message we sent to our neighbour, the one just in case something happened while we were away?  Well something did go wrong! Nine of our calves went for a walk down Fisks Lane and thankfully Corey saved the day (again) and returned them to their rightful home. Little schmucks then played chasey with the 4WD as we tried to get them back into the right paddock. The Kelpie, Mia, escaped the house yard and before we found the calves she had bolted up the paddock to 'help' us. All this in darkness, I'm amazed I didn't go arse over in the slippery paddocks.  Maybe Tlolac or Chac were watching over us.

Always nice to be home :)

Until next time

N xx

Exploring childhood memories (Daryl)