Time - a slow transformation

New Year celebrations are now a distant memory fading away like the acrid smell of bushfires that surrounded us all only a few weeks ago. Now we are experiencing above average rainfalls along the east coast and our little plot is finally turning green. Life has quickly moved from the summer slumber into mode of work, schedules and appointments. Time in 2020 is moving rapidly or so it seems, and I am a little amazed it is already February.

As I type this Daryl is persistently laying our new floor. Loose lay vinyl planks, 90 metres of it, which all require gluing down. It is really like a giant game of tetris combined with a jigsaw. Pattern placement, curved walls and smooth cement are considerations we never really had before. But I must say after plenty of debate around getting a professional in to lay the floor versus Daryl teaching himself a new trade, he has excelled, and the final pieces are making our house look more like home. The walls now boast fresh paint and our feature wall (chocolate fudge) is without question the most valuable wall in the house, needing eight litres of paint to get a suitable finish. Curtains and blinds are also being reinstalled and shiny new handles don the freshly painted doors. Soon we will be able to put furniture back in and decorate the walls with pictures and paintings. For those that have followed our renovation journey we have chosen our splash back tiles for both the kitchen and laundry. Our redgum shelves are getting their final coats of lacquer and the hall table is ready for placement. I’m looking forward to placing a vase of fresh flowers on the table and welcoming friends and family through our new front door (still to arrive).

In amongst the renovation ride we farewelled our Miss Bek who has started her adventure to Ghana, West Africa. For six months Bek will be living and teaching English in a small village school near the coast. After enduring a gruelling 24-hour flight she has been greeted by hot, humid conditions and an abundance of beautiful smiles from the school children. Her host family speak English well and she is blessed to have a welcoming family to support her. They even bought her a new bed – a luxury many of her fellow volunteers do not share. Cost of living is cheap in comparison to Australia and I anticipate the journey will be priceless. I have now spoken to Bek a couple of times and she has shared a few pictures and videos of life in Ghana. I am overwhelmingly proud of her achievements and persistence in saving to make this trip come to fruition. She worked two jobs while studying her final VCE year (achieving a commendable ATAR) and saved like a squirrel. After months of research, planning and applications Latitude Volunteering said yes to her, but really, how could they not. Saying goodbye at Tullamarine airport was heart wrenching for me. Worry, fear, excitement and pride all blended together to create an emotional maelstrom. Each time I receive any communication the storm subsides just a little more.

During January we also celebrated our eleventh wedding anniversary and it was my turn to organise “something” to mark the occasion.  So many months ago, I booked randomly into guesthouse in Daylesford, choosing the long weekend as a preferred date. Honestly, by the time we arrived, later than anticipated, weary from too much in our calendar and pushing the boundaries of physical, emotional and mental capacity, I’d forgotten why I chose Holyrood House, and then I remembered! From the moment Andrew opened the front door to greet us, we were enchanted by this special place and it’s fabulous hosts. Andrew and Keith couldn’t have been more helpful, friendly or considerate, making our stay even more memorable. They excel where so many fail - in the detail - from fine linen, spotlessly clean rooms, delectable wine, scrumptious breakfasts and indulgent high tea, the list is endless. Catering to gluten free requirements, their food was exceptional, and I don’t say that lightly, used to some poor efforts at other establishments. 

These gentlemen have refurbished this guesthouse to replicate a bygone era of style, character, service and class. It is warm and welcoming. I could have happily stayed in the parlour, enjoying cups of coffee, reading the many books available, or my own, as the subtle sounds of music played in the background, instead of sightseeing the gorgeous Daylesford surrounds. The gardens are also a delight, and again, tea on the veranda is a treat. Their beautiful pooch, who’s name escapes me, is also adorable. Clearly well trained, she adds another homely dimension to Holyrood House. A wealth of knowledge Andrew was able to provide many recommendations to local attractions and eateries, and his advice is well worth listening to. It was clear by the breakfast conversations that other guests benefited from his suggestions, as did we. Our weekend included supporting the local economy as we wandered the main street of Daylesford enjoying the eclectic array of stores including books, shoes, antiques, art, and coffee. We meandered the local market and took a trip down memory lane on a dusty, noisy old diesel-powered train, I may have slept through the return journey – but enjoyed the scenery on the way up including local wineries, which may be a good stop next time. It is difficult to define our experience here, suffice to say, we will be back – although we will pass on the ‘natural’ spring water and stick to the bottle Hepburn springs variety.

Taking the time away when life is so stretched seemed a little indulgent, but then what else is time for but to enjoy and share experiences. Time enables us to create dreams and pursue them, achieve goals, experience the high and lows of life with others and sometimes alone. Time is a luxury that many of us have stolen too soon, warped from frustration, fear, illness and grief. 

Time is becoming a priority for us here at Rivergum.We have no more or less time than anyone else, but how we choose to spend it is a slow transformation. 

Until next time,

N

Ferocity of nature amidst an opportunity for mindfulness.

The breeze whispers through the top of the gum trees and the kookaburras are silent now, smoke haze fills the air. It is mid-morning and a small fire-sun glows brightly through the thick clouds above, the pungent stench of bushfire scratches our throats as we breathe in. This is holidaying in East Gippsland at the moment. Fortunate enough to be able to still enjoy a break by the beach, I am joined by my husband, daughter Bek, son Haydn and his family Belinda (partner) and daughters Milah and Tyla, along with friends Carol and Zac.

Earlier in the week, I left the caravan park, as the fires encroached on the perimeter of the township, expecting to return later that night. It would be 48 hours later before were able to get through after emergency services re-opened the highway. Many towns are still under imminent fire threat and isolated from main centres. With temperatures again set to soar on Saturday, bringing strong northerly winds and creating a potential catastrophe for firefighters and communities, the threat is far from over. Photos flood Facebook and social media sites, depicting black skies in the middle of the day; town centres decimated by fire and firefighters exhausted from their ongoing battles against the ferocity of nature.

The tourist towns are not only impacted by embers, fear and grief but will also suffer financial loss due to the evacuation of thousands of tourists. This will have a ripple of effects for months to come and all our hearts ache for the many people who suffer at the hands of this natural disaster. To date, three people have lost their lives and four are unaccounted for, homes and structures have also burnt. The number of animals perished is impossible to count. Farmers forced to euthanise scorched livestock is heart wrenching and another factor in the increasing suicide rate. The hurt is unrelenting. While we sit here around our recycled timber trestle table playing with play-dough, reading a novel and scrolling through phones, emergency alerts in the background remind us of the plights of our fellow families who will not have the luxury of rest or relaxation this Christmas season.

As I type away, my granddaughter is busy creating with play-dough, her sister sleeps soundly inside the van. Life is slow paced here. A nice reprieve from normal day to day that seems to function on fast forward. It is hard to imagine that I will start a new job in a few days and commence a new professional adventure. I am not sure how ready I am for this. On the home front, renovations are incomplete and Daryl and I will get stuck into the remaining painting after this week. Without a lounge room and painting paraphernalia on every other surface it is frustrating to live in this space. Daryl is mindful of the need to focus on some more outside tasks, fencing, and wood clearing a priority. To date, we have had six Tiger snakes near our house or chook pen, they have been relocated and are not welcome in these zones.

With more extreme heat expected over the course of the next two months our cattle are always of concern, thankfully enjoying the shade and protection of the morass at this time, our 18 remaining cows and 14 calves are looking healthy and content. Water is our highest priority at this time of year, for stock, gardens and trees. Keeping them well hydrated is the difference between them surviving or not. Our two cats, who were boarding at our neighbours cattery, were returned home the other day as temperatures soared into the low 40’s. Unable to keep cool they retreated to the air-conditioning in our bedroom for a brief period. This probably saved them. Our dogs were brought inside and happily snoozed on the concrete as a nice respite from the hot winds, gusting through the property. Even the alpacas came running for water they could lie in. The bees battled the heat, despite the gazebo overtop to shade them, which eventually was shredded in the relenting wind. Our bees have also provided us with more honey, pure liquid gold. Daryl was able to use his new bee keeper suit, which he got for Christmas, and for the first time did not get stung for his efforts.  

Daryl and Milah with Zac have gone for a stroll on the beach. No doubt another batch of shells will be brought back to add to the collection. The smoke haze is still settled, with the tree tops barely swaying in the breeze, the magpies warbling is the only music we can hear for now. Farming, work and responsibilities are far from our minds. For now, it is about family and friends and filling our minds and bodies with mindfulness and fun.

Until next time,

N