Another adventure begins

So often people ask are you enjoying your holiday and there are two parts to the answer. When we decided to sell our home we never aimed to go on holidays for ever, we aimed to slow down our life, change our jobs, finding either paid work or accommodation in exchange for volunteer work to pay our way as we went discovering new places. And that is what we are achieving. Bill is completing our volunteering hours (and more) by doing a variety of work, hence bringing in our rent, electricity etc. for the week. Last week his job was clearing the 'backyard' of the caravan park which has had 'junk' dropped in it over many, many years when no one quite knew where to put it. This has given him a chance to drive a big Kenworth, (which he's done before) but never towing a side tipper or with the Road Train signage. He chuckled when I asked him about the size of the tipper, "Kath" he said, and when he starts with my name I know he can't quite believe the question ...

Five days ago, Kev, my brother rang to tell me that Kerry's dad, his father-in-law for close on 40 years had died. I don't think of Kerry as an in-law, she's Kerry, she's my family, she's been part of my life since I was about 12, she and Kev have been my rock in tough times.  I remember the people who supported me when Dad died and I remember feeling angry that other people's lives just went on - did they not know my world had changed forever?? As I watched the Queen's funeral I knew that Mr Kip's funeral, although it would be much smaller, would mean just as much - someone's world will never be quite the same - Kerry's, Mrs. Kips, Rodney, Murray, Kev, Megan, Damien, Sarah and little Ailsa to name just a few.  I watched from a million miles away as the family grieved today, hugged each other and supported each other. I kept myself busy, but right now, oh I wish I could repay one of the million hugs Kerry and Kevin have given me when my world was...

  It’s been an odd week, this one. A dear friend asked me, ‘How’s your head, Kath?’ and to be honest it’s been a little muddled lately but last evening, as I chatted to a very nervous 38-year-old, who, along with myself was serving canapes at the art gallery opening, it cleared nicely. So, what’s been going on – I think the familiarity we have with the campground and our volunteering roles had left me feeling at a loss, wondering when I was going to start exploring new places and adventures. Without a vehicle to drive, my spontaneity of popping off to do my own thing added to my sense of ‘What am I doing here?’ But how quickly things change. Speaking to Elk last night reminded me to savour the small moments. So, in the last week my new experiences include: ·         Meeting the crew of ‘Blokes World’ and being filmed (probably will be cut, but who knows) as they prepared a show, to be filmed in about 4 weeks, featuring the Road Transport Hal...