Looking forward, glancing back
My dear friend PJ says "Remember the rear vision mirror is small and the windscreen is very big".
My car at CEVA waiting to be loaded onto the truck for its new life down South. It will be travelling new roads with me; together we will journey along coastlines, gaze into the distance in the High Country and eventually tackle Melbourne city traffic together. There will be frosty mornings, hot dry weather, salt spray and perhaps a roof rack with a paddle board strapped on but first the long journey from Darwin to Victoria.
Memories of my first plane journey at 18, flying to Canberra for a Commonwealth Scholarship
interview. The first step that led me to the Northern Territory 37 years ago. So many paths I chose to take, some were smooth, straight and short, some were winding and others were rocky, potholed, scary and seemingly endless.
So many lessons I have learnt along the way, experiences I have lived:
Ti Tree School north of Alice Springs as a wide eyed, green as green, shy young teacher
Driving hundreds of miles visiting my husband-to-be in road camps, South to Kulgera and beyond, east to the Queensland border, west to Rabbit Flat and north to Tennant Creek. Sleeping in a swag under unbelievable starry skies in the Tanami Desert, swimming in waterholes just off the South Road and seeing old homesteads, abandoned but looking as if the owner would be back any minute to spread vegemite on his toast.
Borroloola with a beautiful ragamuffin daughter, cyclones, fires, fishing, friends and family
Batchelor with a bright eyed son, new adventures, wonderful friendships and study to become a librarian
Then troubled times, divorce, heartache, tears, learning, mending and living again. Such joy in my beautiful, warm and kind-hearted children
Darwin with new experiences, a dream job, a home for my children and me, a garden and a studio to make stuff to my heart’s content
Now the next stage of my life - exciting, scary, new, unknown.... and a soon to be born grandchild
How far I have come and so many roads still waiting to be travelled, experiences to be had, lessons to learn and friendships to form….. AND food to eat, wine to drink, cakes to bake and art to make.