I had expected to be on the road long before this. I was scheduled for some minor surgery on 20th July which was postponed till 3rd August, then 10th, 17th and 24th August. Because I have had a cough, I haven't been able to have an anaesthetic so the procedure has been postponed yet again. I don't have an appointment date so I've decided to try to book for late November or early December.
My goal for this year was to attend the CMCA rally in Albany WA starting about 26th October and tie that in with the Solo's rally in Wagin WA beginning on 12th October. I've decided that I can do both now so I am making plans.I have a few commitments before I can get away but I expect to leave by 10th September which will give me a month to make the leisurely trip across the Nullabor.
I have the van booked in to have the air conditioning re-gassed. Then I have to get the roof top air conditioner checked. This is one trip where I know I'll be needing cool air. Apart from that, I still have to get a door seal and an insect screen fitted to the sliding door. If there is anything else, it can wait or can be attended to en route.
At this time of the year, most Toastmasters clubs run speech contests and I have committed myself for three meetings. I am not competing this year because I wouldn't be here for the next round of competition. So I have volunteered to chair the contests at Peninsula and Healthy Chatterers clubs on 7th and 9th September.
Before then, I have agreed to make a speech at Bunya Toastmasters for their evaluation contest. This involves my making a 5-7 minute speech which will be evaluated by all contestants, probably anything from 3 to 7 or 8 evaluations. The speaker is usually from another club so that contestants aren't familiar with the speaker's style and have never heard the speech before. After the speech, the evaluators all leave the room and return one at a time to deliver their evaluation. Evaluations are always encouraging but it can be interesting to hear how others perceived the speech and to listen to suggestions for improvement.I am happy with the speech I have prepared but I'm glad I still have time to rehearse as it is still a bit rusty.
I hope I will get to Toastmasters meetings along the way. I have a couple of partly prepared speeches and bits and pieces like jokes, word of the day, and evaluation sheets to take with me. With a bit of warning, most clubs are happy to have guests and they often have a space available on the agenda. If all else fails, I will talk to myself all across the Nullabor.
