I said that my last few months on the road formed a transition to life at home. The first transition was to Toastmasters. Over the years, I had visited a lot of clubs around Australia but Peninsula and Healthy Chatterers remained my home clubs. I was coming up to 40 years in Peninsula and 10 years in Healthy Chatterers. I've always considered Toastmasters my second family, and the Solos Network of motorhoming solas as my third family. I knew I was coming close to a divorce from my third family but Toastmasters was to become important again. One of the things that I have linked over time was the travel and Toastmasters, not just in my blogs and speeches, but in the people I met along the way and the clubs I visited. I often had TM projects on the burner. While I was in Broome in about July, I began work on a project that I planned to deliver in November when I got home. I wanted to honour my friend Jan who was celebrating 40 years in Toastmasters. She joined Peninsula at about the time I transferred from Coolabah club in Mackay. My project was This is Your Life, Jan Bell. Over the following few month, I organised speakers from all parts of Jan's life based on the TV program from a few years back. Some of these were pre-recorded, like her grandson Mark who was, at the time, at a United Nations conference in Belguim. Others were to be on Zoom. Former work friends and retired Toastmasters were to be featured. As well, I knew there would be speakers at the meeting, such as her daughter, her granddaughter, and many Toastmasters friends. I had to rely on current members for some of the legwork involved in the preparation as I often lacked internet connections. All was going to plan until the last minute - widespead rain along my route home. Australian roads are not noted for their accessibility. As I rushed across the Nullabor, then South Australia and turned north, everywhere the road quality had deteriorated. Some roads were more pothole than road. I rushed to get ahead of the rain but only got as far as Moree before the floods forced me to stop. I couldn't get through to either Goondiwindi or Stanthorpe. After a few days, a young fellow I had been travelling with suggested that we backtrack to Tamworth and try the coastal route. I got home 24 hours before my presentation of This is your Life. The timing of the presentation was fortunate. Jan had recently been confined to a nursing home. She had said to Janine that she wanted to go to a meeting and say her farewells. Janine managed to bring her to this meeting where we honoured her 94th year of life and her 40th year of Toastmasters. It proved to be a rehearsal for her eulogy. Less than six months later, in her real eulogy, we repeated many of the stories she was privileged to hear before her death. By then, I had sold my motorhome and settled back into a quieter lifestyle. Because I had been on the road for most of the previous 13 years, I had no community at home apart from family. Over the next six months, I deliberately built community. I continued with my two Toastmasters clubs of course. On top of that I built a spiritual community at St gerard Majella's at Aspley, including working in the op shop there once a week. I joined the Burnie Brae senior centre playing Scrabble on Tuesday and attending the Older Women's Network (OWN) on Thursdays. For a while I was part of a ukulele group until my lack of time and lack of talent led me to drop that. Once a month I attended a Murder and Crime book club - which I prefer to call merely a Murder and Crime club, to keep people guessing. A couple of times a month, I went to trivia. I played cards and boardgames with my sisters and some Toastmaster friends. I think I have a good balance of activities and have several communities where I feel comfortable. This will be my last blog on this site.

 Time flies. It is nearly two years since I sold the van. My wings have been clipped. I had a wonderful swan song - the big lap over 10 months! That trip formed a kind of transition from my mobile life to the sedentary one that was beginning. 

During the big lap, I travelled mainly with Bethel, Pamela, Robyn, and Ali. After the Cohuna rally, most of the Solos headed west, along the Murray and then north to Gemtree, via Alice Springs. For a variety of reasons, the five of us (and John taking bird photos) left from Brisbane and travelled through Western Queensland, via Mount Isa and on the Gemtree. 

Ali, Monica, Bethel, Robyn and Pamela

Robyn, me and Pamela

At the Northern Territory Border, my van, Robyn's and Bethel's

After the rally or bush camp there, all five of us continued together to Darwin. Ali had trouble with her van and was stuck there for six weeks. The rest of use moved on and spent time in Lake Argyle, the Warrumbungles and the Kimberley area. Somewhere along the way, Pamela sprang a leak and her van went on a truck to Geraldton and she had to backtrack to eventually meet us in Broome.

We made our slow way across the north of Western Australia. At times we were joined by others, including Joy and Ed, Laraine, and Trevor. Having one of the blokes travelling with us added a campfire to the mix. We usually didn't bother about fires but the guys always carried a chainsaw and built a fire. Depending on who was with us at the time, sometimes there were dampers or meals. Our eventual destination was Leeman, north of Perth, for our second rally of the year. 

From there. we made our way home in smaller groups. Carol and Pamela left fairly early as Carol's son was ill. Bethel spent some time in hospital in Margaret River then flew home (to return for her van in the new year). I was meant to meet up with Robyn in Norseman to travel across the Nullabor together. However, she hurt her knee and was air ambulanced home, with her van following on a truck. So, when I got to Norseman, all my travel buddies had gone. I stayed at a free camp there, met up with a couple who were leaving at the same time, and travelled with them for three days in a quick trip. There was widespread rain, the roads were in dreadful condition, and it became important to get to the east coast while it was still possible.

At the Cohuna Flower Power rally

This blog was meant to explain the transition from travel to home but I'll save the transition for the next installment.

How do you say that?

I never thought I'd hear school kids say that they were going to study epidemiology, becoming an epidemiologist. In 2020-21 this has been highlighted as a relevant science with epidemiologist appearing often on our TV screens talking of the coronavirus, testing, vaccinations.  Coronavirus (COVID-19) has provided us with an incredible range of changes in our lives - not just in the medical side of the virus but, among other things, including the expansion of our COVID vocabulary.

We never think twice about talking of social distancing and we certainly know what it means. Even if there weren't signs and markings on the floor, we know to stand 1.5 metres from other people. We have a fair idea of where to sit when we need to have 2 square metres of space, as distinct from 4 square metres - all depending on the current rate of infection.

I don't think too many Australians ever imagined that state borders would close, restricting us to travel within our own states. We know about hard and soft borders and know that within hours we could be locked out of our home state. We've been quarantined in our houses, locked down in our suburb, restricted to 25km trips, prohibited from interstate and international travel. It's a new normal. It's amazing that we get used to wearing face masks in public, allowing only a handful of people into our homes, not shaking hands, and perhaps working from home.

Hotel quarantine has been a contentious issue. Anyone coming from overseas or interstate has been required to quarantine in specific hotels. Most of the cases seen over the past few months have originated in these hotels, usually followed by a 5 day lockdown. There is talk of building quarantine settlements away from the major cities to house hundreds of patients if needed. It seems the virus is expected to hang around for years. We have have to get used to sudden lockdowns, closed state borders and mass vaccinations.

Christmas in a Pandemic

 It has been an interesting year with a global pandemic the main decider of what we did and where we travelled. Now at Christmas time, we can look around the world and see the huge disruption the Coronavirus has caused. Most of the world is still in lockdown with international travel almost non-existent. 

We have been very fortunate that Australia has a very deep moat around it and we have escaped the worst. Even so, there have been to date 908 deaths with 820 resulting in an outbreak in Victoria, and 54 in New South Wales. Queensland has had 6 deaths and our premier has been quick to close the borders when outbreaks have occurred. In fact, every state border has been closed at times and for different lengths of time. Many of us are reluctant to travel interstate as the borders may slam shut at any time and we face quarantine on our return. Fortunately, Queensland is a very big state, bigger than many countries, and there are plenty of places to explore.

I have been at home again for several weeks. It is far too hot to be travelling in the van. Driving during the days is fine as the car air-con works well. However at night the main air-conditioner in the back needs to be plugged into power as the power from the solar powered batteries is not enough to run the air-con. That means either an overnight stay in a caravan park (expensive) or sweltering sleepless in the heat. I decided, as I have very efficient cooling in my own cottage and local shopping centres and coffee shops, that the best place to be during December and January is home!

As it happens, all my siblings and my kids and grandkids live in Queensland so we haven't had the disruptions that many families had to face - either staying apart from family or taking the chance of travelling when they may have to cancel unexpectedly or rush home prematurely.  We had a get-together of our generation at the end of November when all 13 of us were able to get together for an early Christmas gathering.

My goodness, we are looking our age (from 55- 78)

This was meant to be the year I got all my grandkids together for a photo. It hasn't happened so I have done the next best thing and got each family photographed separately. I will do a 'cut and paste' and frame them together if I can.

Krista

                                    

Andrew

Greg

Open Borders

This has been sitting in my draft folder for about 6 months. I am obviously not going to finish it so I'll post it, very belatedly.

We are free to travel. What a joy! For us Queenslanders, we can go anywhere in the state and are able to go interstate if we are prepared to go into quarantine. From next week, our borders will be open to all Australians, except Victorians who are suffering another spike in virus cases.

I hadn't realised that I was suffering from some depression until I visited my GP a couple of weeks ago and fell apart noisily and wetly. Being the wise woman that she is, she suggested that I stopped focussing on my health, which I can do nothing about as I wait for results, and dust off the van. I have done that.

Two weeks ago today, I left home and have now covered the 620 km trip to Rockamption, with a few very small detours and 12 overnight stops. I like the coastal trip north as I have a few family members to drop in on.  I spent two days in Maryborough as my aunt there is in a nursing home and I wanted to see her a couple of times. One of the shopping centres has free camping in their car park which is very convenient.  I also wanted to visit my niece in Wondai. I have almost lost touch with her over the years so it was nice to spend the night in her driveway and go out for breakfast together before I left.

I think it is lovely to meet up with family members because we always have so much in common. On this trip also I spent a couple of days with Judy and were joined by Chris (whom I'd always known as Little Chrissie). She was always one of the 'little kids' when we were growing up.  That doesn't seem to make much difference now that they have caught up with us. We've all taken our own unique journeys but have family history and family stories in common.and are never short of a topic of conversation. Tomorrow I will be in Mackay with my grandkids - making our own little bit of history together,

20/20 Vision

20/20! The year held so much enchantment. While I was still at school, I wrote an article for the Soubirous College yearbook about life in 2020.  It was totally fanciful, though much of what I imagined has long been part of our lives. The rest will only ever exist in my dreams. But there was a dream-like quality in the very name of the year. I was not the only one who was fascinated by the magic of the year. People have talked for decades about what we could expect by then.

The reality has been totally different. Rather than a dream, many of us have experienced a nightmare. For me personally, it has been a year of uncertainty healthwise. Part way through last year, I was diagnosed with a non-hodgkin lymphoma - a cancer of the blood. Chemotherapy continued until February 2020 and was then followed by radiation therapy. I have been fortunate that I seem to have responded well to the treatments, though I am still waiting for final test results.

I have never been particularly vain, having not much physically to be vain about. However, even after my thick auburn hair turned to much thinner white hair, I have to admit I was rather proud of my locks. Losing my hair was a shock, though I consoled myself with the thought that I had a nicely shaped head and it wasn't too upsetting when I looked in the mirror (after a while!). Then, one day I went to see the movie, 'Little Women'. It was a favourite of mine from my first reading of it when I was about 10. I knew the story. I knew what was coming. I knew Jo cut off her long hair to sell to provide money for the family. What I didn't know was that when she cried, I would too. In fact I cried for several hours. When I tried to explain what was wrong, I cried again. I felt so sorry for myself. Another time, I woke up crying from a dream where something in my life had gone wrong and I was punished by having my hair cropped. By then I had finished all my treatment. I should have been rejoicing that my health had recovered but I was crying over hair that would soon grow. And it is growing. One day soon I will swallow my vanity and appear au naturel in public.

But I am only a very small casualty of the year 2020.. This year we are suffering from a global pandemic where, so far, five and a half million people world wide have contracted the Coronavirus, Covid 19. There have been over 400,000 deaths with more to come as it continues to spread. The USA alone has over 100,000 fatalities because it was not taken seriously in the early stages. Here in Australia, deaths have been about 100 (far too many, of course) but our Prime Minister, Premiers and Health experts reacted quickly to the threat and made decisions that changed our lives - and saved our lives!

From being a global village, we are now isolated. International flights and shipping have come almost to a standstill. We don't expect that there will be leisure travel overseas in the next year, at the very least - maybe longer. There are very few domestic flights, if any, as all Australian states have closed their borders. Anyone travelling from one state to another has to self-quarantine for two weeks. In the past couple of weeks, as infections seem to have slowed, some travel has been permitted. Here in Queensland, we can now travel 150 km from home, but only on a day trip - no overnight stays or camping. We are now allowed to have 5 people visit us in our homes. Hotels, cafes, restaurants are allowed no more than 10 customers at a time, so many have elected to stay closed. Many businesses remain closed with employees working from home when possible. Essential workers face the everyday insecurities of possible contact

Our children went back to school today after about 2 months at home. As they had only just started their new year and new class, today was a very anxious time. Kids had to get back into the classroom, getting to know their teachers again and re-establishing friendships that had scarcely been made, especially for those going into a new school or moving from primary to secondary school. They have had access to on-line learning with varying amounts of success. The worry for many of them is how they can catch up.  This is particularly so for Year 12 students who have missed vital months of learning as they prepared for University and careers next year. For many tertiary students, their dream of University faded as only distance learning was available, not the total change of education they expected.

There has been unimaginable disruption to our lives this year, and still more to come as this virus maybe around for months or years. I have been reluctant to write about the year as it has been so different from anything we could have imagined when we put those magical numbers together. But it is reality for us this year and important to record some of the events that have made up the first part of 2020.

Bark Properly

I am not a Dr Doolittle type. I don't talk to animals any more than I am likely to talk to trees or rocks. I must admit that I roll my eyes in disbelief when I hear grown humans talking to and about their animals. 'Who's Mummy's good boy then?' 'Give Mummy (or Daddy) a kiss.' Look at my little Arthur. Isn't he just so beautiful?' If I called my friend a bitch, she would be offended but she says to a dog, 'Come to Mummy.' Just what is a dog's mother called?

So, I couldn't believe my ears when I heard myself yell to the dog next door. 'Bark properly, you stupid animal!' When there is nobody at home, the dog barks - soft, pause, loud, short pause, short woof, over and over. There is only so much a neighbor can endure on a sleepless night!                woof .....WOOF ..oo.....woof .....WOOF ..oo

Not only that, I am talking to ants. I have a constant stream of them in my kitchen. I can watch for hours as they run up and down the wall.There seem to be protocols they all observe. Those going up, pause and seem to touch those who are going down. It seems a task is assigned to a certain number of ants. There might be a dozen carrying a crumb up the wall. No more join them, though they may slip back and make negative progress over a long period of time. Others just scurry past and leave them to their effort. I often tell them that I admire their tenacity. However, if they gather on a plate waiting to be washed, I have no qualms about washing them down the plug hole with hot soapy water. I do extend my condolences, though, as I send them on their way.

I suppose we all respond to the enforced isolation of Coronavirus in different ways. For those who spend most or all of their year on the road, it may be particularly stressful. The internet is awash with memes.  I have taken a few onboard. I like the reminder given in: You are not stuck at home; you are safe at home. I have also embraced the fact that language influences our reactions. I tell myself that I am not isolated, I am enjoying solitude.

We are being brainwashed into thinking we should be busy and productive all the time we are confined to our homes. We are bombarded with suggestions for filling our time - classes, dance parties, exercise groups, movies, new hobbies. We have to go, go, go!

As Solo travellers, we know that it not true. While we travel, we are experts at doing nothing. We can sit by our motorhomes and watch clouds drifting by, listen to the call of birds, and dream of places to go and people to see. We know that doing nothing is often exactly what our souls and bodies need, and we do it well. We can do it just as well at home.

My recommendation to my fellow Solos is, don’t let the world, the media, your neighbours and friends convince you that have to be constantly active. Just remember that times of quiet and reflection also refresh the body and the soul. And besides, we have earned the right not to listen to other people, not to follow their suggestions and not to do even one thing that we don’t want to. So, go ahead. Do as much or as little as you feel like. Be slothful if that’s what you want – and call it communing with your inner self! That is being productive, in my book.

Just to stay in touch with those who are spending more time at home than they want to, I asked for ideas of how to fill the long days. I was bombarded with suggestions and am including some but, remember, these are only for those who feel compelled to do something. 

• ·         Put your camera onto video mode and take friends on a guided tour of your garden, or your pantry or your make-up cupboard.
• ·         Choose a theme and dress for the occasion each day.
• ·         Play Naughts and Crosses with your teddy bear or an imaginary friend. Don’t cheat.
• ·         Freeze your car keys into a block of ice so you are not tempted to go out. (Maybe freeze your snacks as well.)
• ·         Register with AA and WW in preparation for the end of isolation.
• ·         Clean the pockets of the driver’s door of your motorhome. If you find a box of matches, check the tread depth in your tyres. Make a collage from chocolate wrappers found there.
• ·         Take photos of the interior of your MH, print them out and display them around your house.
• ·         Take a list like this and add to it daily. When you get to 50 items, post it on Facebook.

I have cheated a bit and taken photos of what I might have done if I had been stirred to action.Don't believe everything you see - technology is a wonderful thing!

Dressing up or my normal persona?
Note the white wig

Registering for AA and WW
Note the ginger wig

Playing naughts and crosses with Teddy.
Note the grey wig

Arranging my hair products in optimistic anticipation
Note the absence of wig