I have just won a battle! It should have been a quick victory but it grew to an event of almost biblical proportions. It wasn't really a David and Goliath battle because Goliath turned the story around.
When I arrived home I discovered I had unwittingly picked up a migrating mouse. Whether he decided to leave home when I was in Goombungee (where he had plenty of friends) or he found the railway repairs in Ipswich too noisy when I overnighted there or whether he hopped on board when I parked in the cul de sac up the road because our driveway was full, I couldn't decide. However it happened, I had a mouse.
Because I was planning for a couple of months close to home, I had emptied the van of clothes and food. My first indication of a stowaway was finding a couple of coffee sachets on the floor. Great! I had a rodent hyped up on coffee and bound up on foil packaging - but no other clues.
My first step was to put a block of Ratsak in the middle of the van floor. His first response was to have a very determined meal from the bait. Day 2, I was better prepared and he was obviously muscled up from rat bait and coffee. I replaced the Ratsak out in the middle and dusted liberally around it with talcum powder to track his movements. He was blatantly prepared to outwit me. He ignored the talc except to flick it around with his tail. He pushed or pulled the block of bait through the powder and stashed it behind the Porta Pottie (toilet). During the day, he moved it up and over a couple of small chocks of timber that wedged the toilet firmly to the wall. Somehow he then managed to drop it from the floor underneath to the step cavity. Nowhere to go from there! Two mouse traps and a smear of crunchy peanut butter later, I was the victor. But he was a very small mouse to have achieved so much. The traps stayed out a few more days but he was obviously a Solo traveller like me. Mighty Mouse!
You should see the van now. During the battle, I removed everything from the van - solar panels, chairs, cooking equipment, fishing gear, knitting projects, etc. My dear daughter threatened death and destruction if I dared bring anything into the house that might contain a mouse. I set up my portable shower tent in the driveway and filled it. After washing, cleaning, wiping out drawers and generally spring cleaning, I put it all back. It looks too neat to live in but I guess a few days on the road will take care of that.
I expect another month at home doing the school drop off and pick up. That's usually a Mum or Dad job but both have longer hours for a few weeks so I volunteered to do it during my recuperation time since my surgery last month. Then I will head north for another round of Nana duty in the next school holiday, having a bit of sightseeing on the way.
My itineraries have a habit of going adrift so I won't tempt fate by looking further ahead. But, just quietly, I have Boorowa (NSW), Canberra (ACT), Campbell Town and Pontville (Tas) firmly in my sights for the next twelve months.
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Friday, 18 March 2016
Home and Away
St Patrick's Day. Time has really flown. I have been back and forth all year. I agreed to look after Cory and Hudson for the second part of the Christmas holidays. They still seemed tired and unready for school so we had a very low-key few weeks - trips to the library, swimming at the beach at Scarborough or Clontarf. Cooper joined us sometimes He and Hudson still have a battle of wills after a couple of hours together.
Mia turned 3 in February - a very grown up and determined little miss! She is very articulate and knows exactly what she wants. And, of course, she is getting more gorgeous every day.
I dashed off for a few days and spent most of that time with Annie and Les at Maclean. They have a lovely big property on a bend of the mighty Clarence River. They run an airbnb business as they have plenty of room - and they are very hospitable. I plugged in to their back yard and made myself comfortable. This time I didn't stay with Tracie but she visited me while I was with Annie, but an afternoon of talking is not enough.
Then up to Mackay I went to look after Tim and Oscar. School was back by then so it was a matter of getting them off to school in the morning and collecting them in the afternoon. Most of the rest of the day I spent in the pool trying to recover from 95+ humidity. I hardly caught up with any friends as it was far too hot. I did spend a couple of hours at the school with Oscar's Prep class several times and I will do the same when I go back in June.
I had a quick trip then from Brisbane to Forbes NSW for the Solos' motorhome rally. I drove further each day than I usually do when I'm on the road and covered 1200km in 4 days. I should have kept driving as I arrived in Forbes to dreadful heat with no airconditioning allowed at the rally site. With about 350 motorhomes, we would drain the town's energy supply in no time flat.
There have been ups and downs. The heat has really knocked people around. I don't know if everyone was as bad as me but I have been very irritable and tired. It was so hard to sleep the first few days but fortunately things have improved. I woke this morning to a drenched van. I had left both side doors open for coolness. The wind obviously blew from both sides during the night and the floor and anything left lying untidily around was wet. A couple of times I have had to remove the awning before the whole van took off.
We had quite an experience with the movies that had been organised with a huge inflatable screen that couldn't deal with the wind. We watched The Dressmaker on Tuesday night - with inbuilt censorship. It seemed as though any time we got to a slightly saucy scene, the screen folded up on itself. I had taken a box of tissues ready for the emotional scenes and I was feeling a bit sorry for myself and planned on a private little pity party. Instead, like everyone else, I had a wonderful night of almost hysterical laughter. The screen was more reliable the next night and we didn't need people standing there with mops to push the screen up again. I was suddenly feeling the results of several nights with very little sleep and went to bed while I was still tired.
Because I came in early as a volunteer, I've had an extra few days. Some of the organisers have been here for weeks but I arrived last Thursday. The First Timers (about 70 of them) arrived on Saturday and the bulk of the group came on Monday. We will finish on Monday. Saturday is to be an Open Day when members of the community can come in and look around the vans. On Sunday there is a sports day (though I have no idea what sports there are and I am not likely to find out) and in the evening there will be a farewell function which will include a concert. I have been working with the First Timers on a skit and a couple of songs. I had put something together for our group from last
year but handed it over to someone else as the First Timers items are taking longer than I expected.
We have been well catered for. I'm probably like most of the group and have taken advantage of what is available - a welcome lunch for the newbies and the volunteers, a welcome dinner at the RSL, a final dinner at the Golf Club - all of which have been provided by the Solos Network or the community. Food vans have been on site for lunch and dinner. An ice-cream and coffee van seems to have done good business. I bought breakfast one day when there was a poets' breakfast - where I read a couple of my poems. And a bus does a round trip through town about every half hour so there is plenty of access to coffee shops, the clubs and grocery stores.
When I leave on Monday, I shall just meander home and be there by the week after Easter.
Stay tuned for photos.
Mia turned 3 in February - a very grown up and determined little miss! She is very articulate and knows exactly what she wants. And, of course, she is getting more gorgeous every day.
I dashed off for a few days and spent most of that time with Annie and Les at Maclean. They have a lovely big property on a bend of the mighty Clarence River. They run an airbnb business as they have plenty of room - and they are very hospitable. I plugged in to their back yard and made myself comfortable. This time I didn't stay with Tracie but she visited me while I was with Annie, but an afternoon of talking is not enough.
Then up to Mackay I went to look after Tim and Oscar. School was back by then so it was a matter of getting them off to school in the morning and collecting them in the afternoon. Most of the rest of the day I spent in the pool trying to recover from 95+ humidity. I hardly caught up with any friends as it was far too hot. I did spend a couple of hours at the school with Oscar's Prep class several times and I will do the same when I go back in June.
 |
| Cory 10 |
 |
| Hudson 8 |
 |
| Cooper 7 |
 |
| Oscar 4 |
 |
| Tim 13 |
 |
| Mia 3 |
I had a quick trip then from Brisbane to Forbes NSW for the Solos' motorhome rally. I drove further each day than I usually do when I'm on the road and covered 1200km in 4 days. I should have kept driving as I arrived in Forbes to dreadful heat with no airconditioning allowed at the rally site. With about 350 motorhomes, we would drain the town's energy supply in no time flat.
There have been ups and downs. The heat has really knocked people around. I don't know if everyone was as bad as me but I have been very irritable and tired. It was so hard to sleep the first few days but fortunately things have improved. I woke this morning to a drenched van. I had left both side doors open for coolness. The wind obviously blew from both sides during the night and the floor and anything left lying untidily around was wet. A couple of times I have had to remove the awning before the whole van took off.
We had quite an experience with the movies that had been organised with a huge inflatable screen that couldn't deal with the wind. We watched The Dressmaker on Tuesday night - with inbuilt censorship. It seemed as though any time we got to a slightly saucy scene, the screen folded up on itself. I had taken a box of tissues ready for the emotional scenes and I was feeling a bit sorry for myself and planned on a private little pity party. Instead, like everyone else, I had a wonderful night of almost hysterical laughter. The screen was more reliable the next night and we didn't need people standing there with mops to push the screen up again. I was suddenly feeling the results of several nights with very little sleep and went to bed while I was still tired.
Because I came in early as a volunteer, I've had an extra few days. Some of the organisers have been here for weeks but I arrived last Thursday. The First Timers (about 70 of them) arrived on Saturday and the bulk of the group came on Monday. We will finish on Monday. Saturday is to be an Open Day when members of the community can come in and look around the vans. On Sunday there is a sports day (though I have no idea what sports there are and I am not likely to find out) and in the evening there will be a farewell function which will include a concert. I have been working with the First Timers on a skit and a couple of songs. I had put something together for our group from last
year but handed it over to someone else as the First Timers items are taking longer than I expected.
We have been well catered for. I'm probably like most of the group and have taken advantage of what is available - a welcome lunch for the newbies and the volunteers, a welcome dinner at the RSL, a final dinner at the Golf Club - all of which have been provided by the Solos Network or the community. Food vans have been on site for lunch and dinner. An ice-cream and coffee van seems to have done good business. I bought breakfast one day when there was a poets' breakfast - where I read a couple of my poems. And a bus does a round trip through town about every half hour so there is plenty of access to coffee shops, the clubs and grocery stores.
When I leave on Monday, I shall just meander home and be there by the week after Easter.
Stay tuned for photos.
Sunday, 27 December 2015
Post Christmas
Christmas has come and gone. I had a 'spaced out' celebration. It wasn't me who was spaced out but our events were. Because Greg and Nikki and Cooper and Mia were going away for Christmas, we had the Christmas tree for the kids a week earlier. With four kids and an over-indulgent Nana, there were plenty of gifts under the tree, and most of them were opened.
The children had already received some gifts from their parents' work parties and had decided the previous night which of those would be put under the Wishing Tree at the shopping centre. All four kids seem to accept that when they get extra toys and gifts, they should give some to children who don't have much. I am always proud of their attitude - modelled by their parents, of course, who donate to charity a percentage of what they spend on their own kids.
On Christmas Eve, we opened the last of the gifts under the tree - mainly for Krista and Umar and a couple of extras for Cory and Hudson. I didn't have any because I was too greedy the previous week and opened all mine then. Lord grant me patience - and give it to me now! On Christmas morning we found that Santa had been and the boys got all they wanted, and more. They each got a small tablet, and I got sole use of my iPad again.
My family in Mackay didn't come down but my gifts had arrived in time for Christmas, as did their gift for me. Coffee vouchers! How did they know? I don't think I will see them these holidays as Andrew is taking Timothy and Oscar fishing at the beach hut. Then next week they are both playing in a golf tournament at Yeppoon. Tim, at twelve, is now playing 18 holes while four year old Oscar plays three holes. He is so little that he takes about 50 strokes to get around the course. He looks good but is exhausted at the end.
We joined any other of my siblings who weren't committed to grandkids for lunch at Keith's place. There were probably about 25 of us and we each brought a dish for lunch. My reputation as a cook is legendary so I am always asked to bring some sweet nibblies. (I think the reasoning is that if I muck them up, it won't matter because they are not part of the real meal.) However I did a TimTam slice and my famous rum balls. The rum balls are almost healthy as the main ingredient is Weetbix. The TimTam slice was very easy to make and very popular to eat. I could even remember the recipe when I was asked for it. Crush 3 packets of TimTams in a blender. Add a tin of condensed milk. Roll out into a log in coconut. Chill, then cut into narrow slices. It couldn't be simpler - or more calorie laden.
After the festivities I am regaining my strength ready for my next trip. I am sleeping late and having an afternoon nap under the air conditioner. An afternoon coffee shop trip doubles as exercise. I am careful not to overdo things as you never know when disaster will hit and I need to be refreshed and rested and able to face anything.
We are fortunate at the moment to face only afternoon storms, so far without hail. North and Central Queensland are flooded at the moment after days of deluges. It may soon be enough to break the drought but the damage will be extensive. Meanwhile, on Australia's south coast, bushfires are raging out of control and have totally destroyed about 120 homes in three coastal towns. This is the most unpredictable part of the year. Although I am disappointed not to be travelling at the moment, I know I am in the safest place here at home.
But ..... watch this space! I will be gone as soon as I can.
The children had already received some gifts from their parents' work parties and had decided the previous night which of those would be put under the Wishing Tree at the shopping centre. All four kids seem to accept that when they get extra toys and gifts, they should give some to children who don't have much. I am always proud of their attitude - modelled by their parents, of course, who donate to charity a percentage of what they spend on their own kids.
On Christmas Eve, we opened the last of the gifts under the tree - mainly for Krista and Umar and a couple of extras for Cory and Hudson. I didn't have any because I was too greedy the previous week and opened all mine then. Lord grant me patience - and give it to me now! On Christmas morning we found that Santa had been and the boys got all they wanted, and more. They each got a small tablet, and I got sole use of my iPad again.
My family in Mackay didn't come down but my gifts had arrived in time for Christmas, as did their gift for me. Coffee vouchers! How did they know? I don't think I will see them these holidays as Andrew is taking Timothy and Oscar fishing at the beach hut. Then next week they are both playing in a golf tournament at Yeppoon. Tim, at twelve, is now playing 18 holes while four year old Oscar plays three holes. He is so little that he takes about 50 strokes to get around the course. He looks good but is exhausted at the end.
We joined any other of my siblings who weren't committed to grandkids for lunch at Keith's place. There were probably about 25 of us and we each brought a dish for lunch. My reputation as a cook is legendary so I am always asked to bring some sweet nibblies. (I think the reasoning is that if I muck them up, it won't matter because they are not part of the real meal.) However I did a TimTam slice and my famous rum balls. The rum balls are almost healthy as the main ingredient is Weetbix. The TimTam slice was very easy to make and very popular to eat. I could even remember the recipe when I was asked for it. Crush 3 packets of TimTams in a blender. Add a tin of condensed milk. Roll out into a log in coconut. Chill, then cut into narrow slices. It couldn't be simpler - or more calorie laden.
After the festivities I am regaining my strength ready for my next trip. I am sleeping late and having an afternoon nap under the air conditioner. An afternoon coffee shop trip doubles as exercise. I am careful not to overdo things as you never know when disaster will hit and I need to be refreshed and rested and able to face anything.
We are fortunate at the moment to face only afternoon storms, so far without hail. North and Central Queensland are flooded at the moment after days of deluges. It may soon be enough to break the drought but the damage will be extensive. Meanwhile, on Australia's south coast, bushfires are raging out of control and have totally destroyed about 120 homes in three coastal towns. This is the most unpredictable part of the year. Although I am disappointed not to be travelling at the moment, I know I am in the safest place here at home.
But ..... watch this space! I will be gone as soon as I can.
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Home Just to Change Direction
I have been home for five busy days. It's amazing that I've arrived in time for Christmas parties! That's good. I'm also due for surgery. That's not so good. That probably won't happen. And that's not good - as it was the main reason I came home.
A visit to my GP confirmed that COPD has extended into full blown asthma and I have probably had a recurrence of whooping cough. More medication! Before my 8.30am (!) appointment tomorrow with the surgeon, I have spent today in waiting rooms - blood tests, a chest xray, and a routine breast screening. I assume that the surgery will be postponed once again but hopefully on fairly soon so that I can resume my travels.
Christmas will be rather quiet this year. Andrew and the boys won't be down. Greg and Nikki and the two littlies are going visiting and may be camping. Krista and Umar and the boys and I will probably just do the Santa things and enjoy our airconditioned home. I imagine that any orphans will be welcomed at Keith's place where we have gathered the last few years. We now do the full family get together on the October long weekend and a cousins' reunion on the Sunday before Easter. As most of us have grandchildren now, we are committed to our 'down line' at Christmas.
I got inspired at the rallies to start writing poetry again and have added a blog to this one - silvergypsy1944rhymes.blogspot.com. You can also click on at the top of my home page. I am having a ball writing these. Last night I had a call from someone selling funeral insurance. I got creative on the phone, explaining that my daughter was a taxidermist (well, she could have been!) and that I was going to stuffed as a museum specimen and then stored at home to look after the kids. I couldn't resist a poem called Get Stuffed. It was fun writing it and I got lots of feedback on my blog. With Toastmasters clubs all on a Christmas break, I imagine I'll use that blog for my creativity.
A visit to my GP confirmed that COPD has extended into full blown asthma and I have probably had a recurrence of whooping cough. More medication! Before my 8.30am (!) appointment tomorrow with the surgeon, I have spent today in waiting rooms - blood tests, a chest xray, and a routine breast screening. I assume that the surgery will be postponed once again but hopefully on fairly soon so that I can resume my travels.
Christmas will be rather quiet this year. Andrew and the boys won't be down. Greg and Nikki and the two littlies are going visiting and may be camping. Krista and Umar and the boys and I will probably just do the Santa things and enjoy our airconditioned home. I imagine that any orphans will be welcomed at Keith's place where we have gathered the last few years. We now do the full family get together on the October long weekend and a cousins' reunion on the Sunday before Easter. As most of us have grandchildren now, we are committed to our 'down line' at Christmas.
I got inspired at the rallies to start writing poetry again and have added a blog to this one - silvergypsy1944rhymes.blogspot.com. You can also click on at the top of my home page. I am having a ball writing these. Last night I had a call from someone selling funeral insurance. I got creative on the phone, explaining that my daughter was a taxidermist (well, she could have been!) and that I was going to stuffed as a museum specimen and then stored at home to look after the kids. I couldn't resist a poem called Get Stuffed. It was fun writing it and I got lots of feedback on my blog. With Toastmasters clubs all on a Christmas break, I imagine I'll use that blog for my creativity.
Thursday, 3 December 2015
Gunnedah, steeped in history
Gunnedah claims Dorothea McKellar even though nobody is sure that she lived here. It is believed that she holidayed here and that this area inspired her most famous poem, My Country.The best known verse goes like this (with apologies for any memory lapse)
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of drought and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me.
In Gunnedah I was impressed with the other acknowledgements of history. In the Pensioners' Hill Park there are a number of sandstone sculptures detailing the indigenous and the modern history of the town.
I followed the Poets' Walk around town. Copies of famous poems have been set up in appropriate places. 'Said Hanrahan" is in the grounds of the Catholic Church. 'The Bush School' is at the state school etc. I loved the concept but unfortunately they have not been maintained and are hard to find and equally hard to read.
Keeping Myself Amused
As I drove through Tenterfield today, I saw a sign painted on the road, saying 1501. I did a bit of maths and decided that it had nothing to do with the history of the Middle Ages. I thought about a time, one minute after three in the afternoon. That made no sense either. Fortunately within a couple of blocks I came across the same sign, not painted into a white box. It said simply 50 - and I was happy to go with the speed limit.
I entertained myself remembering signs I had seen along the way. A long term storage facility had a huge banner along the side saying 'Children Free'. I know a lot of parents who would be happy to put their kids into storage from time to time, even long term would be seriously considered. That would allow the cereal box header to come into play, 'Adults go free!' As someone who is experiencing the freedom of the road, I wish freedom for all adults.
Bundaberg soft drinks (like sarsaparilla and ginger beer) have a suggestion on the label, 'Invert bottle before opening'. I assume they want us to turn the bottle upside down to dislodge any sediment or to shake up the bubbles or for some other serious reason - and then turn it right way up before opening. Inverting and then opening would result in an empty bottle.
I've been to two Toastmaster meetings in the past two days. On Tuesday night I joined the Gunnedah Toastmasters for a Speechfest meeting. I was lucky enough to get on the program and did the final speech in the Speaking to Inform manual. I was a bit disappointed as I had a wonderful quote to finish with and forgot to read it. Because I have finally, after 35 years of Toastmasters, had the confidence to attempt my speeches without notes, I forgot I had the quotation written out and left on the lectern.
My evening ended on a high as Angela and Peter invited me to camp overnight at their farm. I had planned on free camping at the RV spot near the river but Angela insisted there was nobody there and I should come with them. Apparently there was thunder and lightning during the night but I slept through it all in the total quiet and dark of their property. I was a bit slow getting away as we talked for quite a while and I sorted out a few simple computer issues.
On Wednesday (last night) I went to the advanced club in Tamworth. Like most advanced clubs there were a lot of very experienced speakers and the agenda provided a good variety. I was involved in the warm up exercise and a Just a Minute segment.
I headed off north immediately after the meeting and stopped about half an hour along the road. I thought I had slept well but ended up having a short nap today at Armidale and another at Glen Innes. I was tempted at Tenterfield but continued to the Jennings Hotel which is a step over the border from Wangaratta. Tomorrow I'll be back in Queensland.
I entertained myself remembering signs I had seen along the way. A long term storage facility had a huge banner along the side saying 'Children Free'. I know a lot of parents who would be happy to put their kids into storage from time to time, even long term would be seriously considered. That would allow the cereal box header to come into play, 'Adults go free!' As someone who is experiencing the freedom of the road, I wish freedom for all adults.
Bundaberg soft drinks (like sarsaparilla and ginger beer) have a suggestion on the label, 'Invert bottle before opening'. I assume they want us to turn the bottle upside down to dislodge any sediment or to shake up the bubbles or for some other serious reason - and then turn it right way up before opening. Inverting and then opening would result in an empty bottle.
I've been to two Toastmaster meetings in the past two days. On Tuesday night I joined the Gunnedah Toastmasters for a Speechfest meeting. I was lucky enough to get on the program and did the final speech in the Speaking to Inform manual. I was a bit disappointed as I had a wonderful quote to finish with and forgot to read it. Because I have finally, after 35 years of Toastmasters, had the confidence to attempt my speeches without notes, I forgot I had the quotation written out and left on the lectern.
My evening ended on a high as Angela and Peter invited me to camp overnight at their farm. I had planned on free camping at the RV spot near the river but Angela insisted there was nobody there and I should come with them. Apparently there was thunder and lightning during the night but I slept through it all in the total quiet and dark of their property. I was a bit slow getting away as we talked for quite a while and I sorted out a few simple computer issues.
On Wednesday (last night) I went to the advanced club in Tamworth. Like most advanced clubs there were a lot of very experienced speakers and the agenda provided a good variety. I was involved in the warm up exercise and a Just a Minute segment.
I headed off north immediately after the meeting and stopped about half an hour along the road. I thought I had slept well but ended up having a short nap today at Armidale and another at Glen Innes. I was tempted at Tenterfield but continued to the Jennings Hotel which is a step over the border from Wangaratta. Tomorrow I'll be back in Queensland.
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
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