Working in the front room of our shack.
School holidays – not only do I just roll about in the time I get to spend with TFG but our shack doesn’t have internet.
This bugs me so little I’ve not pushed to get it.
But it does mean that when we are over there my blogging is reduced to scribbles in my blog journal.
We have returned to the work house to do laundry (the washing machine is here), because I promised the husband (who is still attending work every day here) and because TFG is a wreath bearer at the Dawn Service here this year.
And I have been catching up on reading my favourite blogs.
We’ve been horse riding, on unplanned drives, just hung out and enjoyed autumn.
Leaves lie all over the streets waiting to be kicked to the four corners of the world.
The London Plane Trees have donated variously coloured, gigantic maple shaped leaves that now adorn our nature table.
The kids are snugged up in warm coats and cosy beanies.
On the way to Port Fairy, Victoria – which we randomly decided to visit after returning from horse riding.
Their fighting doesn’t seem so bad at our house and I have finally sat down and finished a plan of attack on the garden and house.
Sunrise at our place
How could I not be happy here?
The church bells echoed across the town on sunday and I found a sweet spot of sunshine on the kitchen bench, where I perched to read with a cuppa.
I finally got to look in some more of the second hand shops (we have many in our town) and talked to the shop keepers at great length.
I know where we are getting any furniture we need now.
We found a secret book shop, hidden behind an art gallery.
TFG informs the owner that the book OFG is buying is a “Best Seller”.
The owner then congratulates the kids on having the sort of parents who let them buy books whenever they want.
She tells me she has been collecting books for when she has grandchildren so that she can share all her favourites with them.
We encounter friendliness from all the townsfolk and I can feel their good wishes at us trying to become permanent residents.
I missed my mum a lot – not just because I know she and my step-dad would love those shops full of treasures but also because I know she and I would be out in the chilly air clearing the garden up if she were close by.
I’ve had quiet epiphanies, noisy meals, lonely sobs and great, gulping laughs.
The holidays are nearly at an end but what an amazing journey they have been.
Normal service here will resume next week, I think.
