A REVIEW OF THE YEAR

i've been looking back 

over the past twelve months, thinking about the things i've been confronted with, how i've coped and how things are now.  looking at the pros and cons of being here

PROS                                             CONS

THE RIVER                                   distance from friends

                                                        down south

kind, helpful

people – new                                 

friends                                            

being on the ground                     can be solitary

                  

the house & trees                          high electricity

                                                         costs, heating,

                                                         cooling, pump                           

                                                        

the birds                                         no film culture

 *use of river water                      lots to look after*

for watering

art vault  facilities

and people                                    

mildura shopping ok                    no shopping to

                                                         speak of in wenty

fresh fruit & veg off

the side of the road

the whole food

and wine culture

space                                             

great workspace                           distractions of

                                                        working at home

                                                                                (i now have a fortnightly cleaner)

When i first came i had my first summer to experience, one of the hottest for years, in one week every day was over 42deg.

i had to become acquainted with the pump, install an automatic watering system to operate while i’m away, i’ve been away constantly over the past year, ubud in october, back and forth to melbourne, china in march, istanbul in april, japan in july, armidale in august, off to melbourne this week for 3 weeks.  so the property has to be able to be left from time to time.

i’ve had a snake drop out of the bungalow ceiling, a huntsman bigger than my hand, a small flood in the loungeroom (leaves on the roof)  a bathroom renovation that’s so far taken 31/2 months and not finished yet. another bathroom to go.

9 months ago i was having anxiety attacks and spinning out about what i’d done – the change seemed overwhelming.  would i ever work again?  i was so far from everyone,  had i thrown away everything i'd worked for, a good investment in elwood, contacts with work . . .

yesterday i was sitting out on the riverbank having a stones with ice (medicinal purposes) and doing codewords, watching the pelicans flying by, grass parrots on the lawn, my current book project almost finished inside, a really exciting project to start on, and i feel like i’m really settling in and enjoying being here.   things are slowly getting under control,  new plants are taking hold, friends coming to housesit later in the week, off to a movie today with a good friend,  it’s all feeling pretty nice.

and i still can't believe this beautiful place is really mine.