BOOK WEEK

august 22  after a lovely two days with sunny and etta i'm now in deniliquin, driving on to Hillston in the Hay Plain NSW for two days of illustrator talks.

I've been really stressed and nervous about it, haven't done any for years. I feel so much older - am i still relevant?  spent a lot of time getting my talk organised in my head and making sure i packed the car with stuff for every possibility.  so long as the technology works i'll be fine and i've brought my own paper and charcoal to make sure it's the right stuff.

then yesterday morning as i jumped in the car to go, it wouldn't start!!! i really freaked out, i'm in a pretty stressed state these days, all part of the moving and settling in process plus medical interruptions.

rang the mechanic who drove straight over and started the car straight away!  aaagh! he says the starter motor could be on the way out but i should be right for the trip so here i am. it's 8am and i've just been out and started the car.  hopefully it starts again :0[

i drove pretty much all day and on the way trevor chappell started talking about book week and how it was a celebration of writers and illustrators.  that cheered me up, a new viewpoint.  then a woman called joan rang from portarlington and mentioned me and how much she loved my work, so i pulled over and rang Trevor too to tell him about my involvement in book week.  that buoyed me too :0)

got to Edward River Hotel in Deniliquin around 5, earlier than expected. 

From the outside it looks fine but inside - what a dump, a bloky dump with corrugated iron walls, one fat bloke with long white hair and wispy beard sitting on a stool watching tv.  all dark and dingy, the barmaid and a woman going through piles of scratchy tickets. after waiting about 10 minutes for the owner to come and check me in  I walked out and went down the main road to check out other pubs.  Pubs everywhere, i went into the Globe and they had no accomm at all but the chef said she's just put wagyu scotch fillet on the menu so i said i'd be back.   she recommended the Coachhouse up the road - they were booked out so i got a scotch and set about googling and calling.  everywhere was full or too expensive so Scotty, the owner got on the phone and organised this motel for me.  it's fine, a bit more than a hotel but it's got what i need and i had a comfy night.  now i'm ready to hit the road and get up to Hillston mid afternoon so i can check out the library and decide how i do my talk.    Two groups of eighty from kinder to grade 6 so this morning i suddenly realised they don't have to draw,  they can watch me do some demos.

had the beautiful steak at the Globe and congratulated the chef, a lovely chatty girl. then home for a restless night feeling like i was getting a UTI :0{   So i drank heaps of water and this morning i'm fine after a pretty crummy night. hopefully tonight will be more relaxed when i've seen the space i'll be in

ok, i'm off, here's hoping the car starts again.  I can't wait to get home on friday - collapse in a heap then get stuck into sorting the studio now that the plan drawers are pushed away from the middle.  i wonder if trent will finish off the window trims this week.

emus and canola on the drive to Hillston

AUGUST 26 - HOME AFTER TWO MORE DAYS ON THE ROAD

Book week visits were all great! I got to Hillston with no dramas, the day in the library went well. the kids fitted, only one group didn't draw, they were just too big to spread out with paper so i did a demo with one student beside me.

SPRINGTIME in Hillston, blossoms all along the front of the library

Hillston is a pretty town, lovely old original shop fronts

the op shop - front and back, which looks out onto the Lachlan River

Had a terrible chinese meal from the RSL club across the road from my motel, the only place to eat really.

KIDS AND DRAWINGS  - all as wonderful as ever

]

I GOT TO

SIT IN THE

SPECIAL

CHAIR

:0)

end of the day 

After the last session i drove to Goolgowi where the motel keeper, a chatty country lady, big Collingwood supporter :0) presented me with complimentary piccolo chardie on arrival and i sat in the late afternoon sun reviewing the days photos.  a nice end to a busy day.

next day at goolgowi school it was dress up day.  a lovely little school with acres of green grounds and big old trees.  lucky kids!

GOOLGOWI PUBLIC SCHOOL

THE BOY ON THE RIGHT was a funny kid, dressed as matilda in the most casual throw-on way :0). he was a great little character

Then on to Rankins Springs about 3/4 hr away. 
more great kids and drawings.

first ever twin cats in rankins springs workshop

the drive home was golden, wattle in full bloom on both sides of the road as well as canola fields as far as the eye could see. an overnighter in shepparton then a leisurely op shopping drive next day - home around 4. and the car started perfectly every morning in frosty conditions.  the trip was  tiring but good and i've made enough to pay for the new doors and windows which trent finished off while i was away.  they look great and the work to get the studio organised has begun.