"So I've fallen on my feet and no mistake"... (where is that quote from? Sounds like Enid Blyton but I can't be sure!). My first Locum has been a roaring success. It has replenished the bank account and given us
some time to just hang out.
My first week without the boys was a fairly monastic existance with a great, plant-based diet and lots of exercise. My own personal health retreat! What stands out for me was all the silence! I now know why people who live alone tend to keep the telly on for company. I missed the boys but still enjoyed the time alone. As for the work itself: it was really great to be back with patients again and my work colleagues have been just wonderful also.
My first week without the boys was a fairly monastic existance with a great, plant-based diet and lots of exercise. My own personal health retreat! What stands out for me was all the silence! I now know why people who live alone tend to keep the telly on for company. I missed the boys but still enjoyed the time alone. As for the work itself: it was really great to be back with patients again and my work colleagues have been just wonderful also.
We have spent some lovely times with Mason Roy, Joss Lewis and their daughter Koko. It's been 20 years since school, and its been so lovely to hang out, catch up and share so much common ground. They run a macadamia farm up here and Joss has a few cooking and handicraft home businesses running. The boys have loved hanging out with Koko and playing with the dogs, Bindi, Bungo and Miso. It's nice for the boys to spend some quantity time with dogs. Dom is still edgy but much less so!
Initially we were out most days fishing, unsuccessfully, until Paul finally caught a little bream from our back porch. He was too small to keep but we couldn't get the hook out. He was on the plate in about 15 minutes and tasted delicious!! Funnily enough no one has felt the compulsion so strongly to get out the rods since then! Sascha also got his first fish here - toad fishes a-plenty off our balcony. Not for eating but great for the ego to finally get something!!
We have made a single trip up to Byron Bay. Enjoying some spectacular weather, views, sunset swimming and a vegetarian feast (no shortage of real, plant-based food up here!) The kids were not very enthused about the food (curries etc), but I loved it. Especially the desert - coconut custard on a mixed berry sago! YUM!
The last phase of our trip has been based ON the Richmond river. Isaac has been saving up for a kayak for about 6 months and finally cracked his total while up here. I, also, had promised myself a kayak if I got through my GP exams, but when I actually passed I found spending the money on a kayak with the trip on the horizon impossible to do! We managed to go to BCF on the day of a 40% off kayaks sale so managed to get all the oars and lifejackets etc for less than the cost we had budgeted for the kayaks! Hurray! We have been out most days since then. I have loved a dawn paddle prior to heading off to work. Yes... it has been tough!
Work has asked me to stay and offered Paul a job too! I just asked the boys if they would like to stay and there was some small interest. Newcastle has more friends and things to do, according to them, so is still on top, although Sascha says Ballina's skate park and walks beat Newcastle's. I would have no hesitation coming back...
Work has asked me to stay and offered Paul a job too! I just asked the boys if they would like to stay and there was some small interest. Newcastle has more friends and things to do, according to them, so is still on top, although Sascha says Ballina's skate park and walks beat Newcastle's. I would have no hesitation coming back...