The weekend before the weekend you move
by prudence on 09-Oct-2011
Weekends are very functional at the moment, I have to admit. Not fun. There's a lot to organize before moving from Australia, and it's hard work -- messy, fiddly, tedious work, for the most part.
That's why small things are important. Saturday was a day of loading our remaining books into boxes to take to charity outlets, emailing people about other stuff to dispose of, wiping computers to get ready to sell, and sorting -- endlessly, endlessly, endlessly sorting...
But it was also a day with a nice conversation with the purchaser of our camping equipment. A day with the sound of blackbirds carolling away in the trees above the intersection where the first charity shop was unexpectedly closed. A day with a luxury cold chocolate drink from Max Brenner.
Such moments are worth a fortune at present.
Then yesterday, we had breakfast by the sea, at Growlers in Torquay. Terrible weather -- intermittent rain, and a strong cold wind. But the brekkie was great (stack of mushrooms, spinach, thick slice of feta, grilled tomatoes, two poached eggs -- a very good combo), and the views were awesome. Bright blue sea, striped with white breakers, and flecked with windsurfers. Bright green grass, studded with Norfolk Island pines...
We checked out Anglesea, where we began our Winter 08 Great Ocean Road journey in the time-honoured way -- with egg sandwiches. It's still as pretty as ever down there by the river.
And on the way back to duty and Melbourne, we called in at the You Yangs, the amazing granite sticky-up bits between Geelong and the city. There are wonderful views from the top, and as soon as you're away from the picnic ground, where snarlers are being barbied en masse for some lucky littlie's birthday party, the woods are quiet and bird-filled.
Rounded off Sunday with early dinner with friends. Their four- and two-year-olds remind you of what really matters in life -- people who love you, stuff to eat, and Bob the Builder.
I loved today -- it turned me temporarily back from fretful dispatch person to human being.
That's why small things are important. Saturday was a day of loading our remaining books into boxes to take to charity outlets, emailing people about other stuff to dispose of, wiping computers to get ready to sell, and sorting -- endlessly, endlessly, endlessly sorting...
But it was also a day with a nice conversation with the purchaser of our camping equipment. A day with the sound of blackbirds carolling away in the trees above the intersection where the first charity shop was unexpectedly closed. A day with a luxury cold chocolate drink from Max Brenner.
Such moments are worth a fortune at present.
Then yesterday, we had breakfast by the sea, at Growlers in Torquay. Terrible weather -- intermittent rain, and a strong cold wind. But the brekkie was great (stack of mushrooms, spinach, thick slice of feta, grilled tomatoes, two poached eggs -- a very good combo), and the views were awesome. Bright blue sea, striped with white breakers, and flecked with windsurfers. Bright green grass, studded with Norfolk Island pines...
We checked out Anglesea, where we began our Winter 08 Great Ocean Road journey in the time-honoured way -- with egg sandwiches. It's still as pretty as ever down there by the river.
And on the way back to duty and Melbourne, we called in at the You Yangs, the amazing granite sticky-up bits between Geelong and the city. There are wonderful views from the top, and as soon as you're away from the picnic ground, where snarlers are being barbied en masse for some lucky littlie's birthday party, the woods are quiet and bird-filled.
Rounded off Sunday with early dinner with friends. Their four- and two-year-olds remind you of what really matters in life -- people who love you, stuff to eat, and Bob the Builder.
I loved today -- it turned me temporarily back from fretful dispatch person to human being.