Heavenly Beverley : ALL Systems Are GO.

Sunday 9 October 2016

ALL Systems Are GO.

For a variety of reasons, we have been unable to travel to our beloved Goldfields for over twelve months. Cold weather, medical appointments, a hospital admission and lack of money have all contributed to putting the kybosh on a great escape. Until now.

Nothing that much has actually changed. We remain chronically short of money, often playing what I refer to as "bills' roulette" (which outgoings can I pay this fortnight?). Michael still has a lingering chest infection, the weather is chaotic and changeable and there is always the ongoing quest to have the House that Rocks and the East End Gallery baby-sat.

Yet we are going. Vicky is looking after our home and continuing her passionate affair with Pip the Jack Russell. Red the Pirate Parrot will ask her completely inappropriately to "give us a kiss", Sascha will totter around on her elderly legs and Ruby (now much better) has begun her appalling habits again. Even Madam Cat has a grudging affection for Miss Vicky, allowing herself to be stroked by the Interloper.

The awesome Lynn Isaacs, who doesn't think she is an artist (she is), will be looking after our beloved Gallery. She is currently lapping up the warmth and spectacle of the Goldfields, doing us a very large favour by finishing her holiday in order to open the Gallery for us.

Michael's vascular specialist has given him the All Clear, for a month at least. Then, regular ultrasounds will be the order of the day to keep an eye on Michael's troublesome arteries. In the meantime, we will enjoy the opportunity for daily walking, which both of us need to undertake to regain some vim, vigor, and vitality.

We did have a week off in July but that now seems a distant memory and certainly wasn't long enough to unwind. In fifteen minutes, I will be closing the Gallery, hurtling home and carrying on with the preparations. I have restocked and reorganised the food hamper, the utensils hamper, the linen, towels and odds and ends hamper, the snacks bag, the sleeping bags and pillows box and unearthed the washing up bowl, trusty kettle, and the camp oven. Our vast drug supplies and toiletries bag are sorted. I still have to pack our clothes, check the glove box, find our hats and clean the esky. That will be the last item to place into the back of Kermit bright and early on Tuesday morning.

Michael's jobs include the Arrangement of both Kermit and the Trusty Trailer. We have decided to leave Roger the motorbike at home to make room for other items, such as additional rusty metal. We have our drinking water, vino, cool drinks and washing water all ready to be positioned. The gazebo, tent, stretcher bed, mattress, chairs, table , gas stove and cylinder have to be carefully and logically placed. Then our canvas cover goes over the top, with the vain hope that some of the Goldfields red dust will actually be kept at bay from our belongings.

And we are excited. Michael is so looking forward to turning Kermit eastwards. I am looking forward to doing nothing if I so choose (which is not my style). We are both looking forward to glorious Goldfields' dawns and sunsets. Not to mention the fossicking. And the freedom. But not the flies. does anybody like flies?

Tomorrow is Departure Day minus one. Roll on Tuesday.