How to sneak back into Heavenly Beverley for a couple of nights....

We were meant to be on the road for another four days. But we have crept home for two nights of rest and relaxation. This morning, we were in Coolgardie. We were supposed to be camping tonight at Cave Hill. And going on to Hyden tomorrow. And ending up in our last stop, the Dryandra Art, Food and Wine Trail over the coming weekend. But like life, travel plans are subject to change.

Michael woke up this morning feeling really unwell. Nausea, reflux and diarrhoea reduced his enjoyment to zero. What had caused these symptoms? Who knows. He thought the water in Coolgardie may have upset him. But he didn't think he would be up to camping another night in the bush in the state he was in. Camping is not fun if you're sick.

Fair enough. We reviewed our itinerary. We were within striking distance of home. Nobody else needed to know except for Sancia, our housesitter and Michelle, our gallery sitter. We contacted these two ladies covertly and swore them to secrecy. And Lorna as well, because she's Sancia's Mum and I had lost Sancia's mobile number.

And so we've returned home. Temporarily. Because we came in via the Mawson Road, we didn't come through the main drag's eyes and ears. Very satisfactory way to return incognito. Absolutely no need to disguise Kermit with a false moustache and funny glasses.

We haven't told Vanessa we're here as we still need her to housesit, dogsit, catsit and birdsit this weekend. And we have bought her a couple of lovely gifts in anticipation of her help.We fully intend to be in Narrogin for the entirety of the Art, Food and Wine Trail. And stay at Bella's Country Place Bed and Breakfast, for some added luxury. And enjoy every second.

We intend to immerse ourselves in this event in one of our close neighbouring towns. Narrogin has a vibrant arts community and we want to connect with them as ourselves and as the East End Gallery. We just need to regroup and recharge before we go away again. Maybe we are getting old...

Postscript:

We have been home for twenty-six hours. We slept for over twelve of them. I think we were both a wee bit tired! Note to selves - we may need to have serious rethink of scale and speed of next expedition. Moving every night for the first five nights was not fun. Just exhausting and relentless.

Michael has already launched himself into researching Eulaminna/ Anaconda/ Murrin Murrin for our next trip. There is so much to see and explore that we are planning to camp in our favourite site and stay for at least seven days.

In the meantime, I am sorting my way through a mountain of washing before we depart for Narrogin in the morning. Vanessa has arrived to look after the house and us. She is currently giving Michael a pedicure and pampering. We're off in the morning to Narrogin, as long as he is well.

Tally ho! A snippet of our trip.