Heavenly Beverley : Back To Paradise

I have had a break from writing this week. We hit the ground running after our farewell to Jenny in Cooktown and precious time spent with family and friends. I have come to the conclusion that life is far too short to miss opportunities that just seem right. Wear your best knickers, eat the cake, talk, laugh and connect. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Vanessa had pulled off a monumental feat to keep Station House, garden and animals all alive and kicking. She was still delighted to welcome us back from the Deep North, commenting quite beautifully and matter-of-factly that we made the house a home.

The weekend was spent in the Gallery, as per usual. I was pleased to close on Sunday evening, but not before we launched the inaugural meeting of the Beverley Writer's Group (Country Expressions). The oppressive heat was still ever present and Station House's air-conditioned coolness revived my flagging spirits.

Our Autistic Superstar, Alex (with the faithful and fabulous support worker Pasquale providing the wheels) roared into Beverley on Monday during a break in his busy schedule. They spent a memorable few hours with us until they headed back into the sunset. He was off to a retreat to Bindoon the following day. Plus he had a regular get-together that evening. I was exhausted just listening to his plans.

Vanessa skedaddled back to the Big Smoke with us on Tuesday. Without a doubt, she was pleased to return to the beating drum of civilisation. Still ploughing through her Second Masters, she only has a couple of semesters to complete Asian Studies. Then, who knows? She still maintains the dream of teaching History.

We attended our bi-yearly appointment with the delicious Doctor Daram. Once again, I stood in front of this dashing and witty quack and heard those memorable words..."Down to your bra and knickers, Kate". *sigh*

A multitude of minor skin spots were all blasted off with a sustained spray of the liquid nitrogen. Then came the scrape of another lesion from my leg. Michael didn't escape either, enduring a local anaesthetic into his cheek with calm stoicism. I certainly didn't have his composure, bellowing like a bull, much to the amusement of Daram's reception staff on the front desk.

Wednesday was all about catching up the housework. First things first, we resumed Stretching with Janet. We were both instantly aware that two weeks off and flights in Sardine Class had not been in our best interests. Once home, I pottered inside, enjoying having the house to ourselves and actually completing all those minor tasks that tend to escape attention. Michael helped valiantly with the vacuum cleaner and I finished with a flourish of the steam mop.

Thursday began with SLAB - Stretching, Breathing and Lifting - or its alternate nom de plume SHAG - Stepping, Heaving and Groaning. Janet ran a fabulous class for one, as I was the only person who bothered to turn up on a very sticky morning. A quick shower and change in a handy phone booth and then back in the Gallery. Artists' Play Day drew two attendees for quiet reverie. Sharon Williams, Brookton artist, photographer and author produced a lovely little watercolour - her interpretation of a couple of shops. Denese also dropped into the Gallery for a chat and an instalment on her lay-by. She had chosen an exquisite pearl shell ring, the work of Margaret River silversmith Steve Pease, a month ago and has paid the balance off on a very regular basis. Next time Denese comes in, the lovely piece of jewellery will be hers.

Yesterday was a breath of fresh air, literally. A cool change removed every skerrick of humidity, much to our collective relief. The breeze lifted and the atmosphere ceased to be that of an over-warm bath. I was galvanised to give our "garden" a lift too. As of this morning, I have inspected and trimmed and dug and transplanted. The vincas still need pruning as they are beginning to break under their own weight. Now that I know that we have days of perfect autumn weather on the horizon, I can carry out this task and give all my precious plants a Seasol pick-me-up. An added spectacle was the appearance of some lemon-tinted mushrooms at the base of our frangipani. Quite unexpected and beautiful if probably a trifle deadly.

We have truly returned to Heavenly Beverley, our little piece of paradise. Until our next expedition...

Initial attendance at Country Expressions was tardy until Jan and Greg made a late entrance. Phil has been warned he will face detention if he fails to show on 14 April!