Hello again. I have written NOTHING since 27 May. Prior to leaving, I cleaned the house from top to tail for our tenants, did not prepare Chop the cat for our departure, organised, organised and re-organised all our gear multiple times.
We left home on 18 June in the mid afternoon with three months worth of Michael's Alkaline water (270 litres!) as we were unsure whether we would be able to find his water anywhere else on our travels.
We had packed plastic crates of non perishable food items and nibbles for travel, dog food and treats, clothes and footwear for the cold and the warmth, medications (including the Colostrum for my gut), toiletries, distilled water for our CPAP machines (yes, we both have these devices) two fridges with perishable food and frozen meals, solar panels, dog crate (on the roof), crockery (yes, Michael wanted ceramic plates). cutlery, all the kitchen paraphernalia small heater, pillows, sleeping bags, hand-towels, tea-towels, spare sheets and another light quilt, an ongoing tangle of cords for computers, phones, hot spots and our CPAP machines. with us, our girls Stella and Lexi and us, all crammed into 4 metre caravan called Will and Lily, our trusty 4WD.
Our first three nights were at the Midland caravan park whilst we worked out where the hell all our stuff was, picked up Michael's Polaroid multi focal glasses from our favourite optometrist, Doctor Ernie Hawes, optician Mrs Helen Hawes and other optician Duran.We also picked up a new CPAP mask for me and an adapter for our Dune fridge.
Plus a lot of tears from me. We had longed for this break for so long. I didn't realise the consequences of all that stress and anxiety I had been carrying for so long. I found myself tripping over familiar words, forgetting where I had placed items and being frightened all the time. Initially Michael was exasperated with me and slowly, he began to understand my distress. Thinking I was actually succumbing to dementia, my only option was to research what was happening to me. I discovered that I was suffering from psychological overload, which with my ADHD, was overwhelming me when I should be enjoying myself.
Our experience at Dalwallinu caravan park did not help. Dirty and badly run, we fled after two nights. We are still attempting to obtain a full refund of $110 dollars. The lessee I have discovered is not the manager. Perhaps 'silent partner' springs to mind.
Onward to Yalgoo. The caravan park here was a blast of fresh, clean and well maintained air. Even so, I was still traumatised. Yesterday was the first day I have felt better. I have also started speaking out loud where I have placed items, watching where I am going, enjoying the companionship of our dogs, Stella and Lexi, and looking at the sky and listening to the birds.
I also really loved fossicking alongside Michael for the first time.
Michael, my beloved husband, I can't thank you enough. You have ridden the wave of despair with me, coaxed me back out of my well and have gently looked after me and you are responsible for beginning to restore my self esteem and quest for happiness and hopefulness on this trip which promises to be wonderful.
Still working out how to load my photos on this new laptop, Apologies!
