Some thoughts about writing, retirement and travel
Autumn leaves in Bright, Victoria
I haven’t had much time recently to add more posts here on this site. If you’ve missed me, my apologies.
Like many “retired” people I find that life can get very hectic when one is cut loose from the demands and discipline of fronting up to a job on a daily basis. I seem to be everyone’s target for calling on to do extra things. I guess I was also far more disciplined in my working years, and only took on those activities I knew I could handle – most of the time.
There is also the matter of advancing years. I find that physical tasks often take far more time to complete these days. Strange phenomenon that one. In retirement I also find many more interesting things to distract me, where I was far more focussed when I was working.
I have managed to clear the decks somewhat in the coming months, so I can hopefully devote far more time to my writing for the rest of the year, including this site and my other sites as well. That’s the plan anyway; I hope it pans out as planned.
I see only one major obstacle: our desire to travel.
My wife and I recently enjoyed our first long caravan holiday in many years. We were delighted to visit Mt Beauty and Bright in the Victorian high country. The amazing display of autumn leaves left us wanting to stay much longer. Then we spent a few days bush camping in the Barmah Forest near Echuca. We started to question our lifestyle. We concluded that we could – like many retirees – become accustomed to being itinerants, moving around and exploring the wonders of this beautiful country of ours.
Autumn leaves in Mt Beauty, Victoria
Mt Beauty, Victoria
This is interesting. Many people seem to be affected this way. Maybe it depends on what you did with the rest of your life. When Jan and I were first married we lived in 9 homes in 11 years. We were working with a parachurch group and in one particular year I was in 4 states in 5 months. After the kids were born we slowed down and settled. But still I had a commute right across Sydney to work, which also included travelling extensively around Sydney. Now I’m enjoying not having to get up and go anywhere. I am enjoying the garden, the local birds and making things in the shed. It’s hard to take a table saw on the road!
Thanks for the comments, Ken.
Church work is actually taking up far more of my time than is normally the case. For 18 months we have been without a pastor, so, as the senior Elder, quite a few extra tasks come my way. We are hopeful (and praying) that this scene will change for the better early next year.
I also love the benefit of lingering a little longer in bed on these cold chilly mornings – we haven’t had any frosts – yet! And the temptation of stoking up the fire on cold evenings and losing oneself in a book is stronger than ever.
I won’t mention the state of the garden. (Good intentions just don’t cut it, I’ve found.)
Hi Trevor – stumbled across more of your photos when I was looking for some autumn images of Bright for church. I was interested to read your blog, and then started looking at some dates on the comments. We were over there last year, in the Term 1 school holidays, for a couple of nights, and absolutely loved the area. My husband (David) is from Bendigo, but we had not been to Bright before. We’re hoping to fit in a bit of time over that way again this year. Hope you’ve been able to find a pastor this year. Will pray for that as well.
Hi Lorraine,
Thanks for visiting my site and for leaving your comments. It was our first visit to Bright and Mt Beauty – but not our last, I hope. While there we actually started dreaming – and looking in real estate office windows at houses for sale. Bit beyond our budget, I’m afraid – though if we had combined funds with friends who came with us…
Still, I doubt if I’d stand the cold winters. We get heavy frosts here; snow would be too much to take.
My workload has lessened in the last month. Our new pastor started a month ago and has been well received. Over the last year our church has bucked the trend in most places, with average weekly attendance rising from 80-85 up to 100-120. Very encouraging. We must be doing something right – wish I knew what – I would bottle it and sell it, raising funds for the new roof needed asap (every shower outside results in showers inside!)
Hi Lorraine – again,
I hope you get this message. Ken Maynard is trying to get in contact with you and David – see his comment below.
I have sent him your email address – I hope this is okay.
Hi Trevor
I would be grateful if you could assist me in contacting David and Lorraine who’s reply is above I, went to their wedding in October 1973 (4) ? and had lost contact David and I lived a house in Fisher Street Fullarton 1n the early 70s
Regards
Ken Maynard
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your message – I have sent you an email privately just in case Lorraine does not get my message above. This might happen if she has not subscribed to comments.
I hope that you can catch up with your friends.
Hi Trevor – yes, that was ok – Ken has e-mailed us (received this morning), and David has replied. I hear the sounds of SA shrinking just a little more! Amazing what Mr Google can do.