In case you’re wondering. Yes, that really is my hammock and that’s where it hangs. And I can hear it calling me.
It’s not where I live all the time, but a weekend (or sometimes longer) retreat in rural NSW. This is Doc’s favourite place in the whole world, and where he goes to get away from everything and everybody. Since we’ve been together it’s become our place to get away from it all (when we’re not travaelling elsewhere in Australia that is). Water comes from rainwater tanks Doc put up, and there’s no electricity apart from two small solar panels on the roof for lighting so of course no television. But the view is spectacular.
While we go there to relax, it seems there’s always some maintenance work to do. And when you work for yourself you never truly get away from work. Modern technology means I take my work with me. But really, is there a better office? If you see a reference to the Farm in this blog, that’s it.
As it says at the top of the site, this blog is all about me and my life. Maybe I have narcissistic tendencies, or maybe it’s just that I paid attention to writing lesson 101 – write what you know.
Of course, as with everybody, there are other people who feature in the blog, particularly Doc, my partner. There’s also my three children (aged 23, 22 and 21 as at the end of 2012), and Doc’s children 30, 29, 28 and 18 year olds. If you’ve been following the blog you’ll know that the 18 year old used to live with us, but has now moved out. There’s also a 7 year old who lives with his mother). It’s a complicated family structure with not only mine and his, but also his ex’s who still call him Dad. As of January 2013 there’s also our first grandchild – Mason Leroux.
Of course, there are assorted other characters who I come across either in my daily life or in our travels.
I started off this blog giving people pseudonyms in a (probably futile) effort to respect their privacy, but I find more and more people are not only agreeing to be identified but seem to be eager to be. I hope that’s a recognition of the quality of the blog rather than them expecting nobody will read it!
Our travels feature heavily, probably because we do a lot of it. It’s one of the reasons I’ve given up the daily 8-6 grind to work for myself – the flexibility to have a much better work-life balance and spend more time exploring Australia. The majority of photos on the site are taken by me in our travels, and most are for sale if you want them. Some are on an exclusive basis, others available as prints only or framed. If you see something you really like, contact me about it. Just remember to tell me exactly where you saw it so I can be sure I get the right photo.
While Doc and I love to pack up the the Cruiser, throw in the swag (though we swapped this for a roof top tent for our latest trip), and take off, lately I’ve been going with a girlfriend. The Two Sheilas in a Ute adventures began with a trip to Broken Hill and we’re now planning Uluru and the Gulf Country. I can’t wait!
I might be earning a lot less money than when I was working full time, but it’s worth it, though if anybody wants to help pay me pay my blils I’m taking offers.
I love my life and I really do feel like I have it all!