Finding peace

A dog creates, transcribes, a new landscape for you.   Rick Bass, Colter: The True Story of the Best Dog I Ever Had

Jac does make travel different to travelling alone.  It means I am on the lookout for interesting places to walk and explore, where she can sniff and get excited about all the smells.  Where she can run ahead of me, nose to the ground with that happy tail waving in the air.  And that was the case even though this time I did the trip to Canberra in one day.  It was surprisingly easy.  Canberra accommodation was in a spacious townhouse: Cosy Duplex in Dickson. Great location opposite the Dickson shops, with a Woollies and so many restaurants, mainly Asian, so had a good dumpling dinner one night.  Accommodation was okay, basic facilities, good yard for Jac and comfortable bed.  

Jac behaved well as always, came into work with me which she loves, although on the Friday was a bit put out because we were joined by a retriever pup belonging to one of the team up there, so she was not the centre of attention.  From the unit, there was a good place to walk her along the canal, through an avenue of trees to a huge oval and a small lake area, all off leash.  It's getting cold and I was worried about how she would cope with the freezing temperatures in Canberra so did something I never thought I would do and bought her a coat.  

She actually seems to like it, and it made me feel better taking her out in the freezing morning to get rid of some of her energy before we went to work.

With the end of daylight saving, the sun is starting to set quite early so by the time we got back from work and went for a walk it was starting to get dark, that gave us the opportunity to enjoy the fading light and sunsets.  

Drove up to Sydney to see Em and go with her to hear Julia Gillard interviewed by Laura Tingle as part of the Sydney Writers Festival.  Julia was funny, thoughtful and so much more relaxed than when she was Prime Minister - wonder why?  Before that went with Em to Barangaroo for a craft market, and I loved Barangaroo, such a beautiful spot along the water with old buildings built against exposed rock walls.   I love the way we have discovered our waterways and make features of them.

 


















Had a happy experience in Sydney, had been walking Jac while Em and Sean were out and walking back near their house there is an Italian restaurant called Lucio's.  One of those good Italian places, beautiful fresh food and the owner and staff all speaking Italian.  Anyway they had a table outside and Lucio was out the front.  I asked if I could sit at the table and said I just fancied a salad and a glass of wine.  So had one of those classic Italian salads, rocket, radicchio, mozzarella, oil, olives and a glass of white wine.  Was so lovely, sitting in the sun, chatting to passers by and when I went in to pay he would not take my money.   There is good in the world.  

On the way back fancied a bit of nostalgia so stayed in Rutherglen, lovely little dog friendly cottage: Must Love Dogs.  Lovely courtyard, no kitchen, but comfortable bed, self contained with a small living room and absolutely one of the best baths I have had and a delightfully quirky shower.

Stopped at Morris winery then All Saints and stocked up on Muscat and Tokay which is apparently another name we may not be able to continue to use.  

Called in at home for a quick stop then off to Geelong for a 3 day workshop.  Booked what looked like a very quirky Prayag, unique experience in Geelong.  It's in an old paper mill, so along the river and has beautiful old buildings of stone and brick.  One of them is now a winery Provenance wines and there is also a cafe/gallery/music venue.  And so many walks - along fairy rock paths along the river to a big cleared area with lots of dog walkers and along the Moorabool River.  It was the most interesting Air BnB I have stayed at.  The unit itself had stunning rock walls, a coonara wood heater, and another little courtyard. It had an aura of peace, calm and creativity about it.

One of the river walks, the dam construction was for the Paper Mill

Winery

The rock walk

I had to leave Jac in the unit as I did not feel comfortable taking her into the workshop, but she managed, we walked for an hour each morning and again in the evening, on the last day I did ask if I could bring her in as we were checking out - and she was her usual well behaved self, just sitting by people and waiting for them to pat her.  The workshop itself was interesting, on what could have been a most boring topic of audits, but the trainer did a brilliant job at keeping us all on our toes, with lots of activities.  Did watch the budget coverage and Shorten's speech in reply which I thought was spot on.  Just wish they would agree to increase New Start and I would be happy.

Caught the ferry over to Sorrento and spent the night at Rye.  Had been a bit worried because the weather was stormy but it was fine, and Jac coped with the noises and swaying of the ferry okay.  Back home because my new lounge furniture was being delivered...   

This trip, even though I revisited an old haunt and went to All Saints and Morris wineries, I felt peace.  We went there first in the days when we would taste every wine from the sparkling to the ports and would be quite pissed after just a couple of wineries.  We'd lay on the banks of the Murray and sleep and we danced naked in the Chiltern Forest where we camped. That was before I went tasting with Val who showed me how to just focus on one wine like a shiraz and only taste that. 

I feel the circle is turning and I can see the past and appreciate it while I experience the present and be in this moment and find the joy in that.  The space away from Oswin St has allowed me to put things in perspective and avoid being so hurt by his family.  I feel incredibly fortunate that I have good friends who stand by me and allow me to vent about  every now and then, which also helps get it into perspective, but more on that next blog.

Staying put with Jac

As noted in the last blog, Jac and me are in Canberra for an extended stay.  It's work related but we have an air b n b that is more or less dog friendly.  If the dog was a wanderer it would not work, but for me and Jack it's fine.

Jac doesn't wander, she likes to stay close to me and the car, so I don't need an enclosed yard.  I can just open the door here and she wanders over to the garden, has a pee or whatever and wanders back in.  Generally she finds a cosy spot under my feet or on the bed.  She likes to indulge herself.  Although, unlike me, food does not have to part of her indulgence.  She is the fussiest eater in the world.  So I cook chicken for her, sometimes with a bit of pasta, sometimes a bit of carrot or kale.  Although if I don't cut the carrot up into teeny tiny pieces she will take it out and leave it by her dish.  I like to think of her as a bit of a gourmet traveller.  But sometimes despite my dedicated cooking she still turns her nose up, walks away leaving the lumps of chicken lying forlornly in their dish.

Canberra is a much maligned place, and yes, in the past I have been a part of the maligner bunch.  But spending time here does mean it grows on you.  The place we are staying in is nothing short of weird.  the home of embassies, so huge houses with long long driveways, guard boxes, flags everywhere and Federal police permanently stationed at each end of the street.  Could be because we are across the road from the Iraq embassy, the Arab Emirates, Turkish and the Kuwait Embassy.  Sensitive I imagine.  Disconcerting though.  

Lots of walking, managed 5 kilometres the other day in between work and eating.  I got myself one of those doovylackers that counts steps and kilometres.  It's been interesting to see that I get caught up in wanting to achieve the target I have set, so it does encourage me to walk more.


Jac behaves very differently walking through the bush, constantly on alert, looking around her, testing every bush and stopping at every strange noise.  Going into her pointer pose when she spies kangaroos off in the distance.  There is a nature reserve across the road where we walk most days.  And it is the home of kangaroos, counted 24 once on one of our morning walks.  They are funny creatures, stopping to watch with their ears cocked when we walk past, hopping slowly away if we get too close.  Also the home of snakes - two people have told me about their dogs discovering snakes in their backyard recently, one where her two dogs played tug of war with the snake and tore it in half, then the head half reared up ready to attack.  freaky freaky..... So I worry about her going off too much into the bush and I am hyper vigilant about snakes with her around but, touch wood, no threat of them yet.


Speaking of eating - weren't you?  Snapper in Yarralumla, fish and chips and wine or beer by the shores of the lake.  Not just dog friendly but dog welcoming.  As are most places here, very dog friendly city, all the ovals are off leash areas and very few signs around saying no dogs.  

What adds to the enjoyment of Canberra is having friends here, Ol who used to work with and her delightful family, who are always so welcoming and who look after Jac on the days when I can't take her to work with me.  Although when I drop her off it feels a bit like taking a child to childcare, I get a bit peeved when she wanders in happily and doesn't sulk when I leave.  We went together to a perfect river swimming spot less than 30 minutes away Uriana - sandy beaches, trees, green grass, shallow water and then deep swimming hole.  Heaven.  Dogs everywhere, noses up bums, Jack gets a bit touchy if that goes on too long and will give a 'excuse me did I give you permission to stick your nose there' snap if they spend too long on the sniff.  Pete drove us up to the Mt Stromlo Observatory, great views and would love to do one of the night star spotting tours, next time ...

I was lucky enough to be here for the Hot air Ballon festival and doubly lucky that the morning I decided to get up at dawn so I could watch them launch was a good weather day.  They are tetchy things these hot air balloons and won't take off if it's too windy, raining or the sky doesn't look right.  But I picked the right day.  There were around 30 balloons and it was quite magical, blowing them up with the hot air and watching them silently taking off with just that occasional whoosh whoosh as the flame goes up.

My favourite balloon

And the 'tree library' as Ol's daughter described the Arboretum.  Whenever I see old trees, particularly slow growing ones I think what foresight the people had who planted them, often knowing they would never live to enjoy the full splendour, to rest in the shade of branches that spread out or marvel at the height and width.  The Arboretum was established after the last Canberra fires and aims to have trees from all over the world.  It was windy and blustery the day we went up there but we sheltered in a grove of old cedars. I think it's the Swedish who talk about the health benefits of forest bathing and it is so true.  Time spent wandering through tall trees or even the rugged bush that you find in a lot of the nature reserves here is good for the soul.

The other good part about Canberra, for me anyway,  is Parliament.  As a good Labor supporter and, of course, a feminist, I was delighted when my time here coincided with an Emily's List function with Tanya Plibersek.  So Ol and I went along, I had to join a huge long queue to get through security, then we had to wait to be picked up to be taken to the Labor Senate Caucus room.  Seemed appropriate it was the same day that Christine Keneally made her first speech.  Ged Kearney put in an appearance and I felt incredibly proud to be part of a party that has now almost 50% representation of women in the lower house and 67% in the Senate.  And what good women - Ann Ali, Tanya of course, now Ged, Penny Wong, Linda Burney, the list goes on and on. 

Joined in the refugee rally as well.  Was quite impressed with how it was organised, with the different groups gathering together, then marching individually to the square and being announced and applauded as they arrived.  Not like the rabble in Melbourne.  No Grandmothers Against the Detention of Refugee Children so we joined the Labor Left but then saw my favourite banner - The Vintage Reds which would have been much more fitting.

Em and Sean were in Canberra as well fleetingly so had a catch up with them and Joe which was good.  So it was a pleasant way to spend a few weeks and I can understand the appeal of Canberra.  But a long way from home and the grandkids.  

Canberra, lake swimming and casual eating

Next day headed to Canberra for work, but was very tired.  Had booked in again at The Annexe.  Dealing with the funeral did bring back a lot of stuff for me, so it was good to arrive somewhere quiet, familiar and safe, allowing time to think and integrate my feelings so I could go to work happily.   

Canberra was sooo hot, close to 40 each day.  But The Annexe is a lovely green oasis that is shaded and cool.  Nothing like a green lawn and large shady trees to help you cope with the heat.  It is opposite a chain of ovals and parklands so I walked Jac in the morning before work while it was still cool, through ovals and shaded walking paths.   She got to run with a few dogs so she was happy and no rabbits for her to kill so I was happy.

Part of our early morning walks

We were close to the Manuka shops so tried out a few different cafes for dinner and one night went to the very strange Kingston Portside area.  Strange because one doesn't expect to sit by the water to eat in Canberra with boats going by.  Strange also because it is surrounded by blocks and blocks of new apartments.  Jac wasn't impressed, didn't like walking along the water at all, but we did sit and have dinner.   One evening we drove up to Red Hill lookout which has a perfect place to watch the sunset, looking out over the Great Dividing range.  We saw a few kangaroos (maybe wallabies) which seemed to mesmerise Jac, but luckily she made no attempt to chase them.

View from Red Hill Lookout

Friday I had some disturbing news which shook me a bit, about people delving into mine and Erwin's background, for what purpose I don't know, but it made me feel somewhat vulnerable.  And it was hot.  After debriefing with my ever present friend Annie, who deals with my angst constantly and along with some of my other friends, helps me put things in perspective,  I was still quite shaken.  Thank goodness for good friends and my two delightful daughters and their families who help keep me sane.  Wonder what people do who don't have that support when they are dealing  with behaviour that seems quite crazy and inexplicable.  While, on the one hand I can se it as completely bizarre and weird, on the other hand, because it is so personal and intrusive,  I can see how it would cause you to unravel .  However I plan to stay quite ravelled, with a little help from my friends.

I had planned to go into work but decided I needed some space so I could do the phone meetings I had while sitting by the lake. Went to a very dog friendly spot on Lake Burley Griffin, set up my folding chair under the shade of a weeping willow tree and sat and worked looking out on the lake.  I even braved a swim in the Lake, there is a particular spot in Yarralumla set up for swimming with diving/jumping platforms.  It was a perfect day and I felt refreshed and energised.

View from my office for the day

On the weekend we moved in with a friend Ol, who I had worked with for a number of years and who has moved to Canberra.  She is a gentle but strong soul with an equally gentle husband and a beautiful garden, where I always feel so comfortable.  Luckily Jac gets on well with her delightful little dog, Clancy, which means they simply walk around each other and largely ignore each other.  Clancy is the funniest little dog who talks when he wants to be fed.  Canberra for me previously has been a bit of a rushed trip where I have occasionally managed to get to the gallery or Parliament House.  It was lovely to explore the place with Ol, going to the Portrait Gallery - stunning, and the Library which had a most amazing and moving photo exhibition by Peter Dombrovski who took the iconic photo that helped motivate people to save the Franklin River.  It reminded me how important  it is for your health to immerse yourself in nature, and I realised that, to some extent, that's what I have been doing.

Jac in Lake Burley Griffin

Life felt a little normal when I met up with one of Erwin's grandchildren and went for a walk with her and her husband around the lake.  I had a relationship with all of Erwin's children over 40 years, visiting them and having them stay at our house, it's been strange to lose contact with them since Erwin died.  I felt they were part of our lives over such a long time and meeting up with the granddaughter helped me continue that connection.  

While I enjoy travelling alone, spending time with Ol was lovely and exploring places to walk and eat.  The highlight for me was the Southern Cross Yacht Club on the lake at Yarralumla where one can buy fish and chips and wine and sit to eat by the lake.  Perfect place for dogs, children and older women like us.  It was dusk and there were bats flying overhead, and resting in the trees above us, which created some alert about bats urinating on our food.  While I was with the granddaughter we did have a magpie who dropped a pooh in her water....  Sure that's a sign of good fortune.  Have to admit this time I loved Canberra, as well as swimming in the lake and exploring with Ol, finding the walking tracks behind Ol's house was another blessing.  Can walk up onto a ridge with a view of the mountains and walk for kilometres through bush.  I walked 4 ks one day without even realising it.

So ever onward and making myself look forward to what life can offer in the future and try to remove myself from the craziness of others.  Next blog is about our return trip via Falls Creek where we spent many years skiing in winter and walking the High Plains in summer.

Saying goodbye to the old and trying out the new

This trip is about doing things a little differently.  One of my cousins said doing things differently to how they have done before, is a sign of respect to those we have lost.  So I have respected the bloke by sharing Christmas with Em in Sydney instead of under the ti trees at Rye. One of our New Year traditions for many years was to watch the sunset at Mt Mckay in Falls Creek.  The different shades of blue and grey over the never-ending mountain ranges was magical and was a perfect way to see out the year.  I didn't go back to Falls Creek.  However I felt an urge to revisit the sunset over the mountains, so went to Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains area.  Different, we had passed through years ago but never stopped there.  So a sense of looking back to a time we shared and a tradition we both loved but in a place newly discovered.

Two stand outs from the Sydney to Jindabyne trip was the Elling Forest winery and Grandmas Cafe.  The winery is a perfect dog stop, abut an hour out of Sydney, has a little pond with large ducks, lots of space to wander around, a cafe and wine tasting - what else could a woman and her dog ask for?  The bloke offering the tasting had a rescue dog himself and we had a good chat about dogs and breeds as well as tasting some good whites - that were bio dynamic which must be good for you.  Grandma's cafe on the road into Canberra was notable for very different reasons.  Looked lovely, good outside area looking over the Olive Groves, but as we were walking up to the tables a gun went off, which completely freaked Jac out - she gets skittish when men are playing soccer in the park with the whistles and yelling.  She settled down enough for me to go in and order but then the gun went off again and again she freaked out - the waitress explained it was an air gun and was set to go off intermittently.  I drank the coffee quickly and i have never seen Jac so keen to get into the car.  The gun went off again as we were leaving and she jumped over into he front seat and then got down into the gap between the front seat and the engine.  Took her a while to stop trembling and move back to her seat in the back.

The Air BnB in East Jindabyne was advertised as  Motel Style Accommodation.  Another case of not making judgements too soon, walked into the room and was struck by it's 'compactness' just enough room for a bed, a chair and a small fridge, with a very compact bathroom, cosy definitely.  But large windows and another door opening out on to a balcony where I could take a deep breath and look out over Lake Jindabyne. 

Yep, that's the view from the balcony

Then a common area with a touch I loved - a stove top espresso maker, none of those incredibly environmentally unfriendly capsules.  Would be very cosy in winter if going up for the snow.  Explored East Jindabyne following a sign saying public lake access, leading to a drivable track which followed the lake around to a sandy beach, with people and dogs. Jac had her up to the tummy paddle and waited patiently at the shoreline while I swam out.  

Next day was New Years Eve. Went to the Tourist Information place to ask about off leash bush type walks.  The very helpful (not) person, first told me about an on leash area, but when I said I wanted off leash, told me about two walks; one from Claypits and one from Cobbin Cres but said firstly that there'd be lots of boats and people at Claypits, then  wouldn't recommend the Cobbin Cres walk to the damn wall because of the number of cyclists, and watch out for snakes.  First went to Claypits, walked about 2 ks, although you can drive a bit further and come out at the sailing club where I finished up.  It was quiet and peaceful. Jac paddled, I swam in beautiful clear water accessed from another sandy beach area, then sat on the rocks in the sun.  The peace was broken when a couple of cars pulled up and out came: two dogs, a never ending supply of rubber sailing things, a marquee, a dozen folding chairs, several ESKYs and a mob of people.  I left when they turned on the motor to blow up all the rubber things and walked back to Claypits.  

One of the challenges with shopping when you travel wiht a dog is what to do with the dog.  I get a little nervous tying her up outside a supermarket because as you might have picked up she reacts badly to different noises.  It was early enough before the heat kicked in, so I parked in the shade put the windows half down and tackled the supermarket.  She didn't seem too worried and I had the security of knowing she could not get out of the car.   Tried the Cobbin Cres walk, follows the lake edge through variety of vegetation, open areas and bush.  Yes there were cyclists, over the 3 ks we came across at least 4.  However, unlike in the city where there is not a lot of tolerance on shared paths, here there was quite an acceptance that it was a shared path and no one complained, they thanked me if I heard them and got Jac off the path and one who had to dodge around her actually said - 'well the dog's got as much right to be here as I have'.  It had warmed up by then, Jac doesn't like the heat and kept making for shady spots where she would wait for me to catch up.  The walk is a return along the same track and ending up back at the beach area and this time Jac actually swam so she must have felt a bit hot.  The good thing about that was that it actually cleaned her, unlike being in the beach, so did throw her in for another paddle to help with that process and then we sat on the rocks in the sun again for a while.  

New Years Eve, a salad on the balcony, a few chats with the other stayers at the Motel Style Accommodation, including lovely young woman who spent her New Years Eve doing the 18k walk up Mt Kozsiusko.  And I felt good about walking 6ks on a mostly flat track!   Anyway found a place just above the accommodation which was a perfect sunset watching spot and went up there with Jac, a candle and a piccolo of Prosecco. A passing dog walker explained that the strange stone circle was the left over of a house that had been burnt out.  Jac thought I was a little crazy and just sat quietly by the car while I lit the candle and drank the Prosecco, sang a few songs, off key, of course and watched the sun set over the mountains.  And that was the end of our 2017.  I was glad I was on my own as it allowed me to give in to being a little maudlin and talked to the bloke, asking him why he did what he did. I was comforted by running texts from Em about their New Years with Bec and the boys.  It felt right, a bit sad, a bit marking the change in years, the loss of the bloke, the change in my life and the journey in front of me.  One of the things i had done in Sydney was to catch up with one of Erwin's sons and his wife and that seemed so right, being able to reminisce, share our memories and hear what was happening with them, gave me a sense of holding on to the connections we had while still looking to a different way of living.  

Trip to Canberra included another encounter with an animal - an echidna this time which Jac was quite wary of.  

An Air BnB in Canberra, Luxury Garden Studio, which it was.  In Red Hill, lots of green, large house, large blocks.  Beautifully self contained and thoughtful touches everywhere, from the crockery, to the furnishings, the bathroom with walk in shower and the private deck with table and chairs.  Jac was at home straight away and not even keen to walk in the park across the road.  Wouldn't recommend though if dog was a wanderer, Jac's not - she likes to stay close by, the yard was not secured, so okay for us but not for all.  Good base to go to work from, Jac is so good coming to work with me, sits quietly under the desk except when there is someone who wants to pat her.  Then the trip home.