With Ash in Sydney, we have changed course. The next stop was to Mildura for him to do some fruit-picking, and then into the desert. However, Carmel and I still want him to come with us, so we are staying within a one day car drive of Sydney waiting for him to get tired of trying to leave on his own. We are moving up north and are now thinking of Cooktown and the Daintree, rather than Uluru. Here is our travel pattern so far.
Sun 7 June – Well, the great journey has become odd now. On Friday Ash walked off to Barooga dissatisfied with our trip itinerary – he fancied that we were about to return home. He called me a bit later to say he had met up with some people and was off to get free pizza at a closing down party of a pub. On Saturday morning he called to say he would be back soon and on Saturday afternoon when called he said he was on a train back to Sydney! So Sunday morning I had myself, the dog and the caravan in Wodonga, Carmel in Canberra finally finished her work, and Ashleigh in Sydney. Without a clear direction, I sought divine assistance.
The local church in Wodonga is quite lovely inside being mostly woodwork – red river gum and (black) petrified wood trim.
Anyway, after mass, I was delighted to have Carmel join me, so at least the family was not so spread out. Ash claims he wants a chance to prove that he can go to school and get an afternoon job and support himself, so we decided to give me a chance. We are grateful for local friends who are keeping an eye on him. I personally hope he will return and join us in a few days.
The hat I received as a farewell present from work seems to be very popular. It is a beauty, made of crocodile skin. I keep having to take it back.
It looks like I need to get used to the hat with corks!
Thanks to my mother for this delightful picture of me doing homework while on holidays.
I also note in the background the very practical fly net on the straw hat. I wonder if I’ll be needing those on this trip.
