FUR, FEATHERS, FLOODS…AND OTHER ‘F’ WORDS

As I said in my last blog, when I set out on my travels around this beautiful country of ours, Australia, I determined to do some occasional housesitting along the way. Both for financial reasons and because I love and miss animals to be with and care for. And my first housesit was for two gorgeous wolfhounds (a boy and a girl), two chickens (chooks in Australia), a rooster, and a duck at Wollongong. Oh, and of course see to the house too. (OK,OK, you know as well as I do where  my priorities lay.)

I was lucky to find someone who also loved animals and had even rescued the chooks from factories to give them a shelter here. Only two things marred this first housesitting experience. Firstly… one of the chooks was very ill and, as I had minimal experience with chickens lately, I felt she needed to be seen by a vet. Thankfully Sonia, although overseas by now, agreed. But when I did take her, the Vet could do nothing but put her to sleep. Although this is upsetting, to me it was the best thing. I don’t believe in living if there is only pain and no quality of life. For any species.

Secondly. I had arrived just as New South Wales, and particularly the region I was in, experienced the worst weather in a decade! Heavy, torrential rains. Cyclonic winds.  Steep falls in temperature. Followed by…… widespread floods. Not once. But twice!!! The first time was for the first week of my sit. No floods at this point, but heavy incessant rain, thunder, lightning and severe winds. Luckily (yes… sarcasm. I know it’s the lowest form of wit… no I don’t care) the house is half way down a hill and not at the dip in the bottom, so we only got little streams forming…. And LOTS of mud. Thankfully (no sarcasm this time) the wonderful  

Wolfies were not a bit put out by the storms, and either stood looking with interest at the lightening display, or went to bed in boredom, waiting for better weather to play in. Actually, Wolfies enjoy colder weather and wander about in rain as if it doesn’t exist. It was me, flying about like a clucky old hen, who insisted on rubbing them down and fussing over them. But I know they enjoyed the attention anyway. Necessary or not. I got lots of wags and licks. So we were all comforted, really.

Then, a couple of nice intermittently, sunny weeks followed,  until… the last week of the sit. Then came the second wave. Even Heavier rains this time and flooding. The hen house was really the worst, being at the bottom end of the garden. The rains just poured through, making the heavy clay dirt turn into a quagmire of thick, sticky mud divided by two streams of gushing water. Even at the entrance was a pool over my ankles, of the same water and mud. And trying to walk on wet slippery clay is a talent all on its own. Unfortunately, not one of mine, I’m afraid. Though if someone had taken a video of me, I’m sure I could have applied for a job as a Circus Clown, with it. Especially after doing the splits on the second fall. But I was so sorry for the poor birds who huddled at the highest point they could. And putting their food down was a no go, until I found a feeder that would stand above the mud.

Luxury Hen Coop made with pallets

Although I could do nothing at that point, other than trying to keep my balance, and use just a few other ‘f’ words I had found extremely useful, I decided to find a solution to the flooding. And, as always, the internet became my guide. I found pallets! Yes, on one of the many chook keeper sites was a great idea to put pallets over the chook run floor, with a solid surface on top. This way the water still runs underneath and doesn’t build up, but the chooks have a platform which is above water. So simple, so smart! And many places will give them for free! So, at the first sign of the weather clearing, that’s what I did. I got a free pallet down at JB Hi Fi and put it in the hen house. Finding a top to fit it was not so easy and it ended

up a bit of a mish mash, but a workable mishmash. I figured Sonia could make a better one when she came back, anyway. The chook, the rooster and the duck just looked at me. Looked at the pallet platform. Looked at me. And avoided it like the plague! But did I care? I did not. I had done my bit to save the chooks and was mightily pleased with myself. I knew the chooks would get used to it in time….especially if their food was on top of it!

Oh C'mon, wouldnt you like this?

Hmmm... dog bed?

And so I went and fussed the Wolfies again. Sopping wet through (yet again), caked in mud and grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Hmmmm…. Actually, pallets are good for lots of animals…… New Dog beds with mattresses on top for Wolfies, I thought. The Wolfies looked at me and quickly went and layed, protectively, on their patio beds.


Remember, Storms don't last forever. The sun will always shine again.
The Grey Chihuahua

NAN TIEN- SOLACE FOR THE SOUL

I have always maintained that the paths we find ourselves on in the journey of life, whether intended or not, are there for a reason. We have something to learn or experience on it.  In my travels so far I have managed to find many paths I didn’t intend to take, initially, but that have proven to be of greater value to me. Some have taught me patience or to savour where I am rather than wasting effort on trying to get to where I thought I should be. They have taught me to live in the moment and appreciate the beauty around me. Some paths have led to awesome places, meeting great people, and learning to trust in the journey.

When I first started my travels  I thought it would be a good idea to do a housesit after a month on the road, so that I could see how I was going, what my finances were like and how I felt. So, I booked to do a months’ housesit for a lovely lady, Sonia, and her two really nice sons, some chooks and two Wolfhounds at Wollongong. Well my path, as usual, wasn’t quite in sync, and I realized that I should have booked a housit further up the east coast of NSW, as I was going to be pushed for time now to get to my next housesit in Hervey Bay. And Wollongong with its’ heavy industries was not a place I would have chosen to visit on my travels, otherwise. However. Trust the journey! For one thing I got to spend some time with two of the most gorgeous gentle giants EVER. Remus and Valerie were my wonderful wolfies, whose sweet nature and sloppy kisses made every day a blessing.

And then there was Nan Tien!

The Hall of Compassion at the Entrance

Who would have thought there was such a place in Wollongong? Nan Tien Temple is the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. And it is both a visual delight for the senses and a solace for the soul. I cannot understand how something so near to a busy highway can remain so remote from it. It is almost like stepping into another dimension. A lost city… a Shangri-La. It has such beautiful architecture, that practically every angle you look at makes you draw in your breath. I realize that this is intentional, as it is an aid to meditation and focus in Bhuddism, but even so, the architecture of the buildings melds into the architecture of the gardens seamlessly, elegantly. And I have to admit a weakness for oriental gardens. So structured, so contrived, yet nature is so beautifully orchestrated, it is sublime.

A garden outside the Dew Drop Inn

 And the peace of this place is such a solace to the soul. From the many paths with wooden seats and contemplative statues, to the lotus lake full of Koi : from the meditation room and Compassion hall to the stunning Temples… an air of tranquility and joy seems to pervade them all. It is easy to lose time here. I know I did as I sat by the Lotus Lake watching the ducks drowse as koi tickled their feet beneath the crystal clear water. The lotuses had, alas, flowered and gone, but the large, waxy leaves lifted to the sky, undaunted, unchanged, meditating in the sun.

The Lotus Lake

At some point I decided to find some sustenance for the body too and found there are two places here. The smaller Dew Drop Inn, where I went serves delicious teas and coffees, cakes and oriental VEGETARIAN snacks. And the Dining Hall which serves larger but affordable vegetarian meals, as Bhuddism  advocates for vegetarianism. Which actually suited me well, as I am not a great meat eater and could probably even stop eating meat quite easily. I never did as a child- not because my family, who were meat eaters wanted it, but because preferred it. Heavens knows when I started eating it- probably when MacDonalds turned up!

There are also exhibitions and festivals here, Buddhist festivals,  educational and healthy lifestyle classes and retreats, accommodation, top class conference and auditorium facilities. And also the spiritual and religious experience that is unforgettable, and even life changing for some. This is a place to return to again and again. As I did.

So the path which led me to Wollongong  did so for a reason. Nan Tien.

May you learn to trust your journey.

The Grey Chihuahua

WHERE ARE ALL THE GAY COWBOYS?

OK Anyone who knows me knows I have a shocking memory for names. If ever you meet me it would be advisable to pin your name to your shirt if you want to get the right one. Like for at least a month. Now, a few years ago a film called ‘Brokeback Mountain’ caused quite a stir, particularly in the USA, because its two main characters were gay cowboys. Well, to me that’s normal/ no big deal. But apparently not so in the era the movie represented (or, even now, in certain parts of the USA). So when I saw SADDLEBACK Mountain just south of Jamberoo, I immediately thought – Gay Cowboys! Cool. Yes, yes… I know. Not the right name- but I genuinely thought I remembered the movie was called ‘Saddleback Mountain’ at the time. And I know it was just a Movie. And it’s in NSW not Wyoming. But I thought – hey, maybe some bright spark has a crazy house sign or something there, referring to the movie. Look, I found TIN cows in Cowper. However, there was nothing. Well nothing except some really beautiful countryside and fantastic views of Kiama. In fact, it was such a lovely drive over those high hills, it was well worth it- even without the gay cowboys. As I stopped on the highest part of the road, and had my morning cup of coffee (ain't it great when your kitchen is in you transport?), I imagined those two happy fellas, ambling on their horses over the green fields , blowing a kiss to each other in the early morning sunlight. Aaaahhh.

Kiama Blowhole

Minnamurra

Kiama

From there, I wound my way down to Kiama and its famous Blowhole. A blowhole, by the way, is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in blasts of water from the top of the blowhole. (Yes I used Wikipedia) Kiama has an awesome one and is a really special place. The town sits in a curved bay, steep at one end where the lighthouse and the Blowhole are (and the masses of visiting tourists!). Also the information Centre and its café. A harbor is cradled in the middle with a great fish and chip place, with the town radiating out from it full of little shops and cafes. To the other side, a sandy beach curves around the bay. Kiama has it all! In fact, Kiama has more than all. Like most of the NSW coastline I’ve visited so far, it is fairly hilly, with roads winding up the slopes from the seashore. So if you follow the road around the beach and go up a little, you get to part of the Kiama Beach Walk that takes you to wide parklands with the most stunning  360 degrees views  and picnic areas, traversed by a broad path. This Path runs all the way over the top of the sea cliff and round to Minnamurra. No NOT Minnamurra RAINFOREST , but Minnamurra town, which is gorgeous. A small, select area of nice houses, and a shallow inlet where sports like kayaking and stand up paddle boarding take place. The inlet is boarded by a sandy bank separating it from the sea and other sports- like fishing and boating.  I didn’t stay long however as I had neither kayak not paddle board and I was getting miffed with those that had!

Killalea Cafe and BBQ Area

Shellharbour was the next port of call on my journey, but as the A1 turned into the B65 I did detour a little at Killalea State Recreational Park. This place is amazing. And FREE! Well done Shellharbour. Killalea State Recreation Park is a spectacular tract of coastal land that has been dedicated as a public recreation reserve available for surfing, fishing, picnics, bushwalking and camping.  It has two favourite surf beaches, Killalea Beach or 'The Farm' as 

locals know it and Minnamurra Beach 'Mystics'. I had to get through the convoluted roads of Shell Cove to get to the entrance, but it is well sign posted and takes you to the grassy BBQ/ cafe area at the top, overlooking the beaches. There’s plenty of parking there too, which was awesome. If you want camping and accommodation, that's there also, but at a price. Little is said about this area in tourist brochures, I’ve found. Probably because it's free. But the locals know it well. I stayed there for a couple of hours, eating my chips and an icecream (don’t preach to me about my eating habits and I won’t comment on yours) the  from the café and sitting at a picnic table, enjoying the sun, before, reluctantly moving on to Shellharbour Village.

Bass Point Reserve

Shellharbour Village also turned out to be a good stop as it has hot water showers there at the open sea baths. These baths were lovely and clean, reasonably modern and right on the beach front. The only drawback was- the showers were open ones. But I’d washed in my bathers before now! And it felt so good to have hot water.  Afterwards I didn’t feel like staying in the baths. Instead I felt in need of nature again and drove up to Bass Point Nature Reserve, which is located just south of Shellharbour Village. This headland features one of the few diverse littoral   

rainforests in the Illawarra Region, a large collection of significant Aboriginal and European heritage sites and extensive marine habitats. I went to the lookouts at Bushrangers Bay and Maloneys Bay to take advantage of the coastal views and walk the rocks there. At first it was so peaceful and blissful, with only a few of us communing silently with nature. Then came the scuba divers. One car load after the other. Spoiled. No I don’t care that they had every right to be there too. I was communing. So I threw the teddy out of the cot and moved out with my titty lip pouting, even though I knew how lucky I had been to see such beautiful places that day.

May you all find the peace you seek on your journey .
The Grey Chihuahua