Last Saturday I flew up the coast on a last-minute flight to be reunited with my little family. I was going to spend one night with them and then we were going to embark on a road trip back home. I packed very little clothing in a small carry-on bag. I didn’t pack a speck of make-up or my hairdryer. It was one night. Except it turned out to be a whole week {something happened and we decided to stay}. So I’ve been roughing it. Thankfully I packed my laptop last minute, so I’ve been roughing it and working remotely.
There’s something about being in the country that’s good for the soul. The other day we trekked out to the local farmer’s market to get some produce. I stood at the strawberry stand for what seemed like forever while the man behind the counter talked about tornadoes to a customer. I impatiently tapped my feet and considered going home strawberry-less because he was taking so long. Then I realised that I needed to slow down the pace and embrace the country in me. As hard as it was {I might have interrupted to speed things up though. Tornado stories can go on foreveeeeer}.
Last night, as we watched the local news, I witnessed something I’ve never seen before: a crazy weatherman named Stan. They’ve got personality up here. It went something like this: “Tomorrow is going to be fine with a top of 26. TWENTY SIX? I hear you say. Well, yes! It’s going to be 26! Don’t be so shocked. And you know you really should start slip, slop … oh what’s the last one? You know what I mean. People are already starting to get sun-burnt! So make sure you cover up…”
After the weatherman had done his bit and we’d eaten dinner, we got ice cream from the home delivery man. I’ve known that he passes by here for a while, but we’ve never stopped him. This time I thought it would be a novelty for Lacey because it just doesn’t happen in Bondi. So we heard him ringing his bell and saw his lights flashing across the river, and patiently waited with money in our hands for him to make his way to our place. We thought he’d gone home because it took so long … Lacey had a meltdown, we gave her a substitute from our freezer … and then the man turned up outside. You’ve never seen two parents run so fast to flag down an ice cream truck. Never!
As we we waiting outside black ash started to fall from the sky. How about that? It was amazing, like little strips of snow … except black and ashy. We’re right near sugar cane fields and two were burnt off late yesterday afternoon, so the ash just drifts from the sky. Amazing.
Lastly, I really knew I was in the Country when the other day I dropped my iPhone in the newsagent and it fell into three pieces with my iPhone case hurdling across the floor. An old lady shuffled across like I’d dropped my baby to offer her sympathies. I was a little taken aback, but assured her it would be OK as I pieced it all back together.
I do miss the City and my own things {and more then two pieces of clothes AND my hairdryer} but it’s so good to be in the Country. It’s good to slow down for a little while.
Where do you live, in the City or the Country? What’s the most interesting thing about where you live?
I grew up in Sydney, but the last couple years I have moved around with my husband for his work. ATM we are living in a coastal area in NSW. It is so much like living in the country, and like you, have found it so hard to unwind!
I grew up in country Queensland and now live in Noosa. Both are beautiful parts of the world and I don't love one more than the other…they are just different. I do miss the country folk though. Don't like the pretentious people you can get here (although there are lots of very nice people too 🙂
I call Townsville, North Queensland my home. We are a small city, not too coutry, but with out the hustle and bustle of a capital. I like it as we have all the perks of a big city with conveniences but we don't have the hustle and bustle.
I grew up in the country and I miss the pace and the peacefulness.
I always talk about moving back to a country area..I love the idea of the idea of having a chicken coop, and a big garden…ahhh…with the caveat that regular shopping trips to the city are included in the deal!
I love the way you tell a story Chantelle, your writing is filled with so much feeling. What a lovely post. And on a side note, well done on going without your personal creature comforts for so long xo
Love Stan, he is my weather man (except I have been calling him Dan…Oops)he is a classic, really explains the weather well…lols
Oh the country. I LOVE the country. I'd give up city living in a heartbeat for somewhere wonderful. I'm thinking Castlemaine (near Daylesford). Such a beautiful country town…
Enjoy your time at home. How wonderful you decided to stay longer than a night (gosh, I bet you'd done your one outfit seven ways this week!) xx
I'm a Melbourne City girl living in rural Wales! I love the country for its sense of community…But for goodness sake, the lack of phone reception, absence of baristas and Hello? How is there nowhere to do yoga within 100 miles of of here? is sending me slightly batty. It's been three months and I am still rushing around like I have somewhere to be (I don't) and asking people “but what do you DO?….and then after that? What about tomorrow?? The next year? THE REST OF YOUR LIVES???WHAT IS THE PLAN???” Apparently there is no plan. Apparently some people are just content, exactly as they are. I know there is a lesson here for me. I would prefer the lesson AND coffee.
I few up in the country and i miss the sense of community and not seeing familiar faces. I now live in Melbourne and do enjoy the city as everything is at my fingertips but I do now know why 'cityslickers' take trips to the county and pay for it! I never use to get it but I do now. Enjoy the time out.
I live in the country, well the desert is perhaps more accurate. I have lived in regional parts of Australia for the last 12 years and am patiently awaiting a
December move back to the city. I think that the best thing about living in a regional town is the feeling of community and the sense of pride that you get at community events. I am looking forward to everyone not knowing my business anymore 😉
Glad that you have had an enjoyable week with time to slow down, it is good for the soul.
Tatum xx