Holiday fun
Tomorrow I go back to work and I have a bunch of jobs including my yearly report to do, so I'll be busy.
It's easy to get despondent about going back to work, even when you actually like your job, like I do. But that's ok. Jobs give me money to take holidays, so it's not all bad is it?!
But part of staying sane is to make sure you remember the fun times you had while on holiday. I last wrote about holidays in the post before last (covering December) so I'll tell you what I've been up to since then.
After getting back from Canberra on the 27th, I rested on 28th. Mum rang to invite me to a $6 lunch at her club and so I met her and Anthony and V there, which was good. I then drove up to Maitland to visit J&J via a church friend's holiday house on the central coast. I tried to rest and read, but it's hard when a 6 year old opens the balcony door you didn't know you had and runs through!
The others waited for me to join them at JK's. We went for a swim at Merewether Baths and then had yummy burgers in Newcastle, I had potato tots instead of chips! The next day I can't totally remember but I think I wasn't well due to doing too much the day before (totally worth it) but on New Year's Eve we went to Newcastle Baths and then JG's friend's house for pizzas. We were going to go to the fireworks at Maitland, but there was a massive storm so instead we watched that. The fireworks were cancelled anyway. We played a trivia game and then JG offered to drive me home so I could rest.
New Year's Day I had to leave but first we went for another swim at Newcastle Baths which was so cold but wonderful. Then I drove back to Sydney because Dad was arriving on the night of the 2nd and I needed to have time to rest.
Dad's visit went ok but he arrived too late for dinner on 2nd which was hard because I was very tired by the time he came. The first day of cricket we sat in the no alcohol seats in the sun - it was hot as usual, and India won the toss and batted and batted and batted and batted and batted. By about 4pm we'd had enough and we went home. I was getting really weary.
When we got home I ordered take away on the app and it got delivered, but I asked Dad to do all the serving and cleaning up because I was doneski. It was hard to see him having to clean up.
The second day of cricket we were up at the very back on the stand and not in the sun at all, but it was a long way to climb. We watched a very boring second day because of the batting of this Indian player (Pujara?) and it just went on. In the afternoon, I managed to uncomfortably snooze on the seats next to us because no one else was around. It was good to have the whole row to ourselves and the snooze (through tea so I didn't miss much) meant I could stay a bit longer and we got to see the Australians bat, albeit briefly. We left with 4 overs to go so we wouldn't have to queue much at the bus. When we got home I ordered supreme and hawaiian pizza and we ate that.
Dad left the next morning and then I went to the shops to get some supplies for JG who was dropping in on her way to Katoomba. She brought the gorgeous plant and macrame holder (so many sparks - hoping it's going to survive in the low light of my bathroom) and took a cutting of my red plant. I made a nice morning tea.
Sunday I was on prayer and music and so that was fairly full on, and I'm not sure what I did after that but probably not much. Monday was another big rest day.
Tuesday I got the energy to go the gym and do the basic program my exercise physiologist put together although as I wrote, it took ages to rev myself up. Turns out there were only 2 other people in the gym and they were both young and super fit but whatever. I did it!!
After the gym I did a quick swim down in the pool but only swam 2 laps very conscious of my energy and not overdoing it.
The next day I felt ok but still very conscious of my energy so I went to Enfield Pool (closest pool but weirdly shallow then weirdly deep with tiny lanes) and did a couple of laps and then got out and read. The pool got busier and this lady decided that her music was suitable for everyone to hear (who thinks that!) and so I moved to the shaded trees were there wasn't anyone else. I had a burger from the cafe for lunch which was nice and then I went home.
Thursday I helped interview the candidates for the office job at church and then later that day I got a haircut from Ansia. Good to get hair cut before going back to work.
Friday I packed up the house and cleaned up so when I got back it wouldn't be messy and then drove to Canberra. I stopped for drinks and chocolate and got to my aunt's house. She wasn't there (which was expected) so I retrieved the key and let myself in. It's very quiet without her and the dog.
I had a nap and then my sister cancelled the catch up in the evening and I was devastated. So lonely so I ordered pizza and sat watching Netflix. She wasn't well. My brother didn't want to hang out either which was disappointing and made me angry.
Saturday I woke up and decided to make up with sister so went to Brumby's and bought bakery goods and took and we had a chat in her comfy chairs. So fancy they move with electricity!
Then I started driving and drove out to Yass and had my first little toilet break and then drove down to Albury. I decided to do a Bec and looked up a fancy burger place, and then found it (parking opposite cos Albury!!) and asked the girl for recommendations for where to go to sit by the river.
When I found the popular river spot I discovered that people were floating down the river on noodles!! The current was so strong they basically did nothing and then walked back up and did it again! I had to float too!! So I went back to my car and got my stuff and left my rug at one end and my bag at the other and got in. I decided it would be super fun to report that I'd swum from NSW to Victoria so I did that and was careful to leave myself plenty of room to get back to the exit place because the current was so strong it pulled me west. I got out and rested for a while and then cos it was super hot (40) I walked up and got back in and floated down again. Then I rested some more in a different spot and got back in the car and drove to Bright.
The last part of the drive was all narrow two-way roads so it was a good idea to be alert for that.
When I got to Bright I saw the compound and everyone was there and it was exciting. I needed to rest so I rested and they all went off and went shopping and had a swim. I got a text telling me to come so I drove down and found a park right nearby (thank you GOD) because my car was smaller and everyone had big wagons. They had a duck race and I got another swimming costume out of my car and went for a quick dip in the river at Bright. We had chicken and rolls and salad and then went back to the compound.
The next day I was feeling pretty ill so I rested all day because I'd done too much on Saturday. That night the youth made dinner which was yummy beef strips and rice.
Monday we were sitting at breakfast and one of the ladies who worked there said we could join for yoga, so after thinking about it for a while, I decided it was probably going to be fairly low cardio and mostly stretching so I might as well try my first yoga class. Some of the poses were more advanced and I couldn't really do them, but it was a very stretchy good experience. I got quite sweaty so I was glad I brought my towel.
After that we drove up to the waterfall and walked the 500m to the waterfall. It was hilly and hard for me and I obviously don't have great cardio fitness anymore. So I just went slow.
The waterfall was gorgeous and I stayed in the water so long that the others all had got out. I went up under the waterfall and sat with it drumming a massage on my back and then slid down. While I was up there I diverted the water so the kids could slide down the rock better. It was glorious. After the waterfall I had lunch and played a game of Uno with the kids. That was the only game I played all week though because I had to rest so much.
I rested all afternoon and then that night it was K's birthday so we went out to the pub. I thought I'd be adventurous and try the mushroom risotto but it was awful and I didn't finish it. To wash out the taste I got dessert and that was super disappointing too. But oh well, it was nice to be out with 10 other adults and having a good chat.
The next day the plan was to go rafting, but it typically takes 5 families a long time to get ready, so we didn't get there until quite late. I had a donut that one of the families had offered, and floated down the river. The first rapids were really narrow and I got stuck, which was the first of many times. I had thankfully pulled on my SCUBA boots so I could easily walk but I didn't want to. So I scuttled along the rocks and then floated. I got so many bruises including a giant one that I only noticed today (Sunday after). But it was amazing. The kids were quicker cos they didn't get stuck but we all eventually ended up at the meeting point about 1.5 hours after we started. Amazing.
That night someone made butter chicken which was amazing.
The next day I was sore and stiff but the plan was to just go to Porepunkah and swim. The river there was a lot wider and slower than the Murray, so I swam 300m upriver and back and then played with the others for a bit. Then I sat and read on the shore and then drove back to Bright.
That night all the families went out to dinner but I wasn't well so I stayed at the place and ate chips and chocolate and felt sick and miserable.
The last day before I was due to leave the plan was to go to Lake Catani. I didn't know what to expect, but it turned out to be on the road where the waterfall was, but much much further. So many bends that even I felt a bit sick. I was in the car with Rachel which was great to talk to her and get to know her a bit. Her 3 kids were in the back. We all got to the lake and had our lunch (Rachel had bought pies and sausage rolls) and then went swimming. I could see something in the distance so I tucked my sunglasses into my swimmers and swam down to the end of the lake. It turned out there was a dam. I climbed on the dam wall and looked down the other side. Probably about 7-10m? Hard to tell. Then I dived back into the lake and swam back. I reckon I swam about 1km in all so it was a fair way.
Then I got out and read and then we went back and I rested. This was a big theme. That night there was a super yummy bbq which was a good last meal to have before I went home.
On Friday I got up and packed my stuff and had breakfast and drove out. I drove to Albury and then past Gundagai and stopped for a toilet and petrol stop after about 3 hours. That set up the day so by the time I got to Yass I decided to keep going. I had another stop at Pheasants Nest so that I could face the Friday afternoon traffic but it wasn't too bad except always a bit freaky on the 4 lane freeway. I got off at the first opportunity and it's easier when people are driving slower.
When I got home my doona and floor was covered in ferret poop, so I cleaned it and washed my doona and knew it would be dry that night (it was). Still super hot of course. Then I went out and bought some yummy food because I was inspired by E and DP who had been talking about ploughman's lunch.
Saturday I didn't do much except rest because I wasn't well, although Daphne and her ferrants came over and today I went to church and then came home. I have been listening to podcasts the last few days which are a revelation, although I've finished listening to my favourite one "This Imagined Life" which has covered the stories of 10 famous people. I can't wait for the next one. They don't give you much idea and then you start to guess. I guessed all earlier than they revealed, except for one famous English musician.
I fell asleep listening to a podcast featuring my counsellor, and then I woke up and went for a quick swim at the pool.
And now my holidays are almost finished. My phone isn't working downloading the photos so I'll just post it and maybe add photos later.
It's easy to get despondent about going back to work, even when you actually like your job, like I do. But that's ok. Jobs give me money to take holidays, so it's not all bad is it?!
But part of staying sane is to make sure you remember the fun times you had while on holiday. I last wrote about holidays in the post before last (covering December) so I'll tell you what I've been up to since then.
After getting back from Canberra on the 27th, I rested on 28th. Mum rang to invite me to a $6 lunch at her club and so I met her and Anthony and V there, which was good. I then drove up to Maitland to visit J&J via a church friend's holiday house on the central coast. I tried to rest and read, but it's hard when a 6 year old opens the balcony door you didn't know you had and runs through!
The others waited for me to join them at JK's. We went for a swim at Merewether Baths and then had yummy burgers in Newcastle, I had potato tots instead of chips! The next day I can't totally remember but I think I wasn't well due to doing too much the day before (totally worth it) but on New Year's Eve we went to Newcastle Baths and then JG's friend's house for pizzas. We were going to go to the fireworks at Maitland, but there was a massive storm so instead we watched that. The fireworks were cancelled anyway. We played a trivia game and then JG offered to drive me home so I could rest.
New Year's Day I had to leave but first we went for another swim at Newcastle Baths which was so cold but wonderful. Then I drove back to Sydney because Dad was arriving on the night of the 2nd and I needed to have time to rest.
Dad's visit went ok but he arrived too late for dinner on 2nd which was hard because I was very tired by the time he came. The first day of cricket we sat in the no alcohol seats in the sun - it was hot as usual, and India won the toss and batted and batted and batted and batted and batted. By about 4pm we'd had enough and we went home. I was getting really weary.
When we got home I ordered take away on the app and it got delivered, but I asked Dad to do all the serving and cleaning up because I was doneski. It was hard to see him having to clean up.
The second day of cricket we were up at the very back on the stand and not in the sun at all, but it was a long way to climb. We watched a very boring second day because of the batting of this Indian player (Pujara?) and it just went on. In the afternoon, I managed to uncomfortably snooze on the seats next to us because no one else was around. It was good to have the whole row to ourselves and the snooze (through tea so I didn't miss much) meant I could stay a bit longer and we got to see the Australians bat, albeit briefly. We left with 4 overs to go so we wouldn't have to queue much at the bus. When we got home I ordered supreme and hawaiian pizza and we ate that.
Dad left the next morning and then I went to the shops to get some supplies for JG who was dropping in on her way to Katoomba. She brought the gorgeous plant and macrame holder (so many sparks - hoping it's going to survive in the low light of my bathroom) and took a cutting of my red plant. I made a nice morning tea.
Sunday I was on prayer and music and so that was fairly full on, and I'm not sure what I did after that but probably not much. Monday was another big rest day.
Tuesday I got the energy to go the gym and do the basic program my exercise physiologist put together although as I wrote, it took ages to rev myself up. Turns out there were only 2 other people in the gym and they were both young and super fit but whatever. I did it!!
After the gym I did a quick swim down in the pool but only swam 2 laps very conscious of my energy and not overdoing it.
The next day I felt ok but still very conscious of my energy so I went to Enfield Pool (closest pool but weirdly shallow then weirdly deep with tiny lanes) and did a couple of laps and then got out and read. The pool got busier and this lady decided that her music was suitable for everyone to hear (who thinks that!) and so I moved to the shaded trees were there wasn't anyone else. I had a burger from the cafe for lunch which was nice and then I went home.
Thursday I helped interview the candidates for the office job at church and then later that day I got a haircut from Ansia. Good to get hair cut before going back to work.
Friday I packed up the house and cleaned up so when I got back it wouldn't be messy and then drove to Canberra. I stopped for drinks and chocolate and got to my aunt's house. She wasn't there (which was expected) so I retrieved the key and let myself in. It's very quiet without her and the dog.
I had a nap and then my sister cancelled the catch up in the evening and I was devastated. So lonely so I ordered pizza and sat watching Netflix. She wasn't well. My brother didn't want to hang out either which was disappointing and made me angry.
Saturday I woke up and decided to make up with sister so went to Brumby's and bought bakery goods and took and we had a chat in her comfy chairs. So fancy they move with electricity!
Then I started driving and drove out to Yass and had my first little toilet break and then drove down to Albury. I decided to do a Bec and looked up a fancy burger place, and then found it (parking opposite cos Albury!!) and asked the girl for recommendations for where to go to sit by the river.
When I found the popular river spot I discovered that people were floating down the river on noodles!! The current was so strong they basically did nothing and then walked back up and did it again! I had to float too!! So I went back to my car and got my stuff and left my rug at one end and my bag at the other and got in. I decided it would be super fun to report that I'd swum from NSW to Victoria so I did that and was careful to leave myself plenty of room to get back to the exit place because the current was so strong it pulled me west. I got out and rested for a while and then cos it was super hot (40) I walked up and got back in and floated down again. Then I rested some more in a different spot and got back in the car and drove to Bright.
The last part of the drive was all narrow two-way roads so it was a good idea to be alert for that.
When I got to Bright I saw the compound and everyone was there and it was exciting. I needed to rest so I rested and they all went off and went shopping and had a swim. I got a text telling me to come so I drove down and found a park right nearby (thank you GOD) because my car was smaller and everyone had big wagons. They had a duck race and I got another swimming costume out of my car and went for a quick dip in the river at Bright. We had chicken and rolls and salad and then went back to the compound.
The next day I was feeling pretty ill so I rested all day because I'd done too much on Saturday. That night the youth made dinner which was yummy beef strips and rice.
Monday we were sitting at breakfast and one of the ladies who worked there said we could join for yoga, so after thinking about it for a while, I decided it was probably going to be fairly low cardio and mostly stretching so I might as well try my first yoga class. Some of the poses were more advanced and I couldn't really do them, but it was a very stretchy good experience. I got quite sweaty so I was glad I brought my towel.
After that we drove up to the waterfall and walked the 500m to the waterfall. It was hilly and hard for me and I obviously don't have great cardio fitness anymore. So I just went slow.
The waterfall was gorgeous and I stayed in the water so long that the others all had got out. I went up under the waterfall and sat with it drumming a massage on my back and then slid down. While I was up there I diverted the water so the kids could slide down the rock better. It was glorious. After the waterfall I had lunch and played a game of Uno with the kids. That was the only game I played all week though because I had to rest so much.
I rested all afternoon and then that night it was K's birthday so we went out to the pub. I thought I'd be adventurous and try the mushroom risotto but it was awful and I didn't finish it. To wash out the taste I got dessert and that was super disappointing too. But oh well, it was nice to be out with 10 other adults and having a good chat.
The next day the plan was to go rafting, but it typically takes 5 families a long time to get ready, so we didn't get there until quite late. I had a donut that one of the families had offered, and floated down the river. The first rapids were really narrow and I got stuck, which was the first of many times. I had thankfully pulled on my SCUBA boots so I could easily walk but I didn't want to. So I scuttled along the rocks and then floated. I got so many bruises including a giant one that I only noticed today (Sunday after). But it was amazing. The kids were quicker cos they didn't get stuck but we all eventually ended up at the meeting point about 1.5 hours after we started. Amazing.
That night someone made butter chicken which was amazing.
The next day I was sore and stiff but the plan was to just go to Porepunkah and swim. The river there was a lot wider and slower than the Murray, so I swam 300m upriver and back and then played with the others for a bit. Then I sat and read on the shore and then drove back to Bright.
That night all the families went out to dinner but I wasn't well so I stayed at the place and ate chips and chocolate and felt sick and miserable.
The last day before I was due to leave the plan was to go to Lake Catani. I didn't know what to expect, but it turned out to be on the road where the waterfall was, but much much further. So many bends that even I felt a bit sick. I was in the car with Rachel which was great to talk to her and get to know her a bit. Her 3 kids were in the back. We all got to the lake and had our lunch (Rachel had bought pies and sausage rolls) and then went swimming. I could see something in the distance so I tucked my sunglasses into my swimmers and swam down to the end of the lake. It turned out there was a dam. I climbed on the dam wall and looked down the other side. Probably about 7-10m? Hard to tell. Then I dived back into the lake and swam back. I reckon I swam about 1km in all so it was a fair way.
Then I got out and read and then we went back and I rested. This was a big theme. That night there was a super yummy bbq which was a good last meal to have before I went home.
On Friday I got up and packed my stuff and had breakfast and drove out. I drove to Albury and then past Gundagai and stopped for a toilet and petrol stop after about 3 hours. That set up the day so by the time I got to Yass I decided to keep going. I had another stop at Pheasants Nest so that I could face the Friday afternoon traffic but it wasn't too bad except always a bit freaky on the 4 lane freeway. I got off at the first opportunity and it's easier when people are driving slower.
When I got home my doona and floor was covered in ferret poop, so I cleaned it and washed my doona and knew it would be dry that night (it was). Still super hot of course. Then I went out and bought some yummy food because I was inspired by E and DP who had been talking about ploughman's lunch.
Saturday I didn't do much except rest because I wasn't well, although Daphne and her ferrants came over and today I went to church and then came home. I have been listening to podcasts the last few days which are a revelation, although I've finished listening to my favourite one "This Imagined Life" which has covered the stories of 10 famous people. I can't wait for the next one. They don't give you much idea and then you start to guess. I guessed all earlier than they revealed, except for one famous English musician.
I fell asleep listening to a podcast featuring my counsellor, and then I woke up and went for a quick swim at the pool.
And now my holidays are almost finished. My phone isn't working downloading the photos so I'll just post it and maybe add photos later.
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