Road Trip

2250 kms in total, 38 hrs drive time in 4.5 days! 2 girls on a mission to see the real outback of NSW. Sydney to Griffith, to Mungo, (via Pooncarrie) to Menindee to Broken Hill, to Silverton, to Mundi Mundi, to Cobar and back to Sydney. 

It started as a joke, at an instameet, we were talking about photographing the stars and that it is impossible in Sydney, but wouldn't it be fun to go out to Broken Hill to do that. Yes said myself and Miss B. Wouldn't that be a good long weekend road trip. And the planning commenced. 

Miss B and I googled every direction, every km, of sealed and unsealed road. Unsealed.... in our city cars? No that wouldn't do but Miss B's uncle has a Nissan Patrol and sure, he'd let us borrow it for the long weekend road trip, we just had to remind him exactly how far we were planning on going.

Ahhh the planning, which way to go and what to see. I was ever thankful to Destination NSW for their web sites and planning maps because I found myself discovering a place I'd heard about but never thought I'd see. Lake Mungo is a dry lake located in south-western portion of New South Wales. It is about 760 km due west of Sydney accessible by dirt roads. 

WHY NOT we say. Then we can head (via unsealed road) to Menindee Lakes, still at 50% capacity from the Queensland floods, they would look sensational. Ending at Broken Hill, Silverton and Mundi Mundi (mad Max territory) Then home via Cobar to see more mines and hopefully wheat and canola farms along the drive home. 

We planned to within an inch of our lives, all accommodation would be pub based except for Lake Mungo where it is a resort. Lots of petrol stops planned.

It was a trip of a lifetime. I can't believe we saw 40,000 year old sand dunes, eroded from time, fragile beyond anything. Red red dirt, partially empty lakes and  iconic pubs that are part of the real Australian culture. 2250km seems so small in the scale of this great country. 

Fidelity

Fidelity isn't a word I give much thought to. I'm in a committed relationship with BF and we're happy. But lately I've seen the wheels fall off some close friends relationships and some relationships start up without a care for other parties and I find I'm no longer sitting on the fence. 

I have an issue. If you don't want to be in a relationship, then get out and don't willingly enter relationships as a third wheel.

Getting Sick

2013 started out quite well but 3 days before my birthday my little world fell apart. I forced BF to get a blood test. He'd lost about 25kg over the last year and we knew he was sick but so many doctors appointments had shown nothing wrong. The wonderful team at Royal North Shore hospital determined he was in full renal failure. He'd need a new kidney and dialysis every day until he got that kidney or for life.

Wow, that was a shock. He's come a long way over the past few months. He's gently getting back at work and sport, and home dialysis every night. That part is hard, beeping and alarms every night and 8 solid hours tied to a machine, but discipline and being organised helps. It means we're unable to travel for a while as a couple. And things are certainly a lot different with day planning. 

Next week I am attending an information day for live donors. I've offered my kidney to BF in the hope that we're compatible and it gives us back the quality of life that he's had. I've not told my parents or family yet, but my work and my friends know. I still don't know how I'm feeling about this, except that I've never been so sure about something in my life. 
Wish me luck, I'm sure I'll be posting more info as I get a grip on my feelings.

In a writing funk

I can talk about anything, but I can't seem to find my mojo to write. Possible nuclear detonation at the hands of North Korea - discussed over a Mexican dinner party last night for about 4 hours. Implications for China, Russia, India if there was a war, covered. 
Sydney's infrastructure, should I begin with the bus that broke down at my bus stop yesterday or that I was again, 20 min late to work when it's only a 3km trip? You really don't want me to get started.

But words and writing, I just can't find it in me lately.

Cruising

I always wondered if cruising was for me. I can see the endless cocktails, and funny folded hand towels in my room, I can see buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I can't see me taking part in early morning yoga on the deck, or line dancing lessons. 

The BF surprised me with a 9 day cruise to New Caledonia a week after we moved back to Sydney. How am I supposed to react to a 9 day cruise after the year I'd had (in the same month as Christmas). Not overly well I found out.

I was bored, bored before we took off and bored for the next 9 days. I found out we're not the line dancing type, and we're not much for karaoke or yoga. We watched a lot of television (often the same episodes of Greatest Catch repeated) and a few shared cocktails. 

The day trips onto the islands were rushed and there was very little to. I'm not sure if it was to do with our boat in particular, or just our type of holiday style, maybe a little of both. For me it felt like an RSL club on water. And I'm not one to frequent the local club. 

Maybe I'll give it another shot another time (with a different liner) but I think it'll be a little while before that happens.

I'm Home

I'm home... Sydney. You haven't changed, you're just as gorgeous as ever. Did you miss me?

I'm crazy talking to a city (I know), but running away from home for four very long months can do that to you. I've moved into a new area, not far from where I wanted to live but meant I don't need to compromise on anything at all in the apartment. And I get to learn how to catch a bus now. That's got to be a good thing.
And it seems I've arrived back in town right at the right time, summer. This weekend the city will reach tops of 36 degrees with out west, we anticipate at least 42. But summer also means outdoor concerts, night photography, dinners and drinks in the city, night markets, all of the wonderful things that Sydney is renowned for. Let's bring it on and celebrate.

Leaving Sydney

The emotions are boiling up just under my skin. I'm exhausted and need a break, I've had enough of a 5km commute taking 40 min to drive, that a trip to visit my parents is 2 hours each way and a $25 return trip. Sydney has finally gotten to me and I'm dealing with it all in the best way I can. 

I'm running away from home.

I've never done this, I'm the responsible one. I started working at 19 and not had a break. I moved out of home and never been back. And just now it's all gotten too hard for me to handle. It's been a big year, my girlfriend Ms R, lost her mother, and it's wiped me out more than I thought it could. Work hasn't been fun either, and I realise that it used to be.

So today my notice was given, carpet replacement organised (slight issue with the hidden chihuahua) and we're moving to Forster. Yes a summer paradise in winter with hundreds of bogan cousins living next door. But no rent. Saving cash each month. If I just do it for a few months, I'll be ahead and refreshed. Well that is the plan.

I hate change, I'm a Taurus. However bring on July 1.