Reedy Flat Victoria

I travelled up to Sale and met Rob. I was really pleased with the drive and felt a sense of achievement. I picked up his prints from the framers on the way and still made good time.  We met up at the motel. I was a bit tentative because I thought we might not feel the same after such a gap but I was delighted to find we both felt the same. We went off to the German Expressionist Exhibition opening but we had missed the talk which was disappointing.  I met a few local artists that Rob knew and ended up with having our photo taken next to one of the art works for the local paper. I was surprised at how diverse the art scene is around east Gippsland. We went on to dinner at an Austrian Restaurant where the cook was the owner, an Austrian woman. Rob got her talking and we couldn't t stop her. He has an easy way with people, for someone who doesn't chat much!

Next day we visited a friend of his at Seaspray. I went there once camping with Peter and the kids. It is at the base of the 100 mile beach which is a 100 mile straight stretch of surf and sand. His friend Sue is another accomplished artist and an amazing woman. She has had such a varied life, nurse, dairy farmer, cook, artist. She is afflicted with scleroderma a disease of the connective tissue which has resulted in the loss of her lower legs below the knees and the tips of her fingers. She has only got movement in her first finger and her thumb but she still paints fabulous water colours, and oils. 

I found her a most interesting and inspiring woman and we got on very well.  Rob had taken her dogs for a walk which is what he always does when he visits. He showed her his print that he is intending to enter in a local competition. He obviously values her opinion. 

Next stop was Bairnsdale for some shopping but Rob suggested as we had the two cars I go on ahead to his Mum's place at Ensay near Reedy Flat and we meet up there. His Mum lives in a renovated pub which is now an art gallery for Rob's work. It is a lovely old building and Beth was pleased to show me around both inside and out in the garden. Rob arrived with groceries for his mum after an hour or so and by then Beth and I were quite comfortable with each other. 

There are no shops close by as we are in a very small country village and then Rob took the dogs for a walk( this is his usual routine apparently!)

Finally we went off to his place further into the bush.

A view from the road leading to Rob's place.

He has 200 hectares of bush stretching from a ridge between Mt Possum and Mt Wong. The kangaroos come in both morning and night, the birds are prolific and lizards and bats as well as the odd snake abound.  It is a very peaceful place. His home is very rustic, reminiscent of many homes built during the 1980s in Warrandyte where I used to live. He built it himself with his builder brother-in-law. The windows are all reclaimed lead light.  It is basic but homely and comfortable. I loved it. Wood fired hot water and all. He is off the grid with solar electricity and gas fridge and small gas stove as well.

Although hot down by the coast it was rather cool here and I had to borrow a windcheater because I hadn't packed any warm clothes. We had a long walk to the ridge on the following day and later took some of my chocolate cake to share with his Mum in the afternoon. I loved the slow pace and peace of the bush.  It is so relaxing. The round building is his studio where he paints or makes linocut prints.  His dog Flash was a bit put out that he couldn't sit in the front seat of the car when we went to visit! He accepted me by the Monday when I was leaving!  

It was a sweet weekend and I hope not too long before another.