How time flies

I am returning from Parkes NSW, home of the Dish. The satellite dish is the iconic tourist site in Parkes a town in central western NSW. I have been visiting the TAFE there as part of a course accreditation committee. I have only ever driven through before and this visit though brief, gave me a sense of the town. They have an amazing vibrant Public Library here and have made a huge impact on the culture of the region. The people we met are doing incredible work and just love living here. The woman who has built the course is so impressive and her team work so well. She has six kids and 7 grandchildren and  is the warmest, most generous person and teacher and is being exploited by the TAFE. We women allow this to happen all the time because we love what we do and would rather do it than fight for the correct valuing of our work. We are foolish. The course is not sustainable without her and the management would have to pay two people at least to do the work she does. It is scandalous. What successive governments have done to the TAFE system is trash it and the staff bear the brunt.

I am having to catch up a few busy weeks.

There have been lots of movies, mostly sad! The Daughter, an Australian film was excellent but harrowing. Brooklyn was good and more optimistic.

A novel way to treat an old VW!

The international flower and garden show was fun. I attended with Anthea Shem and had her husband Lawrie and his friend staying. The men went to the Grand Prix instead. Lots of dinners and breakfasts!

My dental work is progressing very slowly which is irritating. I have to keep clearing debris from my brace on the lower tooth. My tongue is always seeking the odd bits.

Last week I took Ziggy to Childcare to attend the  Creepy Critters show. We touched all sorts of insects, saw spiders, held a frog and were draped with a snake. I am usually terrified but I found it fascinating instead. Perhaps because it was in such a non threatening environment.  

Unfortunately Childcare is a germ factory and I came down with a bronchial thing and spent Easter feeling miserable!

Our trip to Japan is all paid for and we are now researching the benefits of a rail pass. It is very complicated and seems confusing. No doubt it will all become clear as we learn more. We have got the booking for the moss gardens which we had to apply for prior to arrival. We have to do some meditation before we are allowed into the gardens to put us in the correct frame of mind! We have been walking on most weekends in preparation for the Kumano Kodo part. Irene has researched every place we are staying. I am more laissez faire about it and feel like I have too much else happening now to bother. 

Went to the Nicci Sava launch of Road to Ruin about former Prime Minister Abbot and Peta Credlin his chief of staff. It was very interesting. I thought she might be critical of the Turnbull Government ( we all are!)yet she seemed to have a clearer perspective and was more patient than us.

The big drama is that Nick has broken with Rebecca. He is devastated because he felt he had met 'the one'.  He has come home of course and will stay till he goes to America on the 14 th April. It is kind of nice to have him home but the circumstances are not good. Time will tell if they get back together. I just keep out of it and try to soothe and be the sensible sounding board. I am sorry though because I really like her and she has been wonderful for Nick.

I had to go to Parkes, N.S.W.  for the ALIA accreditation visit to Western TAFE and it was nice to meet the group again. Bob had to leave early because his mother died suddenly. She was very old but you are never prepared. I returned this morning and flew home only to add some warm gear to the bag and then I was out the door again with a 15 minute turn around.

Now I am on the train to Bairnsdale to meet up with Rob. I decided not to drive because I would be arriving in the dark and I was nervous I would get lost, it is raining and I was up at 4:30 am this morning and would be so tired. This is way more relaxing even  though getting home from the airport and then going into town straightaway was a little fraught. My planning all worked perfectly thank goodness. It feels a little exotic, like being overseas, but the train is not as flash - no wireless or plug spots. It is country Victoria after all.

I have finally finished doing a financial analysis on last years spending. Umh! Didn't do so well; it seems I overspent so it is no wonder I have been struggling a bit to pay all the bills! I have been more careful this year so far but Japan is going to cost a packet. Instant noodles for the rest of the year! And a monthly budget.