No Place Like Home

Personal StoriesTravelReflectionsHome & FamilyLife AbroadAustraliaFarm Life

10 Mar

Before we dive in, a quick note: this story was originally written on December 15, 2012, for my old Wordpress blog, The Adventures of Patchegal. Though it comes from an earlier chapter of my writing life, it’s still very much a piece of me—one I’m now gathering here as part of bringing all my past adventures together in one home. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into where the journey first began.

The old family truck. Memories of earlier times on the farm

It’s hard to believe that is a month ago at this exact moment that I was saying ‘see-ya later’ to some of my amazing friends that I had made whilst I was living in Calgary.

It was an emotional time, but I have to admit I suprised myself and contained the majority of my tears. I’m not sure if this was because I was tired and lacked the energy; because I was coming home and would see family and loved ones that I had not seen for the last year and a half; or simply because I knew that this was the beginning of the next chapter of my life. Secretly, I think it was a combination of EVERYTHING.

Getting home was not a quick trip.

Calgary to L.A. A 12 hour layover in LA. LA to Melbourne. 5 hour layover in Melbourne. Melbourne to Mildura.

In total I think it was around 30+ hours, but walking across the tarmac in Mildura and spotting my niece Tamsin pressed up as close as she could get to the entrance turnstile with one of the biggest smiles on her face, made the entire journey so much more worth while. Of course there was the rest of the homecoming crowd including my Mum, complete with a ‘Welcome Home’ balloon.

It was good to be home!

The last four weeks have passed by almost in a blur (thank goodness I have photo’s). I have witnessed 2 amazing friends get married. Enjoyed a day in the beautiful Grampians. Celebrated a hen’s day floating down the mighty Murray river. Played, painted and laughed with my neices and nephews. Met the newest addition to the beautiful McLean family – Jorge. Become a ‘cricket Mum’ for our four farm kids and simply enjoyed the peace and quite, warmth and beautiful sunsets and simplicity of life that exists in this untouched place that I love and that I call home.

There truly isn’t no place like home!