Traveling And Receiving Mail

   Years ago when I first started to travel this vast land I was stuck for ways of receiving my mail, with letters chasing me and mail everywhere. Stumbling across the mail forwarding services that are provided in Australia today was my lifesaver.

   For the first 12 months I used a service which I found rather expensive and not as friendly and reliable as I would have liked. I then came across Karin and Marten of Post Haste Australia. Not only are they cheaper than most others but you could not ask for two more professional friendly people. All it takes is an email or phone call and your mail is promptly sent to the post office or address of your request. All your letters and parcels are bundled into the one package so it is guaranteed that none will go astray. If required they will also send a fax or email on your behalf or make that important telephone call. At $22 per month plus postage costs there is no better way to be sure you keep in touch and bills find you.

  Last time I was traveling and using Post Haste little Celeste was born. She was the first baby to be born to the service. The time that Karin and Marten took to welcome my daughter and congratulate me was way beyond the service that is asked of them. I have now been using Post Haste for many years, they have become a very welcome part of my family.

  So when the idea of Good Gabble was born and we felt the need to spread the positivity around Australia I had no hesitation to contact Post Haste. Not only was I welcomed back with a kind disposition and friendly phone call but was even given my old membership number. It had been at least two years since I had spoken to Karin and Marten yet they still knew who I was and spoke like I had never left.

   Most will have noticed that the postal address within Good Gabble is C/- Post Haste Australia. They have kindly sponsored us for the first 12 months of our journey and we hope they will be with us for the long term. There kindness and support in getting Good Gabble off the ground and spreading positivity is greatly appreciated.

  We highly recommend the service of Post Haste. Having your mail forwarded, anytime, anywhere you want is never too hard for Karin and Marten. So if you are going to be away from home, be it just a month or years, drop Post Haste a line and let your mail be there problem.

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A Wonderful Four Days.....

  We are still in Mt Gambier SA where we have been awaiting Samantha to obtain her drivers licence. She has succeed at this so when our final commitments are over in two weeks we will be moving on.

  Over the last four days the rain has left us and the sun has blessed us with its rays. It has not been overly warm with a maximum of 17 but it has been a blessed welcome. Our nights have been cold at a minimum of 2 degrees but with plenty of blankets sleeping in the tent is not too bad, at least we don't have to worry about the leaks of rain.

   On Friday as I was walking our dog around the caravan park I was approached by an elderly lady who is a permanent resident who asked if Alexander would like to earn some money and prune her garden for her. I let her know that we would be more than willing to help her out and that I would come around with Alex the next morning. Alexander has Autism which causes a degree of high anxiety and confussion when coping with unaided work and direction. He also does not socialise well with others, especially those he has not meant before.Mentioning the task to him caused anxiety but I reassured him that I would do it with him as I felt it would be a good experience.

  The next morning we set off after breakfast to help out our new elderly friend. She gave us instructions as to what plants she wanted pruned and we set out spending our morning cutting, weeding and digging. A fun morning was had by all, even little Celeste, as we discovered, snails, slugs, bugs and worms. The elderly lady was delighted with our work as we not only pruned but weeded all garden beds and her pot plants. We swept her verandah and gave it a general clean up. Upon completion we spent time sitting on the verandah discussing caravan park life and her flowers. She was delighted with the company and the interest we took in her garden, with Samantha taking photo's of her flowers. She enjoyed the company of a three year old who she stated she watches run around the park during the day. We achieved a lot that morning. We made a new friend, spent time together, soaked up the sunshine, got exercise, learnt new things and made someone else happy. Although we insisted she did not pay Alex for the job, as it was our pleasure to help, she kindly gave him $5, a token gesture from an old lady who does not have much. She informed us that she was 83 and the gardening had just got " a little to much for her back"

Alexander hard at work

A team effort

Weeding and pruning done!

My favourite - the colours are amazing.

 



I am amazed at how such a little gesture and task can make all feel better about themselves. The next morning we all awoke feeling refreshed and bubbly so packed a picnic lunch and headed 25 km's down the road to Port MacDonnell for some more sunshine and the beach. Port MacDonnell is a small crayfishing town. Not really thinking about the fact that, although the sun was shining, it was only 17 degrees our visit to Port MacDonnell was that of a short one as the wind blew with a chill factor of zero. We still went for a stroll on the beach and sat in the park to play and have lunch but only seemed to pass a couple of hours of the day.

  When driving home we came across a sign that said Mt Schank Volcano so off we turned to the right and drove 2 km's down the road. Now this was where we were meant to be. As we turned into the carpark we looked at the beautiful picnic ground and countryside and new time would be spent here. Since we had eaten lunch we set out to read the information signage close by with the thought of taking the bushwalk to the top of the volcano. Moderate level of fitness, 30 minute round trip, some stairs - how difficult could that be. Off we set.

   We walked a few metres onto the path and there before us where SOME stairs - a steep long climb that looked like it would never end. The eldest two were up to it but I had my second thoughts when little Celeste strongly suggested she be carried. I strongly suggested we stay here so off set Sam and Alex, with the dog eagerly at their heels.
 
  Well that was enough for Celeste. She was out of my arms and climbing the stairs, some so high and steep that she had to use her hands to pull herself up. Holding my hand but refusing help she set her sight on the seats that were place along the climb and reached each one. We would then sit and admire the view until she was up again and climbing. I let her set the pace and we enjoyed each others company. She made it about halfway before we were met by Sam and Alex on their way back, they lost count of the stairs after 199. Celeste was happy that they were back and she had achieved as far as she had and walked, or jumped, down the steps all the way to the bottom. Everyone gave her hi-5's when she got there and told her she was a little trooper. After a drink I took her to the toilet where she beamed with joy telling me she was a big girl and stated " I'm a little trooper mum" He new found confidence and self esteem was more than enough of a reward for me. On that day she taught me two things - " No mountain is so big you cannot climb it" and  " If you set your mind on anything you can achieve it"

Alex next to Mt Schank volcano

The volcano hole

What a view!

    Upon returning back to the caravan park that afternoon our elderly friend approached me and asked if I would like a fold up stretcher bed for my tent as she felt at least one of us would sleep more warmly than on the floor. She was cleaning her shed and had not used it for some years so thought it may come in handy for us. I thanked her dearly and set off with her to collect it. It was at the back of her shed and in order to get it I had to move boxes. When I was about to place the boxes back she asked me to leave them near the door so she could clean them out. I suggested I place them somewhere so she would not have to bend or move them as some where heavy. She smiled and thanked me and the boxes where placed on a table for sorting. We had both paid it forward as she helped me and I helped her.  That night Celeste and I squeezed onto the bed in the tent and had the best nights sleep we have had in a long time.

   Today was another day of helping out and feeling good. After weeding the first garden it seems as though Alex has become in demand for his services. Since we have been her a gentleman, who is also a permanent resident, lost his wife to sudden death. She was at work, being only in her 50's, where she collapsed and was found dead some hours later, as she was working alone at the time. The cause is yet unknown but a heart attack has been ruled out. It has been a hard few weeks for this gentleman and our heart goes out to him with the sudden loss of his wife at such a young age. It has surely reinforced in myself to be thankful for each day we have and to enjoy the time we have with our loved ones. Today our new elderly lady friend approached us and asked if we would weed the garden for this gentleman as he had commented on the lovely job we had done on her garden. She stated that the garden belonged to his wife who was passionate about her plants but he did not have time to weed. He wanted to know if we could do it for him as keeping it neat meant a lot to him. This put a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. We were more than willing to oblige and set out this afternoon weeding his garden with the thoughts of a women we did not know in our minds and hearts, feeling the love she shared for her garden and her husband and the loss he felt for her. He was at work at the time of our gardening so I did not get a chance to give him my condolences but hope we left behind our respects in each weed we pulled and each piece of dirt we turned. We hope we left it as nice as his wife would have liked it.


  We have had a wonderful, fulfilling and enlightening four days.........We hope yours has been just as good..........

Live well........ Love well..........Laugh often................

blog by Jennifer Deaves  Photographs Samantha Lo (c)

Mothers Day!

   Today is mothers day and what a better way to spend it than with my three babies and the freedom of life. After weeks of rain and nasty weather the sun has even decided to bless us with its rays making the day brighter and more cheery.

  So how did you spend your mothers day? Were you showered in presents with breakfast in bed or was the love of your children all you needed. For me it was the later. The children would have liked to have given me a mothers day present and still today feel guilty that they have not but money is tight so it was not to be. This is not an issue to me and I am sure my children understand this. To me mothers day, or any day that society relates to one day of the year, is really put forward for marketing and consumerism reasons. Why do we need one day of a year to show someone how special they are. My children do this each day in a lot of ways.

  Each morning as I wake up to their smiling faces and cheering good mornings I feel blessed to be given the chance of being their mum. I very rarely argue with my children as we are open, honest and great friends. We live with the only rule being that we respect each other and treat each other as we would like to be treated.This works well for us, with the children very rarely fighting. I often have old ladies in the caravan parks take the time to congratulate me on my well behaved children, commenting on the family unit and how well we work together. This is the best present I can get and it isn't even on mothers day.

  As I sit typing this little Celeste comes and hands me a hair clip asking me to put it in my hair. As I clip it in she reaches out to me and with an angelic smile and cuddle says "I love you mummy" I thank her and tell her I love her too. She looks up at me and says " You look pretty with your hair tie in mummy" What better present could I ask for. At nearly three she has many times during her day to tell me she loves me and plant a kiss on me.Then there are the flowers (weeds) picked, along with mushrooms and snails that we share. There are the beautiful drawings, the playdough creatures and the pretend cups of tea. This is all her showing that she loves me and appreciates me in her own way. Of course there are the two year old tantrums but, although at times I too become frustrated, I know that this is normal and will one day pass.

  Although older, my other two children also have their way of showing they care. There are the facebook messages, even when I am in the same van, and the text messages when they are away from me. There is the cuddles and I love you's. There is the understanding when they cannot go somewhere as we have no money and the sharing of there last five cents to get us through the week. They help me clean, cook, wash and set up camp. They are wonderful with their little sister and nothing is ever too hard. There is the sharing of each little achievement. Even when I am not with them they take the time to ring me when something wonderful happens to tell me about it.

So when the kids asked what I wanted for mothers day and they realised we had no money I told them I had all I wanted - them in my life and their love.Today Samantha will cook me chocolate biscuits at the camp kitchen and I got a coffee in bed. Today I share my day with my children just like I would every day. My kids are my world and it is me who should be thanking them for being in my life and giving me joy.

 To all mothers I wish you a happy mothers day and hope it was a great one........To me mothers day is every day. I am blessed.

What we have learnt in three months

  On the 15th of May we will have been on the road with Good Gabble for three months. So what have we learnt?

1. That you can never predict one day from another as the unexpected will always happen.

2. That living in a small space together takes a lot of patience and understanding but also leads to a lot of laughter and fun.

3. Never to sweat on the small things as just when you think things are tough something wonderful happens.

4. That there are definitely not enough hours in a day - there is so much of this world to see and explore.

5. That no matter how organised you think you are there is always something that stops you being where you want to be, but then maybe you weren't meant to be there anyway.

6. That the world is full of the most amazing and wonderful people and there is not enough hours to meet and talk with them all.

7. That nature is the most amazing thing.

8. That we were right - we do not need those material possessions. The bread maker I just had to have stopped working the other day. Did you know you can make Foccacia by hand? Absolutely amazing!

9. That you can cook anything on the BBQ and it tastes much nicer than on the oven.

10. That you can feed a family of 4 using only one small gas cooker.

11. That you only cook what you are going to eat and if you cook to much then you have to eat it.

12. A small caravan fridge does not hold enough food for a family of 4.

13. That we really do over shop when buying the groceries and that less is better.

14. That you can do amazing things with dehydrated peas and tinned 4 bean mix.

15. That marshmallows taste wonderful toasted in the open fire but go up in flames if held there too long.

16.That magpies are a gift from nature. There is nothing nicer than a morning and evening chorus from the magpies at your van door.

17. That our dog will not pee in the freezing cold early in the morning on the wet grass.

18. Fresh air and the great outdoors really does lift ones spirit

19. That working together as a team not only makes the load lighter but is a lot more fun.

20. That there is a lot more to life than television, houses and societies 'norm'


And most of all.......That if you believe in yourself and what you set out to achieve anything is possible


Live well........Love well...........Laugh often.............................

 

Raining Cats and Dogs

  How's your sanity? Mine is wearing thin as it rains cats and dogs but I shall continue to remind myself why mother nature does this. It has been raining here for nearly two weeks. There is no escaping it when you live in a 12 foot van and tent. With the only space to move being that of about 60cm in size you soon learn to be patient. With a three year old, two older children, a labrador x kelpie and myself in the van life couldn't be more snug. Amazing what you can do sitting on a bed.

  Nothing has escaped the wet. The towels don't dry as where do you hang them. The floor is a bog as the dog and children run in and out. And the washing, well what can I say. If only going nude wasn't illegal. The washing continues to pile up with more than usual as everything gets covered in mud. I am beginning to think I need to buy a lottery ticket just so I can wash and dry our clothes. At $3 a machine load and then $1 for 10 minutes in the dryer you surely only wash when really necessary. I did two loads of washing the other day to find myself $20 worse off. I hand wash on a regular basis but in this weather they never dry and where does one hang them.

  To top things off the tent has sprung a leak at the seams and a bird, bless him, sat on the roof and tore a hole in the top, providing us with our own personal shower. No prob I thought as I siliconed the hole just as  the tent zipper broke. Solution - layby a new tent that is 25 feet long. Three large rooms to move around in and  a little privacy with internal doors that zip up.Beats the van, now just to find the money to pay for it! Does anyone know a company willing to swap a tent for free promotion?

  So how does Good Gabble continue to get published in such  a little space that is wet. This has been a challenge that we have actually enjoyed overcoming and one that has given us focus and sanity. My notebook is my savour as I sit in my corner of the bed with it on my lap typing away and answering emails. Of course my mobile sleeps snugly under the pillow I am leaning on. My baby girl sits beside me with her box of pens and pencils, paper and her "my first computer". She talks to herself as she writes and types telling mummy that she is working on her Good Gabble. It is actually quiet peaceful and sweet, showing us how she feels she fits in to this mad world we now call life.

  So that covers the compiling of Good Gabble but during all of this the time to print catches up with us. What to do? The printer must come out of hiding and we must lay newzine after newzine out for stapling and mailing. A solution is always close by. In between showers we pile printer, paper, computer, envelopes, stapler and, of course, the coffee and cups into the car and drive down to the camp kitchen. What a blessing! Two large tables, power, a kettle and heaps of room to move. There is even a television, which we do not have by choice and have not seen in weeks. Celeste spreads out happily on the floor with her cars and teddies. The cleaner comes in, takes one look and with a smile comments on how busy we look. Never loosing the opportunity to promote Good Gabble we set about explaining what we are all about and offer him a copy, another bonus. By the end of the day we have not only had an enjoyable time chatting to all who use the camp kitchen but we have Good Gabble printed and ready to post. So when reading your hardcopy of May Good Gabble smile and think of the challenge and enjoyment that went into getting it from my computer to your door.

  So who am I to complain about the rain for  rain is a blessing from the clouds. With the drought not far behind us the rain is really a welcome gift. I sit, freezing and wet, and think of all that need this rain. The plants, the animals, the earth. Life as we know it relies on this precious commodity so the washing can wait and we can amuse ourselves. Things will dry out before we know it. The sun teases us occasionally. It is when the sun shines and the flowers bloom and the rivers run that one sees the wonders of nature.

 As it rains I enjoy the simple things in life that we to often overlook and don't appreciate. The racing of the raindrops down the window, the snails, big and small, the frogs that croak and the slugs that leave a trail. We giggle with joy as we jump in a puddle and the water sprays up our legs. We study muddy footprints, wondering where they lead and who they belong to. We sit for ages admiring and talking of rainbows and pots of gold. We dream as the sun glistens off the autumn leaves. But most of all we share our little space, our haven, when we would otherwise be running here and there too busy to care.Rain - life sure would be boring without it.