Covid gave us an interesting run-around in the past few months. We took the opportunity to go back to Wamboin. Rod and Janine had offered us their home while they did their own travelling so we took that opportunity and fell into our old community like a child emerging from a bath into the winter air and being wrapped up tight in a fluffy towel. It was very cold but we were so warmed by the support of our old friends. They left us food drops and lent us school gear and helped me celebrate a significant birthday in style.
We met for frosty and peaceful early walks.
Freezing at the bus stop:
The kids went back to their old school.
They were welcomed into their old soccer teams with their old friends.
My colleagues in Bungendore were very busy running their usual practice through a busy winter and juggling telehealth whilst also trying to rollout vaccines in the town. I was lucky to get some work with them while I was there and it was so wonderful to work again with these kids, diligent people. I continue to have so much respect and affection for them.
Wamboin gave us chilly times and funny times and dinner times.
During this time a baby was born into our family and at the time of writing we have been yet unable to go to meet him but Jude Ellis Cook is dearly loved.
Covid caught up with us and we went into lockdown and our kind hosts needed their home back. We were so well supported by Suzie and Darren and their little crew.
We spent a couple of weeks in a flat in Canberra and although we loved scooting around and exploring the town it was increasingly apparent that this covid wave was not going to pass soon. It was also apparent that we weren't going to be able to see Ed until December so there was no value in staying on in Canberra in lockdown.
It was time to head up to be with Mum and Dad. They were safely ensconced in their beach house in our happy place. I wanted to be with them while Mum went through her cancer treatment and although our noisy presence wasn't restful, I think we were a welcome distraction from cancer and covid. For us it was a time of peace and rest. A time of beach and surf and bush walks and wildflowers and tennis and online bingo and art and grandparents.
The kids had the surreal experience of starting a new school online. The teachers were amazingly supportive and the kids showed once again how resilient they are.
Throughout all this Ed continued to live and work in Maningrida. He is studying so hard and working as best he can to deliver meaningful education to the kids of Maningrida. He has been terribly lonely as none of the visits we planned have eventuated though he does have Max! He was vaccinated unconventionally in the middle of the street! He is so close to graduating with his Masters and just 6 weeks remain now before we can be reunited.
In the past few weeks we moved into our new house. There was the usual boxy, dusty chaos which, with the help of mum and dad has slowly cleared into a home. The Reeves folk took one for the team and did a whole day of home-school-with-6 to facilitate some serious unpacking!
A home complete with books and flowers and Leila the lovely doggy, returned to us at last!
The children started their new school proper and have yet to come home with a frown on their faces. Everyone has been so welcoming and lovely. I have kicked off with a couple of new jobs. One in the local GP-led Emergency department and another in a respiratory clinic. I'm getting used to long days in PPE!
We are enjoying the perks of city life! The kids have begun swimming lessons and nippers. We've been to skate parks and playgrounds. Inner city Halloween was a whole new experience! I am enjoying good coffees and the occasional luxury of what the children call Delivery-doo! We have been able to catch up with some old friends already but more of that lies ahead. Ed's family have been to visit though poor Andy is in hospital following a terrible fall. There are still some obstacles ahead for us but we have opened the door to our new life and stepped through. Ed will join us soon and borders will open for a broader family reunion. We are so grateful in these uncertain times for our health and financial security and the love and support of our family and friends. It is time to close this blog as we close this chapter in our lives. Thanks for joining us on this adventure!
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