My final two days in Melbourne were spent on the couch feeling awful (Monday) and final organisation and goodbyes (Tuesday). Strangely enough, the most scary moment of my trip came about on Tuesday evening, lined up on the pier, waiting to board. I had about an hours wait between security and getting out of my car and I was terrified!! I have been on the boat before- this trip made crossing number five, but this was the first time I had done it a) solo, b) on wheels and c) as the driver. Those things combined, made it a really scary experience. I hadn't even thought it might be an issue until I got there and my heart was racing and I could me myself wanting to be anywhere but on that pier... I had been looking forward to it- it wasn't meant to be scary!
I eventually settled down and was guided into a prime parking spot beside the lift. The staff were very helpful and got me out a ramp to get into the lift.
While I was waiting to board, I had noticed a couple of horse trucks also waiting. Being the sticky beak I am, I had a look to see if I knew anyone. As it happened, I did, so I sent Jo, an ex-jockey from Tassie, a text and we met up on board. One of the horses she was carting had a few nerves too and had had to be reloaded on the pier.Good to see I wasn't the only one feeling a bit anxious...
After my shakey start, the boat trip actually went pretty smoothly. The only one hic-cup I had was when I went to leave the boat. When I had got on, the staff had all been very helpful directing me and helping me up the steps. When I went to leave however, there was no one to be seen! Good thing I can get down steps by myself, or I think I would have been heading back to the reception desk.
It has become a bit of a family tradition with us to stop off at Uncle Graeme's (Mum's youngest brother) when we get off the boat in Devonport, so I had a family breakfast with them before the final leg of my journey. It is amazing how travel can make you appreciate the beauty of your own back yard. I found myself taking in the countryside in a whole new light.
Since arriving home, there have been several things have noticed about Tasmania. For instance, I had never really appreciated Tasmania's sped limits. Our three major highways are all 110km/h. Mostly just two lanes, with the occasional overtaking lane, and no lane divider up the centre. Yet we have very few head on collisions. Maybe its because we have less traffic. Speaking of traffic, in Launceston, peak hour last 15 minutes and two blocks!!! These are wonderful little treasures we tend to underestimate when we experience them everyday. At this point, I would like you to look up Hometown, by Carrie Underwood. It always reminds me just how lucky I am to belong to such an amazing small town community.
Not long after I arrived home, I lost a good friend. I had been going to visit him and his wife on the way back from the boat and had put it off because I was tired. I missed my chance. If you take nothing else from this post, take this. Don't put off spending time with your loved ones because you never know when they may be taken away from you, when it will be too late. I discovered Zac Brown Band while I was away and their song Who Knows was one I listened to a lot over those first few weeks.
The last two months since I arrived home have seen some exciting things happen. After my scholarship application experience in Birdsville, I was much more organised with I got to the next lot. I was very excited to get interviews for all three of the scholarships I applied for, which I will be attending later this week, so wish me luck!
I have also been riding in a western saddle after Kristy (in Tawoomba) got me thinking. I went for a ride up the bush with Ellie, Keygan and Hayden a few weeks ago. Everything was going great until we were riding through the lake and Ellie tried to splash me with her horse, right when I went to trot out of the water. Shamrock, my horse has a very sensitive go button, so when he thought we were racing, he went to take off!! Fortunately Ellie worked out what was going on pretty quick and jumped off her horse (still in the lake) to grab me so I wouldn't fall off. By this stage I had stopped Shamrock, but I still needed her to hold him while I pulled myself back up on top from down his shoulder. All in all it was an exhilarating ride and we all made it home in one piece. Since then I have borrowed a barrel racing saddle, with a much deeper seat, from a friend and I have found that even better. I was even able to canter Shamrock around the paddock at home, something I haven't been able to do since my accident. The first time he cantered I was pulling him back to a walk straight away, then I realised that I hadn't moved or slipped in the saddle like I usually do! So I am now in the process of buying a new saddle, which is very exciting! I haven't got a horse to go under it yet though. So if anyone knows of a quiet, sound, cheap horse that might suit me, please let me know!!
I would like to thank everyone who voted for and shared the documentary Owen Elliot made about me. We didn't win, but it was one of a select few showed on the silver screen at Fox Studios at the presentations, and was very well received. It is also part of Focus On Ability Film Festival airing on Aurora (Foxtel 183) at 7pm tonight (2/12/12). Personally, looking at the videos that did win various categories I think the judges may have been looking for subjects with intellectual disabilities. I don't know if I'm allowed to say that, if its politically correct, but that was how it appeared to me.
I have one final song to leave you with, Scotty McCreery's Dirty Dishes. Great song about seeing the good in the bad.
My one other piece of news if my mare foaled and we have now a gorgeous little filly, Missy. She is doing very well, though still deciding if she wants to be a racehorse or a bronc! She s very friendly though!
Well, I guess that's it for me for now. Thank you all for your support and encouragement over this journey. It was so good to know I had friends behind me all the way. This adventure may be over, but its only one chapter in a pretty kick arse book.
Just imagine the places these boots won't walk..
Distance travelled: 90km
Time travelled: 1 hour
TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 12, 480km!!!! (plus another 2000 or so to Birdsville)
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