βLife isn't about waiting for the storm to pass…It's about learning to dance in the rain.β
β Vivian Greene
It was Monday morning. We had a flat battery and our seven week house sitting stint had been cancelled before it had even started due to the poor health of one of the owners. The flat battery was an easy one to correct as our camping neighbour was happy to give us a jump start. Not having a place to live for seven weeks was another issue! We saw the quote above in a shop window in Ballina and decided to start dancing, heading south from Lismore towards Port Macquarie where I needed to be on Friday for an interview with the Department of Education.
Our first two camp sites were cheap, colourful and slightly surreal. Grafton Greyhound Racing Club Caravan Park was our first stop where a dog show was about to start. We woke to the site of fluffy dogs with ribbons in their hair like the one below!
Prices for two people: $17 for an unpowered site. $23 for a powered site. Toilet and shower block. hot showers. Fluffy dogs with ribbons not guaranteed!
We had ANOTHER flat battery in the morning and this time it was the greyhound track caretaker's tractor that came to our rescue!!!
Maggie went straight to an auto electrician and returned to the road with a new battery and a new solenoid and starter button to manually engage the glob plugs before starting.
We stayed an extra night in Coff's as we had been invited to dinner by Kate, Allan and Renee, our friend Kel's family. We used the extra time during the day to make some new curtains for Maggie. It is amazing what a secondhand donna cover, a pair of scissors and some pegs can do.
Bonny Hills Holiday Park outside of Port Macquarie was our next stop. The words of wisdom outside the office door seemed to be speaking to us!
I have never stepped straight out of a camper van to attend an interview before. I have also never had an interview at such a random time…………………. 2:11pm!!! The interview was a success and I now have my approval to teach in NSW………the first of many hurdles to getting a job here!!!
House sitting job in Lismore??? What house sitting job? We are enjoying our freedom and our chance to dance in the rain!
Anne says:
Some great photos
Congratulations on your license to teach in NSW!!!!!!
Caroline and Paul says:
There’s free accomm with some curtains in Beechworth!
mary says:
Happy travelling and good luck job hunting. Was gr8 seeing you again. Cheers from the Ville.
Jason Blanche says:
Keep dancing my friend
Carol morris says:
Love the pics hope you are both well thought you were giving up teaching!!!!Zaki is waiting for you to adopt him!!! he was one last Wednesday love to you both xxx
Sigrid says:
A very inspiring story! Let’s keep on reminding eachother that dancing in the rain is a crucial part on the way to happiness!
Lisa James says:
Love it Karen and Nick! Keep on dancing π