Housesitting at Swan Cove, Raymond Island
One day, when I was in China, I had a lovely conversation during a phone call with Kirsten from my favourite Workaway place back in Victoria, Australia. She was telling me, that she had just booked her well-deserved holiday and asked me if I would be interested in Housesitting for her.
Well, what do you think my answer was?
Of course it was a definte YES – straight from the heart – without hesitating! Even if that meant changing my plans to go to Nepal and learn more Tai Chi with Tony. I couldn’t think of a better place to return to and to reflect on everything I had experienced during the last eleven months of travelling.
Home sweet Home
I have mentioned it already before; Swan Cove on Raymond Island feels like “Home sweet Home” to me.
After all this time, I still haven’t figured out WHY exactly. The mountains are too far away for my taste. But NATURE is all around me, in the most peaceful way.
To enter the front door, I have to pass tall Eucalyptus and Banksia trees, all reaching high into the sky. The sound of the chooks, and the sight of bunnies happily hopping around when I’m lucky enough to spot them. In the late afternoon, a Koala wanders around, wondering which tree to pick next. Kangaroos, this time most of them carrying a little Joey, graze on the lawn, not at all afraid of me. One young female Roo, often the first one to show up, has become especially friendly with me.
Yesterday I even spotted an Echidna! A beautiful creature with its long, thin snout!
And last but not least… the endless variety of colourful birds. The Rosellas impatiently waiting for me in the morning, giving me “the look“, so I will “serve” them breakfast first, before doing anything else!
The pinkish-grey Galahs,the fluffly-headed Kookaburras with their impressive beaks, the huge white Cockatoos with yellow crowns – sometimes coming kind of scarily close to me – the colourful Rainbow Lorikeets, and yes, even the Magpies make me happy!
Except for the one attacked my helmet the other day, when I was cycling to the IGA supermarket at Paynesville.
At the back door on the other hand… the beach with view to Metung! What more can I say: it’s PARADISE!
Community life
Before Kirsten left, she introduced me to some friends from her neighbourhood. Tom came along to introduce himself, and he and his wife, Jane, would be my “back-up” people. How wonderful!
On Sundays, they hav an informal coffee gathering. And guess what? I was invited!
Both Tom and Jane are the kind of people who make you intantly feel at home. Even though the kindness around the world doesn’t surprise me anymore, I still feel a great sense of gratitude every time it happens.
Having “family” and “homes” all over the world is the mosts wonderful thing one can experience!
AFL
Apart from the Sunday-Coffee, I was asked to join them for an AFL (Australian Football) game one evening. The Hawks (Melbourne) where playing against the Lions (Brisbane). I was promised good food and the unique possibility of learning an interesting variety of swearing words!
Who can reject an offer like that?
It was a fantastic and very entertaining game, keeping me focused until the very end! Unfortunately, the Hawks lost to the Lions in the last few minutes.
But wat a game!
Road Trips in the Triumph
After coffee, most Sundays I actually take the “day off”. Dave is always willing to take me in his red Triumph, to explore the surroundings of Paynesville. I have already visited most places, but we always manage to add something new to the itinerary!
I am in love, with the feeling that car gives me! The wind through my hair… it is almost like when I owned my motorbike! The sense of freedom, the feeling of happiness that comes over me, are priceless!
Yoga
Since Kirsten is not here, an amazing woman called Denise – who turns out to be eighty-two today (!) – takes over her Chair Yoga classes at the RSL in Paynesville. I am able to attend her classes if I want to. And of course I do so as often as I can!
I even manage, although unfortunately only once, to get Dave to join me. It is such a good thing to do for mobility – I recommend it to everyone!
Besides, Kirsten told me about Deborah, another Yoga teacher on the Island. So, whenever time allows, I attend her Yoga Flow classes (mainly Vinyasa Yoga). Afterwards, I am invited to join the group for coffee!
Both Raymond Island and Paynesville are places with a caring community of people.
I feel more than welcome here – and sooooo blessed!
Girl Power
Soon Kirsten will be back, and Liz – another fascinating woman – I met here the last time I stayed on Raymond Island. Liz has just finished her adventurous kayak tour on the Edward River. I am so looking forward to hearing all about it!
Swan Cove is Paradise to me, but Kirsten is the soul! I miss having her around. It was a great pleasure to have her trust and to be in charge. Looking after the chooks, the veggie garden, the cottages, baking all sorts of Sourdough products…. I enjoyed each single chore!
I can’t wait to spend my last days here together with her, catching up on life, having a warm hug and sharing stories.
I had enough time, while looking after her cosy home, to reflect on my year of travelling and to prepare myself for my next chapter.
Yes, many of you have asked me when I am going to earn some money again.
All so jealous of my jobless life!
Hahahaha!
Well, that time has come now.
I have accepted a job as a receptionist in Norway, starting on 15 October.
It’s a very charming 5-star luxury hotel with two Michelin keys – a secluded retreat on a hillside above the Storfjord and the Sunnmøre Alps. I am very much looking forward to it!
So next week, I will take a plane back to my beloved Zillertal, grab some winter clothes, spend some quality time with friends, and off I go!
Wish me luck!
