It’s not a lack of ideas that have kept me from blogging in recent weeks. I have been hectically busy for reasons which may become apparent at some time, and then again, maybe not. But a recent comment on a six year old post warmed the cockles of my heart, and prompted me to reshare it – even those many of my regular followers have read it before. But! What a thrill when a relative of who you have written about takes the time to comment, and praise what you have said. As a writer, for me, that is the biggest reward of all.
This is beautifully written Gwen! And which person worth their salt, with family overseas has not taken Opal earrings as gifts for their dear ones!! In 2015, the younger son was on his 3 month rotation at Broken Hill and I wanted to visit at the time but it didn’t happen….your post is now an inspiration to do what I missed back then. Enjoyed reading it twice! Thank you!
Thank you so much Shubha. I wrote a series of blog posts on Broken Hill. We stayed eight nights, and went there by regular commuter train from Sydney – a weekly service. We have a great time! Your son must have come home with some entertaining stories. 🙂
While Sanjay worked at the Railways, our annual rail passes went begging. We never got around to using them ( including a discount on the Ghan). But we can take the train now! Be nice to start getting overseas visitors, no motivation is bigger than that. And yes our son did have imany nteresting and some not so interesting stories. He got to go on the Royal Flying Doctors plane to a place where the population is 2. Yes 2!! And what was not so pleasant was that when a patient had to be transported to a bigger city, Adelaide would push it back on Sydney and Sydney would do the same 🙁 and there was always a “fight” to be fought for the patient. I hope things have improved since 2015 in that regard.
I doubt it Shubha. Broken Hill is so remote from Sydney that they can barely understand the outback, and Adelaide is already so beset with demands from remote inhabitants that its resources are stretched to the limit in comparison to its population. The needs of the individual becomes subsumed by the process.
I love this throw back post, Gwen. Michael has always been fascinated with opals and this part of Australia, which is the only reason I knew about it before your post. I marvel at how people adjust the way they live according to the weather.
Thanks for stopping by Jolandi. It was a very interesting place to visit, but I couldn’t imagine I would ever live there myself 🙂
I don’t know why I would have missed this back then. After my time in Coober Pedy and my love of the Opal Miner I would certainly have been delighted. Anyway, better at last than never at all.
Glad it resonated with you, John.
I’ll hafta make a trip happen.
You could take the train from Melbourne to Broken Hill and use your pensioner voucher. Bill travelled free, and as a senior I had to pay a small supplement. Then we both upgraded to first class, again a small supplement. But our trip was thirteen hours. Yours is much longer. Then we hooked up with Silver City Tours.
Magic. I’ll look into it.
Interesting… How do I get in contact with you privately Garrulous Gwendoline
Hi George, through the contact page on my website https://www.gwenwilson.com.au/
I will prefer a more private contact…. Maybe your personal email address or your mobile number?
On Sat, Jul 30, 2022, 7:20 AM The Reluctant Retiree < comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote:
I am sorry George. I won’t give out my phone number over the blog. The contact form will connect to my personal email address.
Fascinating to read about opals. I remember when our Australian relatives first came to visit us in The States. They brought opal bracelets for my mother, my sister and me. The bracelets were like nothing I’d ever seen before and I became obsessed with opals. Over the years that obsession has waned but I still have my original bracelet and several other pieces which I love. Thanks for sharing this very interesting post, Gwen!
Opals make beautiful jewellery, as does the New Zealand paua shell. You just have to be careful not to get opal wet, such as having it in a ring you never take off. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. It was a little at your urging that I posted anything at all 🙂
Interesting to here your story ☺️
How lovely for you. And, I hope you’re busy with the one or is it now the two manuscripts to two books endeavour!
You hit the nail on the head. One ms is “completed”, and currently entered into two competitions that have mentoring as the prize, with potential for publication. The other will have another draft finished within the week, ready to send off to a trusted reader.
Fingers crossed and good luck!
Thank you Agnes. These are the kind of competitions, that if you win, don’t bother buying any more lottery tickets. Your allocation of good luck is exhausted 🙂
Well, maybe lady luck will smile on YOU. Here’s hoping.
I like your thinking 🙂
Hello there