the fifo wife

Glued to the telly, I watched her walk down the stairs. I then watched her husband follow her down the stairs; both of them walked down without using the handrails. They didn’t stumble. No one even looked concerned that they might. There was no personal assistant or valet hovering about to swoop on in just in case.

I looked at them again on the telly equally impressed because frankly the stairs and I have a checkered past. Getting up can be difficult coming down more so as without fail there isn’t a set of steps I have used that I haven’t fallen or tripped up. Coordination and navigation are challenges set to me by the universe and unlike her, my husband is always on hand ready to catch me as I fall. I kid you not.

I called my mother. Were you watching I asked? Did you see the way they moved up and down those stairs I said?

Yes, she replied wondering where this was going.

And did you see how fit she was. How unfrazzled or fogged she looked. I was struck by her grace.

It’s in their breed my mother said like she was talking about a gelding horse on show.

Do you think I said fascinated because I’m serious in how awestruck I am by her agility.

Yeah just look at the Flannings she said. The Flannings are my mother’s neighbours  and are so fit. And if we are to compare, they are geldings while yes I or we could be considered asses. And she probably does a lot of exercises my mother added after some thought.

Yeah, I said, but what I mean she was on the ball she almost skipped down those stairs. I can’t even do that I said.

And walking I reckon she does lots of walking said mum giving her final bit.

Stairs to I finished with there would be a shite load of stairs in her place. That and she would have the best of everything as well I said. Best medical care, cosmetic care and chefs but still she just seems so alert and well on the ball that doesn’t just happen either.

Yes well, you know said mum it’s in the breed she said again.

I don’t think the breed has anything to do with it- except for their skin. I said. They have such beautiful skin; it’s so translucent and blemishes free again like we were talking about a breed of horses.

I want to be like her I said finally. I wonder what she does I followed up with. I must have sounded ludicrous to my mother, and I’m sure that this point she thought that girl has spent far to much time on her own because there was a  long silence that usually indicates where do we go from here scenario.

And so ever since then I have been researching, stalking, I have even written to her. Well not to her but her people. I want to be like her but let me tell you they give out squat on her ‘routine’.

Who you may ask? Who has become my sudden health idol? Who has me walking more? Eating turmeric, gobbling MSM capsules, walking stairs, attempting yoga, doing crosswords and playing fit brain like my 39-year-old brain depends on it.

It’s the Queen.

Scoff you may but that woman is 90 years old, and she has more sass than Michelle Bridges after a round at the gym. She is growing old gracefully and while she has her fair share of luxury she has had her fair share of worries and yet look at her. If you were watching her at her Jubilee, she practically ran down the stairs without the handrail. Without the handrail people. I can’t even contemplate the stairs without a handrail; I am that woman who will veer to the far side of the room to grab a wall to support herself.

And as surprised as I am that it’s the Queen I’m aspiring to and not some strong bikini-clad woman that’s it in a nutshell a sign perhaps I am spending too much time on my own or I’m just being real. And while I’m not sure I want to live to 90 I sure as hell want to be my best version of it. I want to die in my own bed having climbed in myself knowing I have wiped my own bum and chin the night before.

Long live the Queen.

xxDeb

{image with thanks to here}

We hadn’t intended on doing a second trip to Darwin but when my mother texted one afternoon with ‘they think I have a blood clot in my broken leg’ my husband screamed we got to go.

Trouble is I’m in penny-pinching over drive, so all our dollars are in accounts that take days to access because well we have no contract after the 23 of August and Im taking no chances. So I’m hiding away most of what we can, however, this brought a lesson to mind have an account that doesn’t take days to access, common sense I know but I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Regardless of getting a family of five up to Darwin on short notice is a lot of money and not wanting to beg, borrow and not wanting to go into debt on the credit card (And knowing my mother is bred tough and bred harder to kill) and without fail, she did not have a blood clot. What she did have was a severe case of the blues something left untreated is just as deadly. So began the magic and being magician, I am with money my tax accountants words, not mine, we combined our pool of frequent flyers and viola we got five fares for the next day and with the grace of all that is mighty a relocation campervan van back.

The flight to Darwin from my home town is a cool and easy 2.5 plane flight. The road trip home is around 23 hours not including breaks or over nights easy for two adults sharing the driving not so much for three boys. When we did our first road trip together as a family, I vowed I would never do another one again and told my husband so. I will never travel with you in a car with the kids again I hissed after two hours of hell however since then we have done three major road trips. Two home from the Norther Territory and one Cairns to Melbourne. All were awesome, and it’s now something I look forward to- I know who am I?

While the last few hours of travel can make things weary the whole road trip vibe is something I love but it like most good things require some planning and so here are a few things to make road trips much more enjoyable.

1. Stop lots. If you’re doing a road trip over a sprint, stop at every major stop. It allows the kids to burn off energy, the driver to refresh and its the whole point of the ‘trip’ is to see new stuff.
2. Snack at the stops and consider what snacks you have. If your kid reacts to sugar, don’t hand jelly snakes every twenty minutes that’s just crazy stupid. Have a small esky filled with nuts, fruit, water, etc. buy yourself a $15 bunsen burner and make yourself a coffee and tea. Those little hot plates are perfect for cooking up some sausages and bread roadside.
3. Pack ‘old school’ activities into the seat pockets over electronic devices. For long trips rotate activities stored in back packs that can also be hung on the back of seats.
4. For each of the big trips back from Darwin where there is little to see or stop at I brought cheap $5 activities from Kmart and the reject shop. I gave two out each day one just after morning tea and another after afternoon tea. I also packed snap lock bags of Lego, brought new colouring books and new novels.
5. Keep electronic devices for the tough moments. We tried to keep electronic devices for when the chorus of ‘are we there yet’ started.
6. Try and do some driving when the kids are sleeping. While we cope okay with hours in chairs, I think it’s hard to ask for a kid to do so.
7. Play audio books. We listened to the whole Harry Potter Series and the Martian on our trips home from the NT. Kids loved them.
8. Talk to each other sounds simple enough but it’s the whole point of being trapped in a car together isn’t it? Play games like ispy, truth or dare, 20 questions and I’m going on a picnic.

Most of all have fun, enjoy the sights and the company of those with you.

xxDeb

 

 

Last swing home husband and I took ourselves and the boys to Darwin. It’s fast becoming a regular haunt for us now especially since my parents are still there, and so we are quickly reacquainting ourselves with her with this being our third trip this year. We are refinding in some instances our favourite places.

I was born and raised in Darwin until I left in 2000 to be with my husband in his then Cairns posting with the defence force. So whilst there has been some change it’s not changed all that much Darwins lifestyle; I think, will always stay the same. Laid back and completly relaxed. I equate it to entering the twilight zone because Darwin runs on its own time and despite its many conveniences, it’s far from the fast paced life of southern cities.

When to go.

There are just two seasons in the Territory, the wet and the dry. The dry is the best time to go which is between May and October. The humidity between these months is low and so is like a nice southern summers day.

Where to eat.

Darwin is a literal melting pot of multiculturalism and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out.

Personally, I have a big tug of war between my two favourites restaurants for both Asian and Indian. The first is Nirvana located on Dashwood cresent and Hunuman in the Performing Art Centre.

Hot Tamale, Darwin Waterfront. They make some of the best Tacos I have ever tasted and their service is exceptional but if I can make an additional recommendation it is to have a Tommy Margherita; sensational.

Laneway Cafe, Parap Village. The coffee at the Lane way is the best I have tasted in Darwin and along with its modern interior, orgainic menu its a must visit.

Where to hang:

The wave pool. For just $7 you can hang out at the wave pool all day and with waves reaching 1.2 metres it’s a perfect place to relax. Best of all its croc and stinger free.

The free water park in Leayner is another great spot also completely free with a large pool, water playground and two water slides it’s a great place to cool off with little ones.

Museum. I am a lover of the Darwin museum despite its small stature it packs an enormous punch on its art quality. Sitting nestled on the beach the views from its top floor windows is enough to keep you there for hours its has the most beautiful collection of Aboriginal art. It also has a permanent gallery for Cyclone Tracey and of the animal spices of the Northern Territory, but my favourite is the two exhibition spaces that are filled with either local exhibitions or travelling exhibitions from across the country.

Markets. Darwin boasts some of the best food markets in Australia I think with four of them happening across the weekend. The first of the Markets start on Thursday night at Mindle Beach. The markets start at 5 pm and go through to 9 pm. This market is huge and if you want to grab a spot on the sand eat your dinner and see the sun go down head down early with your blanket or chairs because it can be chaotic in the later hours. The food on offer ranges from fresh plates of seafood to Dutch pancakes. Mindle also does another smaller market on Sunday afternoons. Other markets held are Parap Markets at the Parap Village and Nightcliff Markets at the Nightcliff Village. Both starts from 7 am to noon its a great spot for breakfast again a great showcase of food and crafts on offer. Another smaller but older market that I would frequent as a kid is the Rapid Creek Market at the Rapid Creek Village. This market is a more authentic Asian market with many fresh Asian vegetables and foods available.

Crocasauras  croc park located in the middle of the city. Its a little pricey but its a good exhibit all the same [Im not a fan of animal exhibits but this is amongst the better ones} and whilst its nothing like seeing them in the wild they give a great tour and information on the scaly reptiles. You also have the opportunity to swim with them for a price and handle snakes in their reptile exhibit. Should you have the time – yellow waters is the place to go for a tour, however, go down to the local boat ramp and Im sure it won’t take long to spot one. Buffalo Creek if you have the time- but adhere to signs these creatures are not to be underestimated.

Where to shop: 

I have to admit I have never been a big shopper in Darwin; you don’t go to Darwin for its shopping. The main shopping centre is Casuarina Shopping Centre located in the southern suburbs. Casuarina as the locals call it has many of the big brands seen in Southern Cities but without the crowds.

Where to stay: 

You can’t go wrong with accommodation in the territory almost all are located within Darwin city with access to all the restaurants and bars. The Vibe is one of the newest hotels I was able to visit and has great views and comfortable rooms. Vibe sits adjacent to the wave pool and is surrounded by some great dining options. Novotel Darwin another great location and dining options.

Locals tip:

Don’t over pack. Darwin style is casual, but if you love to run or exercise, there are some great running tracks all with the most exquist views.