Travel doesn’t always mean a holiday, but it does always mean adventure, learning and growth. With a nationwide shortage of medical imaging technologists, I decided to do my part and volunteered to staff our trailer in Manjimup – south west WA. This means time away from home and the family. Not easy, but an opportunity for us all to grow in our responsibilities and learn some appreciation for one another (hopefully).
So, for four weeks on Sunday afternoons, I will travel the 120km south east from Busselton into ‘tall timber’ country to work for the week. As it is late winter, this is a beautiful and lush drive. Passing through the town of Nannup, I am fortunate to have coincided with the annual flower festival where tubs of colourful tulips, market stalls and musicians litter the main road. There is a distinct air of celebration….. after all, flowers mean spring is on the way (and thank goodness for that, because boy is it cold in this neck of the woods!).
From Nannup to the Graphite road turning there are stunning soft, green, rolling hills dotted with sheep, cows and kangaroos. Reminiscent of England (minus the kangaroos) the road meanders around bends, over dips and streams before heading deep into the forest. A left turn onto Graphite road, and down into the darkness you drop.
My first encounter with this road was a scary one. A mere 200m down this road, was a sign; ‘traffic hazard ahead’. After driving deeper and deeper into the forest, I had to wonder…… exactly which hazard was it referring to? Was it the three kangaroos I encountered with the next ten minutes? Was it the enormous trees lining the road? Was it the loose gravel where driveways meet the road? Or was it the other drivers taking the bends at speed, treating this hilly, bendy road like a race track? Whichever it was, what ensued was a white knuckle, sweat dripping half hour of pure concentration and terror!
Today however, on my third drive in, I am becoming more confident and felt brave enough to stop and admire the towering forest, wildflowers, Donnelly River and One Tree Bridge. This is one of many gorgeous little pockets of peace and tranquility in a giant karri and marri forest that makes you feel very small indeed…..
Synonymous with travel is meeting new people and enjoying local foods. On Wednesday night week one, my colleague and I had this covered. We ventured out to join the rest of Australia in cheering on the Matilda’s in their semi-final clash with England. After quizzing our clients throughout the day, we decided on The Gateway hotel as our venue, where we were assured a lively atmosphere.
It turns out, it was lively and we were treated like celebrities being two of only four women in the pub. We were quizzed about who we were and why we were there and within minutes had drinks bought for us and were welcomed into the fold.
Whilst it was lovely to feel special, it wasn’t the best thing about this pub….. that was the Ozzie burger on the menu in honour of the Matilda’s. With a succulent beef patty, bacon, perfectly caramelised onions, an egg, salad and of course the obligatory beetroot it was the best burger ever. Our only issue was working out how to eat it with all our new friends looking on! Needless to say, we did and neither of us left a single crumb.
Week one was undoubtedly an adventure, I have learnt to successfully negotiate an obstacle course drive in, and thanks to the burger, grown my stomach. Hopefully week two offers more fun and travel experiences, I can’t wait to get started.
TTB
The Travel Bee 