Action! My English partner and I are now on our 2023 one-year Adventure around Australia. It’s a little surreal driving away from Brisbane Queensland and realising there are no work emails or deadlines to check, just us and Highway 1 all the way around Australia till we see you again our family and dear friends.
Incidentally Highway 1 is a network of highways that circumnavigate Australia, joining all mainland capital cities except the national capital of Canberra. At a total length of approximately 14,500 km (9,000 mi) it is the longest national highway in the world.
First stop Maleny/Sunshine Coast Hinterland to recharge our batteries which run best on Moet and Butter chicken from the local Indian ‘Daawat’, which we can highly recommend.
We were captivated by a Platypus frolicking in Obi Obi creek on our walk through the Rainforest to town. Time today to catch up on finishing my book ‘Confessions of a woman in real estate’ at the local library, thanks for the tip Heather..
On my afternoon stroll back through the quiet Rainforest I reflected on the recent turbulent times. Closing my business, welcoming family to stay in our place whilst we’re travelling, packing up our lives into a shoe box size VW camper van and worst put in safekeeping the ashes of the ‘Love of my live’ my little Maltese Shih Tzu ‘Charlie’.
Still in thoughts I noticed this impressive butterfly again, an Orchard Swallowtail catching up on me and landed on a branch right in front of me. Curiously I had spotted it earlier a couple of times on my morning walk and then again when it had fluttered past the library window.
I started taking photos and to my surprise it did not fly away. I admired all its little features, as it vibrated its wings vividly. Suddenly I felt this undeniable energy and a wave of relaxation swept over me filling my heart with joy and hope. I sensed this beautiful, winged messenger was telling me its ok to finally let go of Charlie, since missing her so deeply for almost a year. At that moment I just felt gratitude for her bringing me so much joy.
Interestingly some Native American tribes believe that butterflies represent change and transformation, comfort, hope, and positivity. Others see them as a symbol of growth.
The power of nature provides hope and comfort in tumultuous times.
