Jordans Crossing Gazette

Not only did it turn out she has a beautiful AirB&B joint, but by chance is also a published singer/songwriter/pianist (Joe Cocker’s sung her stuff!) with a baby grand in the lounge room. And it turns out we have several friends in common to boot. Of course she was rehearsing a play down at the prettiest little country hall, set up with full stage and sound rig, so six-year-old Augie had his first taste of theatre proper. Reds were downed and songs were sung. Talk about blessings! Providence. Fortuity. One moment in the day done different and you would have arrived a minute too late for a certain fate. Around 4PM today, after meandering through Goulburn and Marulan on return from East Gippsland, we found ourselves in the tiny and utterly gorgeous town of Bundanoon. I rolled down my windows at an intersection to ask someone where to find the best meal in town and met Barbara who chanced to be standing there on there, chatting to another. After she kindly directed us to a good feed, she asked whether we had plans to stay. Providence... An extra special visitor gets the full package! Sometimes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going… all the way to grandmother’s house for a much needed Bundanoon Care Package, tailor-made for a worn out, often unwell, uni student granddaughter. In the past I have given various “kits” to friends and family: Travel kit: such things as safety pins, pen, Vicks Vapour drops, hand sanitizer, home made, one-of-a-kind baggage tag. Mother of the bride kit: needle and thread, fragrant soap, tea, tissues, chocolate. Recovery kit: a good book, paracetamol, hand cream, Rescue Remedy, more tea. So, a Bundanoon Care Package is like that only different….it cannot be parcelled up into a brown paper package tied up with string, it has to be experienced, lived and enjoyed. Here is my version… yours could look quite different! VENUE: Bundanoon, of course! CONTENTS: Environment: fresh clean air, lots of green (trees, fields, bush, gardens, plants), peace and quiet (with the reward of restful sleep), good clear water to drink, time to read and rest. Nourishing food: home cooked, plenty of vegetables, a visit to a local café for tea and scones, copious cups of tea, ice- cream. Exercise: a walk down Rockleigh Road for the expansive views of countryside, presided over by ruminating cows, a walk in Morton National Park, lyrebirds scratching, wandering along the magnificent crab apple and flowering cherry streets of Bundanoon, strolling in Springtime gardens. Companionship: watching a movie together (at the cinema, or at home, or both), opening our hearts to each other, plenty of hugs, cooking yummies together, laughing lots, power talking as we power walk, meeting friends, old and new. Therapy: mandatory visits to The Good Yarn (second hand books), Nest and Burrow (everything really!), lolly shop in Bowral (all time favourite), Lingerie outlet (all things pretty and cute), Dirty Janes (bits and pieces, tea shop goodies); a massage, either at home or with a pro; music (my favourite, music from Taizé, her current favourite, My Fair Lady , enjoyed together only recently). TREATMENT PLAN: Sleep in, good slow breakfast, long walk listening to bird song and watching out for wildlife, a cup of tea (or two or three), tour of a garden (either mine or somewhere else, like Red Cow Farm or springtime tulips in Corbett Gardens), a nap when necessary, wandering around favourite shops, a good book, a glass of wine, a movie (either in town with an ice-cream or at home on the couch, also with ice-cream!), early night. Mostly accompanied by shared talk and laughter, or peace and quiet. Any or all of the above! OUTCOME: A chronically fatigued, pain suffering granddaughter says: “Just what I needed, Gran!” Her Gran says exactly the same! Bundanoon, yet again, delivers the goods! — Jane Irwin Bundanoon care package Adapted with permission from a Facebook post by Danielle Farrow-Pryke day breaks December 2017 25 jcg www.bca.asn.au