I love old train stations

Gawler Railway Station, South Australia

Bali Brief - Last Night

We had a celebratory dinner last night at The Cat & Fiddle in Sanur with our MTB tour partners.

Great bunch of people.

Tonight we board an overnight flight to Melbourne.

Hopefully we'll leave behind the Bali Bugs and bring home the daily sunshine and evening rain. What a perfect balance.

Bali Brief - Private Villa

Tour's over.

Found a brand new private villa that the owners are promoting by offering the entire 3 bedroom place for $100 a night.

Sold!

Chillaxing by the pool.

Ah.

xx

Bali Brief - Candidasa

Wish you were here xx

Bali Brief - Carrying Sand Bags

The headache cleared and in its absence came some perspective.

Scoffing at swan-fashioned towels and complaining about a not-so-white nightgown in a place where local women walk around carrying cement bags on their heads for not much more than $5 a day makes me feel like one of those indulgent pop stars that stipulate preposterous insistences like having all green M&Ms removed from the packet before serving. Ridiculous.

It's amazing how one's view is skewed when one is feeling unwell. Headaches have come and gone this trip. Possibly due to not replenishing the water I've been sweating out in this balmy heat.

I'm still on an emotional roller coaster about turning 40. I don't know what it is about this particular number that's playing havoc with my mind. It might have something to do with the fact that I planned my mother's surprise 40th at the tender age of 16... and here I am at the same milestone. It's bizarre.

Tour going well. Last day tomorrow

Bali Brief - Bali Scenes

Heading to Batur crater today and staying the night.

No wifi there.

Hopefully it doesn't erupt like Pat's tummy and my temper.

Hopefully will reconnect in Candidasa in a few days.

In the meantime, here's some typical Bali scenes.

Bali Brief - Swan Towel

I've had a cracking headache all day and consequently have the grumps.

I am perplexed why staff spend so much time making towel swans and flower arrangements, when all we really want are for things to be cleaned properly.

I know it's a cultural thing, but I'm rather deflated over my crisp white cotton nightshirt returning from the laundry a rather dull, dirty-looking grey. How do they do that?

At least when the team returned from their mountain biking adventure, they had good reason to be dirtier than before they started. Not so with my former white nightshirt.

Here I am in sultry Bali. I have a headache, am lying on a bed adorned with a brown-toned cloth bird and perfumed flowers whilst wearing a nightshirt that looks like it was used to wash the bikes.

So how was your day?

Bali Brief - Bali Buddha

Today is Day 1 of our RIDE International MTB tour.

It is the arrival and welcome day.

Pat took clients out for an intro to Ubud.

I took scooter to drop off our laundry.

Had breakfast at Bali Buddha.

Delicious.

The hard work starts now.

Bali Brief - Sari Organik

Pat's feeling much better today.

After two days of not eating, he felt hungry today (despite being up all night watching a rat prance about our room while I slept in ignorance).

We moved rooms.

We hired a scooter.

We drove along a narrow steep path along rice paddies to reach Sari Organik, where I had the BEST organic strawberry lassi I have ever tasted. Ever.

Pat thanks you for all the well wishes, it must have worked.

Bali Brief - Pat Sick

Pat starts to burn up and shudder.

I freak out and take him to 24-hour clinic in the wee hours if the morning.

He has loads of tests.

Results?

Very high white blood cell count indicating bacterial infection.

Waited for Pharmacy to open.

Got antibiotics.

Pat's stabilised and feeling better.

Back in Ubud.

Rest all day.

Relieved.

ps. Bloody Pipeline iPhone photo uploader posts current to old.

Bali Brief - Virgin Beach

It's warm and sunny

On The Road Again

We are on the road to Melbourne.

Until tomorrow remember how KISS can save the moment (Keeping It Short & Simple - not the rock band)

Grace xx

Monday Morning in Melrose

Melrose main street

Isn't amazing how a few days in a quaint country town can revive one's spirit and soothe a restless soul?

Since arriving here four days ago, I have gone from an uptight frustrated quasi iPhone user to a chilled out, happy-go-lucky bloggess.

Yes, I'm back... with gusto. Now I have this new technology under my wings, there's no stopping me - not even remote Australian country towns, or French hotels with crappy internet connections for that matter.

There's something empowering about persisting through difficult, upsetting and frustrating situations to reach a level of peace, tranquility and accomplishment. 

Despite wanting to give up on several occasions I kept pushing on, albeit reluctantly. Now I am glad that I did.

Interestingly, the same thing happened yesterday whilst out on a 12.2km (7.58mi) return hike to the summit of Mt. Remarkable. 

Striding alongside two gorgeous gazelles with legs up to their armpits and looking fitter than images of Bruce Lee, I felt completely out of my league. My heart just about leapt out of my mouth as we raced up the fist steep incline and I was ready to pull out. But I didn't. 

Result? 

I made it to the summit in one piece and returned to base within 3.5hours (2 less than the estimated time and in keeping pace with the gazelles). Though admittedly, I did not return in the same condition I left. I was distracted by a cute bunch of kids and tripped over a rock, landing flat on my boobs. Consequently I have some very sore body parts and bloody battle wounds. Ouch.

Despite all that, I am completely chuffed with myself for enduring and completing such an achievement. While my body may be aching, my soul is soaring.

Until tomorrow, persist through your challenges and rise to the top... even if you do fall over in the process.

Grace xx

Hello... Is it me you're looking for?

I am so excited

I have FINALLY got an iPhone 4 after patiently waiting for over a fortnight.

I am now in Adelaide getting acquainted with my new toy. I feel like a seven year old on Christmas morning. Thankfully this toy already has a working battery in it.

I am doing this post entirely on my iPhone as my laptop is unable to pick up our neighbour's trusty wifi, so please excuse any wierdness in appearance.

Tomorrow we prepare to head to Melrose in the Southern Flinders Ranges, where I'm certain there'll be many adventures ahead.

Until tomorrow, be sure to try something new even if it takes fifty times longer than normal.

Grace xx

Peek-a-boo

Sometimes I get so involved with what I'm doing that I barely come up for air, much less breakfast lunch or tea.

My skin becomes pale, the shadows under my eyes grow darker and I couldn't tell you what the weather is like outside.

I have no concept of time and can operate on as little as two hours sleep, night after night.

I become completely absorbed in the task at hand and nothing, or no one, can distract me. I am in a word, a hermit.

While I know this is not exactly healthy, I simply cannot tear myself away. This is where I am at right now and have been like this since Mission Defrostible, which took place three weeks ago.

Tomorrow this will change. I am leaving the confines of my four walls and heading to Adelaide for a week (Patrick is running MTB skills camps in Melrose, in the southern Flinders Ranges).

I have mixed feelings about this. While I'm looking forward to the fresh country air and reconnecting with loved ones, there's a part of me that just wants to continue with my mission to transform my living environment.

I am interested to see how this time away will impact my enthusiasm. Will it arrest the momentum or create a greater desire to finish off the job?

We will see.

Until tomorrow, be wary of spending too much time on your tasks at hand and be sure to come out of your confines to say peek-a-boo.

Grace xx

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Hush hush - the secret is soul

Last night we had a sleep over at our nephew and niece's house (okay it's their parent's house, but don't tell them that).

After having spent over two months overseas, we had a lot of playtime to catch up on.

'Stacks on' was the most popular game of the evening (imagine layers of people stacked like a pancake with laughter as the syrup) that had us all giggling uncontrollably.

It was getting late for a school night and instead of tucking the little ones into bed, we were invited into the kitchen corner to engage in a hush hush conversation.

"You can take him tomorrow if you want."

"Pardon?"

"We give him one teacher-free day each term and he hasn't taken one this term." And with that, we had permission to take our young nephew out on the town for the entire day (his sister is still a little too young for such an expedition).

We decided to have lunch at Lucia's (pictured above) - a culinary institution located in Adelaide's Central Market. I have long been astounded at how food alone, was able to carry the original 70's decor of orange Formica tabletops and brown vinyl chairs through the ages.

This Italo-Adelaidean icon has gone through three generations, withstanding the pastel 80's and minimalist 90's influences, to have come full circle and be regarded as funky retro in the new millennium. Now that's what I call standing the test of time.

I often wonder what has been the secret to Lucia's success. What I come up with is soul. Sure you can talk about quality produce, consistency, value and not giving into to fads and whims - but it's soul that gives it resilience. It is soul that has seen it live on.

Then I thought about our time here in Adelaide.

While we came to Adelaide for work, we took time out on a 'school day' to have a sit down lunch with four generations of Patrick's family (him, his mother, grandmother and nephew). Sure there are other things each of us could have done that were high on the list of priorities, but we chose to spend time together - and that my friends, is soul.

Until tomorrow, may you inject soul into your everyday life and realise that what lies beneath it all is something else that stands the test of time - family.

Grace xx

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Brake Down

So here we are in a Lambourghini tractor workshop located in rural Victoria (I didn't even know Lambourghini made tractors), with our car jacked up.

We (as in Patrick and the tractor mechanic) are trying to find out what is causing an unhealthy grating noise when we apply our newly installed brakes.

I am sitting on my suitcase listening to the rain fall as I type on my laptop. Literally on my lap top.

In short, "Houston we have a problem."

Since embarking on this road trip two days ago, we seem to be encountering quite a few such problems. It's almost like the universe is deliberately halting our attempts to reach Adelaide this weekend.

Our first stall occurred in Apollo Bay when Patrick ran into bike trouble. He was putting together our friend's new Malvern Star MTB when he was challenged by the new 2011 model gear shifters. Long story short, a 10 minute job turned into a half-day affair.

We hit the road about five hours behind schedule only to be hindered a few hours down the road. We saw the aftermath of a head-on collision between an Italian stallion and a 4WD (SUV) full of Spaniards. Luckily there were no deaths or (obvious) serious injuries, however there was serious memory lapse in one of the victims who asked for his watch every two minutes. We did what all good samaritans do. Stopped, called emergency aid, warned oncoming traffic with flashing hazard lights and kept everybody calm until help arrived.

After standing in the wind and rain for over two hours, we did a handover to a policeman who took over the show and we were free to go.

We were both shaken up and decided to call it a night at Hotel Warrnambool - a very cool pub with sleeping quarters that have been funk-fully decorated. Our room was above the live band and despite being tired, we could not sleep with our bed vibrating to the jazz music. So we logged onto our computers to discover that our gorgeous friend Jo had a baby boy 10-weeks before he was due (we were actually going to Adelaide to surprise her for the baby shower on Sunday - but looks like she trumped us in the surprise stakes).

The band stopped after midnight and we finally went to sleep in what must have been the most comfortable bed in the world. Reluctantly, I arose this morning to start a new day, which has ultimately led to me tapping away to A Flock of Seagulls singing "I ran, I ran so far away" followed by John Farnham's "Give me a reason" - what do you think the universe is trying to tell us?

Until tomorrow, learn to slow down, pause and see the lighthearted moments in the moment - despite having reasons to run away.

Grace xx

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Stairway to Heaven

This photo is of a typical street in my hometown in Italy. I lovingly call it 'Stairway to Heaven' as that is what it is to me.

It is a relatively unknown village called San Marco in Lamis, which is located in the province of Foggia within the Puglia (Apulia) region.

Okay, technically it's not my hometown (that would be Melbourne) however it is the hometown of my parents, grandparents, great grandparents and many ancestors before me.

After having visited there three times at the ages of 14, 21 and 35, I have fallen deeper and deeper in love with the land of my forefathers.

There's something about connecting with your roots and learning about your heritage, that gives the present moment perspective. I don't know what it is exactly, but it's a feeling. A feeling of love, pride, appreciation and belonging (perhaps that's why I feel free to call it 'my' hometown).

Since embarking on Project Grace 2010 five months ago, I set a course to find me and my mojo. As b-day approaches I realise that nothing was ever lost - it was just hidden. Hidden from me, by me and within me. Each day I am feeling more and more like the Grace I want to be. A Grace that is happy, strong, grateful and found.

This self discovery voyage is not unlike the journey into one's lineage. It's about taking time to reacquaint yourself with everything that makes you, you. It is very much a homecoming.

Our past forms the foundation of our present and when we stop running away from it, we can make peace with it, honour it, love it. Then, unexpectedly, something magic happens. Doors to the future appear.

Right now I am standing on a precipice. I am feeling calm and clear. I am so grateful for my past and hopeful for my future - both of which makes my present moment happy. One might say 'heavenly'. I keep wondering how long this feeling will last. So far so good.

Until tomorrow, don't be scared to go back and find your stairway to heaven.

Grace xx

PS. Click here if you wish to see more of San Marco in Lamis.

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Window Seat

Whenever I check into a flight, I always request a window seat.

Sure window seats may not be as comfortable or convenient as aisle seats (for leg stretching and toilet trips) but to me, it's all about the view (and the fact I can utilise the window as a headrest mid flight).

I love gazing at the world below and wonder whether there's anybody down there looking up at me. Who are they? What are they like? Where is there home? What are they thinking when they see us?

I get lost in my imagination while simultaneously marvelling at nature's magnificence. I am awed by the carving of the landscape. Such beauty. So humbling.

When I fly over central Australia (during daylight) my heart skips a beat. The intense red earth contrasting the brilliant blue sky is nothing short of breathtaking. This is my home.

Today I am happy to be flying home. I look forward to reconnecting with my family, friends and my husband, mentor and best friend Patrick (whose birthday it is tomorrow). A new adventure awaits.

Until tomorrow, please enjoy this wonderful extract from the quintessential Australian poem titled 'My Country' by Dorothea Mackellar (1885 - 1968).

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me!

In the words of Dorothy, there's no place like home.

Grace xx

ps. Happy birthday eve ZigZig - can't wait to see you xxooxx

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Cool Bananas

Tonight is my last here in Penang.

It's the final evening of my two-month adventure that has seen me do some many and varied things like;

• Getting lost in Paris, and finding a très chic coat on the side of the road, then a few days later celebrating the first day of summer with la fête de la musique.
  
  
• Mountain biking and being cheesey in Switzerland.
  
  
• A side trip to Germany to hand deliver an Eiffel tower key ring prize, then take in two operas and a concert (not to mention purchasing some fabulous shoes).
  
  
• A reconnaissance of our Adventure Travel Tour de France tour, squeezing 10-days into six - and four adults packed like sardines in the back of a van for a night.
  
  
• The actual tour where I was interviewed and broadcast on national Belgian TV.
  
  
• A relaxing few days in Singapore where I got to compare the difference between black and white pepper crab (black pepper won by one and a half claws).
  
  
• Getting in a pickle when I booked flights to India without securing a visa first (and learning that the laws changed a few months ago).
  
  
• Seeking refuge in Penang until I could get a flight home and discovering life's a beach when you get to hang out with friends that you've known since being a pimply faced teenager.
  
  
• Discovering a new dental profession and finding out that my repair work is likely to cost a gazillion dollars.

All in all, it has been amazing. Despite the twists and turns, dramas and frustrations, stress and exhaustion, it has been a great journey. I've learned to ride the bumps on the road, smile and say "cool bananas" when I want to chillax.

Until tomorrow, find time to reflect on what you've done recently - it may be more than what you think.

Grace xx

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