Firstly, at the beginning of this month there was the Vanlife Diaries gathering at Crescent Head, NSW. How lovely to see friends again. I may have only spent 6-8 days in total over 3 different gatherings, but I feel I have new friends now. Friends that also live tiny in their vans. (Photos from Crescent Head Van lifer gathering) click on any to enlarge There are always interesting new people to get to know at these events and this time I parked this time next to Ronny in his Sprinter and got to know him a bit as we shared coffees, music and stories. That's the lovely thing about these gatherings...time to sit and chat. I carved a spoon while we were there and gave it to him. I think he really liked it. I gave a dear little spoon I'd made to Jared for feeding his babies when they arrive and carved another long handled rosewood spoon for ... well I don't know who it's for yet, it's new owner has not appeared. I enjoy that peaceful pastime of spoon carving, it suits me fine to be quiet by myself when other van lifers are out 'catching waves'. The only downside to a perfect weekend were the mosquitoes. The happily received rain brought them in their thousands and nothing seemed to deter them. These tough little buggers bit my bum through my chair and jeans!! The mozzies won the battle and I left the gathering early. I travelled home from Crescent Head, via Hat Head (too busy for me on a Sunday) and Scott's Head (gorgeous), back to my mountain spot in Dorrigo.. 3 heads in one perfect sunny day! Guess what? when I arrived back on the mountain it was raining! It always seems to be raining here on the mountain when I return from anywhere. I don't mind. I'm happily in the van, feeling all cosy, going over what happened in the weekend and thinking about what's next on the Cat Shack 'to do list'. Scotts Head and the road home (click to enlarge) The Mouse House was recognised by quite a few people on the weekend who had seen Jordan Omond's YouTube vid - now 1.4 million views - and quite a few had a little look inside while we were there. One or two even came to visit the Mouse House when I was back on the mountain. Who would have thought that the van I designed, and have lived in for going on 2 years, would now have been seen by so many? A little frog came home with me from Crescent Head - the pig just took my fancy 😊 So 2 years have passed and what do I regret? Nothing! Seriously, nothing. I have the Cat Shack (5x4m bushman built shelter) on my own little piece of debt free land and that land is already growing trees, vegetables and herbs. Most of the 60 or so trees I've planted have fought to stay alive in drought conditions and are now, after rain, finally growing a bit. All is well. Sure there's heaps more work to do on the shack and a new outhouse to build but Oh happy days...I have a friend with a big ladder and she's going to help me for a day to finish two of the walls in the shack - the parts I can't reach as my ladder is too short. It hasn't even been a year yet since I've had the land and the transformation is quite amazing. I love that the little birds are so friendly. Wishing you all Good Health and Happiness, Clare 😊
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