So 2 years ago, I was very happy and settled in my new job, teaching Religious Studies to kids who had only ever been taught by a Chaplain and all professed their atheism loudly. After 4 months of having me teach them about World Religions, Christianity and the impact on society of what and how people believe, they were starting to come on board, showing signs of thinking, engaging with Big Issues and some were even talking about taking the Studies of World Religion HSC course with me the following year. I was loving working alongside the Humanities team and was even working to tie what I was teaching my kids to some of the themes they were studying in History and Geography to good effect. Then my husband was offered a new job.
I knew that to move 7 people, a dog and 2 cats was no easy task, so I factored in a year to make sure that everyone was settled in new schools, activities, clubs etc. We arrived in Melbourne with nowhere to live and a week until the school year started. Nothing like living on the edge. Long story very short, everything worked out beautifully and everyone started work and school when they were supposed to. Except me.
Melbourne is a fantastic city. We are very fortunate to be just over half an hours drive from the city centre (not in rush hour obviously!) and about half an hour from the Yarra Valley with it's vineyards and beautiful countryside for walks and adventures. We are also very close to Mt Dandenong which is like a magical fairyland with its quaint villages, majestic gum trees, waterfalls and amazing views of the city.
My only 'thing' - it's not a criticism or a complaint, just my own issue - is the distance from a beach. While in Newcastle I could be at Merewether in 15 mins to blow away the cobwebs, get my head straight and sit with a coffee and write, it takes me 45 mins (and a small fortune in tolls) to get to places like Mornington or Mentone on Port Philip Bay. While very pretty, it doesn't inspire me or particularly clear my head. The Yarra river is also very pretty at places like Warrandyte, but again, no inspiration. In fact this is the most I have written since being in Melbourne for 20 months, despite sitting in various places with my notebook and pens, willing myself to think of anything at all to write about!
