Alive

March 6, 2021.Reading time 2 minutes.

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy, for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another.” Anatole France

Strange.

To be out in the world again.

In Tasmania, there are only hints that a pandemic exists. Hand sanitiser at the entrance to stores. The occasional need to register attendance.

No masks. Anywhere.

In the supermarket, I experience something akin to culture shock. I can see too many faces. People are too close together. Not 1.5 metres apart. I get out as quickly as I can.

In Salamanca, a cute little café is overflowing with humanity. My desire for coffee only marginally stronger than my need to escape.

To be outside.

To feel the breeze.

To sit on a park bench and look across the Hobart waterfront, to appreciate that I’m travelling again.

I’m so tired.

It’s hard to resume ‘normal’ life after a year of lockdown. I mean, what even is ‘normal’ anymore?

I didn’t cry much in 2020. Things happened too quickly. And I think I was numb from the over-saturation of news. Waiting for Dan to tell us the numbers. Wondering when it would be safe to see my mum again. Family. Friends.

I hear a gull screech, and for some reason that brings tears. I want to scream with that gull. So loudly. I want to understand the year we just had.

What did we learn?

Patience. Appreciation.

To not take things for granted.

I want other people to understand what it was like to be in Melbourne. But I know they never will.

And so, we carry on …

I’ve always been a planner, a schemer, of adventure and travel, but now, plans have to be fluid.

You need a plan A, B, C and D (for dumb-ass) – Supernatural references always on my brain.

Guess it’s time to embrace impulsivity …

The rain begins to ease. The sun is warm. I wish I could capture this moment.

I’m starting to feel alive, again.

2020 Melbourne

July 14, 2020.Reading time 19 minutes.

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back.” ~ Paulo Coelho

This is Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, Australia, at 11.30 am on Friday 10 July 2020. The city has just gone into its second lockdown, due to COVID-19. There’s barely anyone in sight and it feels like I’m living in an alternate reality. At some point, earlier this year, we woke up to changed world. And it became evident, very quickly, that things would never go back to ‘normal’, at least not the ‘normal’ we’d experienced in 2019.

A decade of journeys

December 31, 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

“The beauty you see in me is a reflection of you.” Rumi

Mt Edith Cavell

I always enjoy New Year’s Eve. Not for fireworks or parties – because I often enjoy solitude on this day – but because it’s really the only time of year that I reflect on the previous 12 months. And today, at the end of another decade, I’ve been thinking about the last 10 years and how amazing they’ve been for me*. Perhaps it’s because I’m older, but I think I’ve reached the point in my life where I’m accepting of who I am (with all my flaws and quirks). I’m no longer scared about what people think of me (or of being judged). In short, I’m comfortable in my own skin. It might have taken me half a lifetime to get there, but I feel content and happy.

Meander Melbourne

September 22, 2018.Reading time 2 minutes.

“Karen knew all the interesting and pretty spots to see, including a great market, the laneways, a fantastic graffiti alleyway, some great outdoor sights, and some of the city’s official monuments. She was knowledgeable and good to talk with, and I felt like I’d really gotten to know a lot about Melbourne in one day! She was also very flexible in her tour so we could see the things that interested me most. I’m very glad I took her tour and am so happy to got to see so much of Melbourne.” Lauren, September 2018

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A few months ago, in my last blog post, I mentioned that I was trying out some new things after my long-term editing contract finished. I also wanted to find something that would get me outside, exercising, and doing the things I love – walking, exploring, taking photographs! The answer came to me in the form of Airbnb Experiences. I’d already been an Airbnb host for a number of years, renting out the spare bedroom in my apartment, so it seemed natural for me to give Airbnb Experiences a go. One month into my ‘Meander Melbourne’ walking tours and I’m so happy. There is nothing better than sharing a place you love with fellow-travellers…

kgrahamjourneys~photos

June 29, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” Ansel Adam

Canoeing at Katherine Gorge

Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about my photography… and wanting to get back into creating beautiful images of the places I travel to… I guess because I’ve spent the last seven years focusing on reading and writing words (as editor of the Victorian RSL’s membership magazine) and now I just feel like a change.

So, the first step I’ve taken is to create a little photography blog on the side – www.kgrahamjourneysphotos.wordpress.com. I’m currently posting on that site a lot more frequently than I am here… because that is where my heart is… for now!

The great snake wrangling adventure

June 19, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

““But don’t worry,” she continued. “Most snakes don’t want to hurt you. If you’re out in the bush and a snake comes along, just stop dead and let it slide over your shoes.” This, I decided, was the least-likely-to-be-followed advice I have ever been given.”
Bill Bryson, In a Sunburned Country

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Late last year I was commissioned by Australian Geographic to write an article about the Great East Rail Trail Ride. It was my fourth visit to this stunning rail trail and the second time I’d participated on the Great East Rail Trail Ride (see my previous blog: East Gippsland Rail Trail Ride). But, somehow, this time felt different; I guess because I was writing my first article for Australian Geographic. It was super exciting!

And the ride went really well – beautiful scenery, perfect weather for cycling and no major mishaps – until day three. Then we were cycling through denser sections of forest and there was a lot more debris on the track. I was cautious on the downhill sections and looked out for obstacles on the trail. After riding about 20 kilometres, I was about to cycle over a small branch when I saw the branch move.

It WAS NOT a branch. It WAS a brown snake!

They cannot take the sky

February 24, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

“The candle symbolises light in the darkness of life; especially individual life, illumination. It is also the symbol of illumination of the spirit of truth.” White Night Melbourne

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Thousands of LED lights float in the moat of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). It’s beautiful. Mesmerising. But, then it’s heartbreaking. As you hear the voices of refugees.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Ride

March 13, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike.”
John F. Kennedy

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Last year, I was invited by Liz Mitchell of Snowy River Cycling to take part on the three-day East Gippsland Rail Trail Ride. This is a fully-supported annual event – due to take place again in October 2017 – and it’s the perfect introduction to cycle touring or for anyone just wanting to spend a few leisurely days cycling and socialising.

My top 12 moments of 2016

December 30, 2016.Reading time 11 minutes.

“Departure of a year welcomes so many new memories” Munia Khan

Slumber safari experience at Werribee Zoo

This blog was inspired by my friend Jules Wilkinson, who today posted on Facebook her ‘Top 18 things of 2016’. She later commented: “I worry that the ‘2016 sucked’ narrative is not letting people value the year they had on its own terms. I hope it was a good one for you and 2017 is even more sparkly!”

Riding the trails

March 26, 2016.Reading time 1 minute.

Great Southern Rail Trail

Recently, I was asked to write an article for Ride On magazine – which is the membership magazine for Bicycle Network Victoria. I’ve been published by them previously, but not for a while as my writing has taken a bit of a back seat to my editing in recent years. But I’ve always been a huge supporter of Bicycle Network Victoria and the advocacy work they do for cyclists. So I was very happy to get this opportunity to write another article for them. I also love cycling the rail trails and this got me in the mood for a weekend to Bright and a ride on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. So here is the link to the Ride On article… and later this year I’ll have some more blogs about bike rides I’m planning to do.

Source: Riding the trails