December 6, 2006 – that was the day, ten years ago today, that my life changed and I moved to Bendigo. Until then, I was married, and had been so, for 33 years. My life revolved around my family, and it never occurred to me that a change was coming.

But you just never know when life will throw a curve ball at you, as it did me, when my marriage unexpectedly broke down, and at short notice, I had to decide what my future would be, where I would live, find a house, and move all my life’s belongings. Unexpectedly, I was about to start a new life.

I chose to live in Bendigo for a few reasons – it is a beautiful city, which I’d always loved, had a fabulous cycling culture, and it was an equal distance from my family in Shepparton, and my daughter in Melbourne. But the thing that really sold me on Bendigo was the cycling.

The past ten years have been a roller coaster ride, with many things happening in those ten years – both good and bad, fantastic and dreadful. But looking back, now that my life is settled, I have no doubt that I made the right choice.

I’ve moved five times in 10 years, which has added to the stress. But I now love where I live, about 25ks outside Bendigo. I have a huge garden that I love, bushland at my front gate and amazing wildlife to watch every day.

What more could I ask for. Life is great and I’m very grateful for everything and everyone in my life.