I feel very very lucky to live in a place that is surrounded by bushland. All it takes is a few steps outside the front gate, and I am in the Bendigo National Park. This bushland area is my backyard and my recreation area. There are many kilometres of walking tracks that surround our house, so I’m able to have my choice of where to walk, any time that I want it. I walk there almost every day, always with Oscar, the friendly toy poodle. Walking in this area is very calming and meditative as I rarely ever see another person. I do my best thinking and planning on these walks, having my phone at the ready to take notes, as nothing seems to stay in my head for long, these days.
The tracks are mostly, rocky and hilly, so by the time we have finished our walk, Oscar and I have had a great workout. You will notice in the photos, how dry everything looks. However, though it is dry, what stands out to me is the tinge of green. We don’t see that very often, but there has been rain during the past winter. From now until autumn, it will only get drier. In spring and summer there are snakes and goannas to contend with. They are everywhere here, though it’s a while now since I’ve seen a goanna. Now that summer is here, Oscar is kept on the lead due to snakes lurking in the undergrowth where he loves to investigate.
Image: Pixabay
We have lived our ‘totally off the grid’ lifestyle here for just over four years now, and I never do forget how lucky I am. In 2020 when the pandemic struck, and we were put into isolation, I was doubly aware of how lucky we were. We were seeing people on the TV news, who were locked down in cities and apartments, with very little space around them. We are surrounded by our twenty acres, with a huge garden which would be fantastic enough. To top it all off, the Bendigo National Park is on our doorstep, so, really, we have had very little to complain about. During covid-19 restrictions, I was able to walk the tracks surrounding our house, without the worry of coming into contact with others. It’s been a very difficult year, but I do feel very fortunate due to where we live.
This photo is taken at our front gate.
This post is linked to Denyse’s Monday link up Life This Week
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Hi Jennifer – you live in al lovely part of the world. We lived on a 2 acre bush block for 20+ years and loved it. I must admit that moving to somewhere slightly more “civilized” has made for a nice change – but we have a LOT of very happy memories from our time where we had more space and more natural bush around us. I bet you’ve really appreciated it this year in particular (esp seeing you’d have been doing less travelling and commuting).
Thanks for popping in Leanne. Your are right that this year of pandemic has really made us appreciate how fortunate we are
I have been so far behind this is the first of your posts I have read in a while. I don’t want to stop following though. I appreciate the pictures and your sharing. I admit, I would not be comfortable walking there because of the snakes, etc. Not sure what the other creature is. I am glad that you have this amazing place the space in your life and I can appreciate the value you find in your walks. Blessings, Michele
Hi Michelle Good to have you pop in. I’ve been struggling to keep up with all the blogs I usually read too. I miss #MLSTL
Ugh, I’m really snake phobic so don’t tend to walk amidst wildlife! In fact the only time I’ve done any bushwalking was at a health retreat a few years ago and I did enjoy the serenity.
It’s the peace and serenity that I would miss if I didn’t do it Deb
It’s wonderful you’re so close to nature and many walking trails. I hope the snakes or most of them are not poisonous. #lifethisweek
Yes Natalie Th snakes in central Victoria are very poisonous. Lucky us, we only have poisonous snakes here. Just have to be careful
Aaaah lucky indeed. I’m so glad that you don’t take it for granted – to be that close to nature is a gift indeed.
I will never take it for granted Jo. Thanks for visiting again
Hi Jennifer, your place is quite similar to ours, surrounded by bush and national park, and we also have state forests too. I love your take on lucky and agree wholeheartedly with you. Lovely photos too #lifethisweek
We are both very lucky Deb. I can’t imagine living anywhere else now
I love the look of the bush and yet I could not walk as you do because I am so not keen on the crawling reptiles. Just the way it is. However, I could not be happier for you that this is “just the spot” that keeps you safe, content and happy.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week is the last Share Your Snaps for 2020 and then only one week to go after that before a short break with Life This Week returning on Mon 4 January 2021. Hope to see you next week too. Denyse.
Thanks for popping in again Denyse