Life has been a whirlpool over the last few weeks. I’m coming up for air before heading off to the Goldfields, and then, three more trips before the end of the month.
In the last ten days I’ve spent nearly a whole week in the south west. It was a busy time but I found some time to relax and take things easier when my day was done. But, the trip did not start and end as well.
Unfortunately, I did something I have never done before in all the hundreds of trips I’ve undertaken. I had forgotten to send in my travel request so I arrived in Busselton and found I had no accommodation booked. The folks at the hotel were kind enough to give me a room while the admin lady sorted that out payment with the agency. In Bunbury, the agency could not get the usual hotel and I had to stay in one I hadn’t stayed in for years. I was looking forward to it as it is more upmarket with better amenities and the perfect end to a busy few days. I thought fortune had smiled on me. Not so!
I got there later in the evening only to find new management had taken over. The girl at the desk insisted I give her details of my home and email addresses. Firstly, she didn’t need it. The agency booked me in. Secondly, my details are suppressed on the electoral roll. I don’t give out my home address. I tried to explain the situation to her. She was adamant and I grew impatient. I told her tersely, we both had a choice before us. Either I check in, or I take my business elsewhere. I checked in without giving my personal details.
Then I had to park in the underground car park where turning and bays were tight and each time my car beeped a warning, I grew more anxious. I could only see private bays so I phoned her and then she tells me, I needed to park in a special bay that was unmarked but of a specific colour, to indicate it belonged to the hotel. Of course! I muttered under my breath. I was supposed to know this! I squeezed into the bay and went up the elevator wearing my best cranky pants. With all the scrapes along the wall, I could see other cars had difficulty negotiating the tight space, too. In the few seconds it took me to go upstairs, I reasoned with myself, I needed time out before I said anything to the Receptionist, after all she was just doing her job and probably new to it as well. So I drove to Australind, a few kms out of Bunbury where I knew my spirit would be calmed.
I love this spot in Australind. It is the perfect foreground to Bunbury. The wetlands has a lot of waterbirds. It is beautiful at sunset.
I watched folks taking time out. So I picked up on their cue and stayed longer. By the time I got back to Bunbury, I had forgotten how irritable I had been.
That night I reflected on my emotions and found there was an underlying reason beyond the hotel situation that riled me up. I dislike underground car parks and I have a good reason why I don’t want people to know where I live. The trigger is a post in the making for the last year. I’ll get there one of these days.
I’m now home for a few hours before flying out. This morning I walked in the garden, coffee in hand, to the sound of birds. The lorikeets, the magpie larks, the wattlebirds, the crows, the magpies, the occasional laugh of the kookaburra, the swish of the wings of waterbirds heading to the lake. I also found the pink crepe myrtle is in full bloom, a lovely bouquet reaching to the sky. A beautiful surprise, blooming in one corner of my garden, just for me.
I’m home, although only for a few hours, but happy to be in this space, (and, without cranky pants!).
Hope you are in a happy space too.
Until next time
As always
a dawn bird
Port Denison, Western Australia
Curiosity
A Shared Space 
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