In my Life Before Tassie (LBT) it felt like I was constantly rushing, always trying to do too much with the time I had. Learning to slow down took some time, until I was able to really be in the moment, see what was around me and to stop and smell the flowers (literally!).
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| Flowers blooming at the Old Dairy |
I also learnt a great deal about the folk who call Tassie home. They seem to fall under two groups. Many were former Mainlanders who had seen the light and transitioned to a Tassie lifestyle, without ever looking back. Many of these were creative types, often with young families, who were seeking a more alternative way to live. With the goal of being closer to nature, living their dreams in Tassie had become a reality for artisans and those seeking sustainable lifestyles.
The second type of Taswegians seem to have had ancestors who had settled this wild and rugged lans and had lived in Tassie for generations. They could tell amazing stories of their history and how places had changed to become the countryside I was still getting to know.
When the opportunity arose, we took Government contract jobs that had us driving down backroads and seeing parts of the countryside that most wouldn't see. Upon knocking on some doors, we discovered that there was a reason these folk chose hidden away locations...they did not want to be found! The Bandycoot even spoke to one fellow who had not left his house in 8 years!! There were crazies, crackpots and also kind-hearted folks who invited us in for a cuppa or even a beer. Wherever we went we found that people were not afraid to be open, to share their thoughts and often share the benefit of their local knowledge.
Though now living back on the mainland, I still refer to myself as 'part-Tasmanian' and know that I keep a bit of Tassie in my heart wherever I go.
