Blog for Tuesday 8th April 2025

It is well that sometimes we do not know what the day will hold for us,  or else we would not get out of bed!

My day began as usual. I got up early and made my way up to my studio to have my Quiet Time and do some Bible studying.

Later I went downstairs to shower and get dressed for a day in Port Macquarie with my man.

I woke Ken up at eight o’clock and once he was ready, we left the farm bouncing and banging over our river crossing on the tractor.

Oh no! I must tell you this – when I went to get up on the tractor this morning, I could not pull myself up onto the wheel well, I got the giggles and was pretty helpless, so I asked Ken to shove me from the rear and the more he battled to do so, the weaker I became shrieking with laughter!  I am quite sure that the men working on the Highway across the river from us could see and hear us, but I really did not care! It was so funny. Thankfully, eventually I got myself onto the tractor and we crossed the river to my little car.

I was driving and as we approached the donut intersection going into Port Macquarie my car suddenly just cut out. Thankfully the guy behind me was watching and did not hit into us from behind. I felt most embarrassed and said so to Ken, who told me not to be. A little further down the road I saw a red light flicker on the dashboard, and I told Ken so.

W-e-l-l, that’s when the fun began!

My car ‘s temperature was off the chart (or dashboard!) and I had to pull over onto the side of the road while we made a plan. I managed to limp to Rock Motorcycles where Ken then checked the oil (non-existent!) Wonderful! The water was boiling so he had to wait for it to cool down. Ken put in oil and coolant, and we drove down to the closest servo where he put water in, which simply poured out the engine onto the ground!

Problem looming … large!

All this was happening and thankfully we were very early for Ken’s specialist’s appointment, so we had time for all this hoo-hah! Ken contacted the NRMA to come and help us and after much and many calls they said they would be on their way. Ken arranged for them to meet us at “The Grange” where his appointment was, and I was to stand outside for them to see me.

So, Ken goes in for his appointment and all was going according to plan when suddenly Ken comes hurtling out to say the specialist had just got a cancellation and if Ken wanted, he could operate on his hip THIS Thursday – that is the day after tomorrow! So, we agreed that would be ideal (well sort of!)  as it would be wonderful for Ken to have had the op’ well before we fly to the USA later this year.

So, Ken goes back inside the hospital and that was him gone for three and a half hours!

I sat outside and waited and waited and waited for the NRMA.  Ken phoned me to ask if they had come yet and when I replied that they had not, he phoned them again and the lady said that someone had phoned me earlier, and I had cancelled the tow truck! (Yeah right!)

The tow truck man eventually arrived, and it was a tilt bed truck or whatever they are called. He loaded my little car onto it. Now, the car was organized, but my man was still in the bowels of the hospital somewhere! Bless the tilt bed bloke as he drove around to where Ken was still filling in screeds of forms to pick him up.

Then the three of us set sail for Wauchope where Adam (the NRMA guy) dropped my car and Ken and I off.

Bless our friend Ian (Ian and I share the leadership for our Bible Study Group) – there he was waiting for us, and he drove us all the way to the farm and then he had to turn around and drive all the way back into Wauchope.

This time I managed to get up onto the tractor without any help! And Ian stayed to make sure that we got across the river safely.

We did.

Once home Ken and I had a long chat to try and make some hasty plans before he leaves for his op’ - as I was not sure how Mich’ (our youngest who is driving up early on Thursday to help me) and I would be able to cross the river as neither of us can drive the tractor, and I had no intention of learning now!

Another good friend of ours – Peter, our mechanic and helper of building container homes guy – is going to drive the tractor to and fro, for the Thursday and Friday to get Mich’’ and I across the river, as it is far too deep for the ute’ to cross. Unfortunately, I have my dentist appointments on the Thursday and Friday, and I would like to see Ken after his op’ too so need to get on and off the farm.

I have not got as far as thinking how on earth I am going to get my man home after his op’ as he cannot drive for six weeks, and he will not be able to climb up onto the tractor either! Maybe I will have learnt to fly by them and can give Ken a lift over the river! Or I could put him in the tractor scoop on pillows and a duvet!

Both Ken and I were whacked tonight after a very long day in town, but I battled to go to sleep. I just tossed and turned and tossed and turned but did not have the energy or inclination to want to get out of bed. Very frustrating!

Bless Paddy, as he is transferring a whole lot of money into our bank account as we will have these sudden large amounts of money to pay out unexpectedly!

Life!

What lesson did I learn today? Patience … yes, more patience! I am obviously a slow leaner!

What am I grateful for today? Our NRMA membership.

My saying for today is …