Wednesday 11 May 2016

Contrasts


Highs or lows; reds or blues; g'days or bonjours; same spiritual connection...

My husband returned from a work trip last night. He had been to far central west Queensland and, from Sydney, it had taken him 28 hours to get there by car, 3 planes, car, an overnight stop and then a 6-hour flat bitumen and dirt road trip. Along the final leg of the journey, a distance of nearly 400 km, he passed a car - one. There was a bit more life at the only roadside shed/pub, where he stopped to have a Diet Coke and was gently ribbed by one of the, well, I presume, locals, for "living it up, mate!"

Job completed he turned around to do the whole lot again that same afternoon, hoping to make it past Winton to Longreach for his next day's flight out. There were no rooms to be had at the inn or anywhere else. A rugby league carnival had come to town.

Undeterred, he took a room in Winton and shared it with the thousands of bugs that commandoed their way into his room around locked door and window frames, to keep him company. Astute he is, my husband. He calmly turned on the air conditioning until the flying insects could shiver no more and got a few hours of rest, before completing the last 180 km to Longreach and his next plane.

I thought I'd share his journey with you.

From the French mountains to the Australian desert plains; the bright blues and greens of the Annecy Lake to the many shades of outback red; the sensual sounds of the French oh là là to the slow, unhurried Aussie drawl - you can see for yourselves how we live our different lives.




























6 comments:

  1. The last picture is quite beautiful!

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    1. Thanks Andrea. Of course, once again it is my husband the photographer. We make a good team - one each for the pictures and words!

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  2. What a fun juxtaposition of images. Though I never tire of France, I am fascinated by Australia.

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    1. Thanks! Yes, both countries have so much to offer, such that I am completely torn between the two. Maybe it is the vastness of the open spaces but there is a real spirituality to being out in the Australian desert.

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  3. Stunning pictures, Catherine! I totally understand what you mean about living a life of contrasts. I often feel that way as I find my balance between life in France and my roots in the United States.

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    1. Before leaving France to come back to Australia a girlfriend commented that "now I would have two places to call home". With both places being so far apart it does create extra complexity and there are certainly times when I wish I were in the other place. But, then I have to remind myself that I was and still am lucky to have the choice. Hope that you are enjoying the beautiful weather in Bordeaux!

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