Gordon's Ebb & Flow: A Solo Chapter

Our paths diverged temporarily at the Hobart airport, where after Sal's departure, Anth guided our home-on-wheels back to the tranquil waters of Gordon foreshore. The same peaceful spot we'd discovered earlier still beckoned, offering unobstructed views of the sunrise painting its daily masterpiece over the silhouette of Bruny Island. Our trusty bus settled into position, ready to serve as both sanctuary and observatory for the coming days.

The morning brought an unexpected moment of nomadic camaraderie when our temporary neighbour Dion, accompanied by his faithful girl dog, approached with a request. A journey to Franklin along the Huon River awaited, and Anth gladly stepped in to help relocate Dion's second vehicle. The forty-minute drive through Tasmania's lush countryside provided a welcome adventure, made even more practical by Dion's thoughtful stop at the local grocery store. This proved particularly fortuitous, as our original shopping had anticipated a different scenario – one where we'd both be away for two weeks, rather than just Sal's journey to Queensland while Anth awaited news about clinical trials post our upcoming Japan adventure.

Back in Gordon, as Dion and his four-legged companion continued their own journey, our bus became Anth's solitary haven for the next two and a half weeks. Tasmania's notorious weather proved to be an ever-changing companion – fierce winds that tested our bus's sturdy frame, brilliant sunshine that sparkled off the water, moody clouds that painted the sky in endless shades of gray, and rain that drummed a constant rhythm on our metal roof. Each day unfolded like a weather lottery, keeping Anth on his toes and reminding us why we fell in love with this unpredictable island.

The solo time proved productive as Anth tackled our growing list of bus maintenance tasks – those small but essential jobs that ensure our mobile home runs smoothly. As often happens with such projects, each completed task seemed to reveal two more waiting in the wings, but there was satisfaction in the steady progress.

Life at the Gordon foreshore took on its own rhythm, much like the tides that perpetually lapped at the shoreline beside our bus. The campsite itself became a living, breathing entity, with travelers flowing in and out like the waters that surrounded us. Groups of grey nomads would gather in circles, their chairs arranged like storytelling circles of old, sharing tales of adventures past and roads well-traveled. Young families brought bursts of energy and laughter, children's excitement echoing across the water as they discovered the simple joys of coastal camping. Seasoned full-time travelers, kindred spirits to our own lifestyle, would come and go, each carrying their own stories of life on the road. This constant ebb and flow of humanity provided a comforting backdrop to Anth's solo days.

Between these social observations and maintenance tasks, Anth made what would become a pivotal booking – our return journey on the Spirit of Tasmania. The earliest available crossing wasn't until June next year, a revelation that put our entire Tasmanian adventure into perspective. We were, remarkably, only halfway through our island exploration, with many more seasons of discovery ahead of us on this captivating island state.

While Anth immersed himself in both physical tasks and the digital realm of our online business ventures, Sal was embracing her own journey in Queensland. The pursuit of her Masters of Counselling brought both academic challenges and deep fulfillment, confirming it was indeed her perfect path. Between university sessions and assignments, she found precious moments with family, helping Sophie and Mackenzie prepare for their own life transition, moving from the very home we'd left behind to begin our nomadic adventure.

Though physically apart, our hearts remained synchronised, each day bringing us closer to reunion. When Sal finally boarded her Brisbane flight home, Anth bid farewell to our peaceful Gordon haven, guiding our bus along familiar roads to welcome her back – our nomadic family complete once more.Читать далее