July 13, 2014

To Belong


I was born and bred in a regional city in New South Wales, with a population (at the moment) of around 21000 people.  I grew up surrounded by family and friends, and felt comfortable and safe with the familiarity of my hometown.

For the last 18 years I've lived in Queensland, the last 6 of those on our farm. This is now my home, where I am raising my family and I couldn't think of any other place I would rather be.  Fresh clean air, a country lifestyle and beautiful weather!

We have just returned from a school holiday roadtrip back to my birthplace, 3200 kilometres in total, and all I can say is thank God for ipods, ipads and portable dvd players!

We drove inland through many small country towns, and we like to go this way as the scenery is very pretty and interesting. We have our usual traditions of course, the Rocket Ship Park at Moree, and our most favourite cafe for breakfast in Narrabri Watson's Kitchen.



I was the first to spot the huge radio telescope at Parkes, winning me a fredo frog thanks Hubbster and we laughed at each crazy sculpure of the quirky Animals on Bikes.

It was so good to see my family, albeit for a short time.  I really miss them, distance is a hard thing to deal with, especially when it becomes time to leave. 

I hate goodbyes.

There is something so grounded about revisiting old haunts.  The familiarity, the nostalgia, the emotion of belonging somewhere.  The delicious memories of growing up and discovering yourself.

I love my hometown and I'll always have that, but I love my new home, I really do.  This is where I belong now, the country hills, the beautiful weather, the peace and quiet of our farm.

It's been a dynamic change and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Tell me about your hometown,  What are your memories?

7 comments:

Jonathan The Great said...

Oh gosh -- well, I grew up in the small town of Brockway, Pennsylvania. Population 2500 maybe. I do have fond memories, mostly of the house I grew up in. It now sits forlorn and empty after I sold it to settle my divorce. While I miss some of the residents, I don't particularly miss the town. I didn't land too far from the tree. I now live about 10 miles away from where I grew up, and am now trying to create my own little "universe" of my cats and myself; a little sanctuary where friends and family are always welcome. My wanderlust left several years ago.

Boy, that's not much of a response, huh? :)

LisaW said...

I grew up in the Sutherland Shire (God's country to the locals), and it has taken me many years to say that I now belong in the Illawarra. I've been living here 13 years now, and it's only the last few that I've felt comfortable. Now when I visit my old home town, I know that it's not home anymore.

Norlin said...

I grew up in Singapore, so as you can tell it is a LOOONG way from home - or rather my previous home. Things are different, faster, more crowded but the food and shopping there is amazing. I miss my friends, some of my family but I'm now so grounded here in Melbourne that I can't imagine moving anywhere else.

Mimsie said...

Thank you for sharing your visit to your home town and the kilometres you travelled in itself tells of how large our country of Australia is.
I am not sure you would call it my home town as I was only there until nearly 6 years old. It was a tiny town (more a siding really) just north of Albany called Narrikup. I was taken there when adopted by my wonderful English parents and I often wish we'd stayed there as I love country life. Unfortunately mum became very ill and we had to head for the big smoke so I guess my home town is really Perth as I've lived in its various suburbs over the past 76 years. I still yearn for the country though but at our age we need to be close to medical back-up so Perth it is.

River said...

I'm not sure what I would call my hometown, we moved a fair bit until I was six, then settled in Port Pirie where I lived until I was sixteen, so I suppose that is my hometown. It was okay because I didn't know any different, but once I left, I knew I would never miss it and never go back, except to visit my sister. Adelaide is my home now, but there's no "real" connection. I stay because all my kids are here.

Jacana said...

I had never heard of animals on bikes - just went to the link and watched a video. Now have another place to add to my must see in Australia list - thanks for this post.

Farmers Wifey said...

I've loved reading your stories, about your hometown and history, thanks for sharing xo