Since my wife, Barbara, and I have taken on voluntary caretaker roles at Carrieton at the bottom of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, there has been little time for the creative juices to flow, but occasionally some words insist on being written…
To Carrieton
Has it really been a month
Since to Carrieton Caravan Park we came
With only a sketchy idea
Of what the Caretaker role would contain.
This time has passed so quickly
Meeting new travellers daily
Hundreds of toilets cleaned
Handbasins, showers and floors.
And other major and minor tasks
Taking bookings and sorting spaces
Making beds, vacuuming and tidying
Weeding, maintenance and mowing.
Meeting members of the local community
Such a plus in all of this
People generous with their time
And so willing to help us settle.
And whenever I look around me
At the ranges that surround
The pleasure of such beauty
Caresses and nurtures my soul.
Brian Matthews 17-9-26
Though the Caretaker role has many positives, including meeting many lovely people who are off to explore the North of South Australia and beyond, the tasks required do cause some aches and pains for a 75 year old body…
It Comes and Goes
It feels so good to wake without pain
So long it seems since this has been
I wonder if it will soon start again
But, hopefully, it’s the last of it seen.
Growing older is a challenge
One that many do not have the chance to face
So from this life we need to scavenge
All the experiences that awaits.
Bemoaning all the aches and niggles
Detracts from all the joy around us
So I’ll try to face my life with giggles
Ignoring that which causes fuss.
Understanding what causes discomfort
Is often a puzzle to unpick
But no matter the sensations we’ve caught
A positive attitude will usually do the trick.
Brian Matthews 3-10-26
