Submitted: Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 19:53

I've just moved house and now live only a few minutes from my home town, Beulah. Today the afternoon light turned golden and the track to my house was glowing. I thought how lucky I am to live in the Mallee and how despite all the ravages of the drought it's still so beautiful.



My Dad. In November 2006 mum and dad were involved in a car accident and my mum was killed. Dad was 80 and Mum 75. He spent months in hospital and rehab before he was able to return home to his own house. Since then he's battled with his sadness and heartache. He didn't know why he was still here when the light of his life was gone. Gradually over the months he's regained some of his spirit. He returned to driving, which is something he loves to do. The accident, by the way was completely the fault of the other driver who failed to see my parents car and drove out in front of them.

Dad is 81 now and on Monday he and his 88 year old mate, set off to drive to Western Australia. They laughingly say they'll be the oldest men to drive across the Nullabor. They reached Burra the first night, then Port Lincoln, Streaky Bay, Eucla and last night arrived in Norseman. The excitement and enthusiasm in my Dad's voice was so good to hear. He sounded like his old self and that brought tears to my eyes.

I hope that I have the same determination when I am his age.

Here is a photo of the intrepid travellers about to head off.

Tags: Family
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