On my return from two weeks away visiting family and attending a school reunion I was inundated with emails - 380 to be precise, a lot of which concern this Post above. I have now read the Post. Thank you to everyone for their wonderful support, even those who don't know us, but special thanks to those who emailed me to let me know it had happened and to ask exactly what happened. I wouldn't normally reply to something like that but out of respect for those who have asked it was simply this.
I was directly involved in one incident only - the man told me he lurked on EO, was not a member but would be going on to the
Forum to tell everyone how awful I was. He'd come out of
the Desert with his poor family in the rain and couldnot and would not understand there was no dry space for a family in a tent and took considerable offence at the suggestion that sandhills around town were the driest spots - even though they could still shower here and have coffees etc. He is a very tall man, I won't mention the state he comes from or his numberplate - he is an angry man, a bully, his wife is quite down trodden and he allowed his
young children to be witness to the tirade. I accused him of being a bully to women - and had Ian been here (he went out for the day) he wouldn't have carried on like that.
I am only sorry that he allowed his children to be there- I am also sorry that I lowered myself to his level. The incident is over and done with. I was very distressed by it and have thanked the people who came to my aid afterwards - they were witness to it and have spoken on the
Forum. It is not often that I get extremely distressed in public - a measure of the level of stress felt by both Ian and I at the time. As it turns out the Hotel people were having similar problems with similar issues - as small business people in the same industry dealing with the same people we frequently, sometime daily, have de-briefing meetings - and we remind each other of the good times and nice people who travel and visit.
As for the other incident - Ian was involved with that - it was sorted by me and those people have been kind enough to comment (kindly) on the
Forum.
I have absolutely no knowledge of anything to do with Overlander or the
Forum - there were three vehicles here during the rain who were hoping to go to Camerons Corner for their gathering and a week or so after the gathering some other vehicles came through. I am unaware of anything untoward.
This is a public
Forum but not the place for public slanging matches - and those who know me, know my feelings about things like that. A
Forum is a place for the dissemination of knowledge and experience and the passing of relevant technical information. It is sad that out of 20,000 visitors each year there may be between 20 and 50 who rankle - but it is a very small percentage of lovely people who are excited to have finally found their dream of visiting
the Desert or
Birdsville and listening to their great adventures and experiences and hearing of their hopeful adventures. This is why we do what we do and why we are here - although working 24/7 for 9 months of the year, when you are tired and are asked for information and you give it and then people go out and do silly things, you do sometimes wonder why. If anyone would like a small business in an isolated area dealing with drought, floods, flies and people please apply now. Who was that wise man who said - I love mankind, it's people who are difficult. LOL.
Thank you to everyone for their
views and the wonderful support of the 'family' - it makes a difference. Ruth Doyle.
To Becky, there is only one person who calls me Goddess - he's the only one who would dare.