Journey

"I go to nature to be soothed, healed and have my senses put in order"  EO Wilson

We have spent the last couple of days with Grannie and Grandad Gardiner, and we have been lucky to spend them outside.  Sean, Rory and I spent a day with Grandad surveying carbon farms for wild hares, goats and deer.  The land is covered with pine trees and grass on a huge scale, 2,250ha, as far as the eye can see.  Grandad drove the All Terrain vehicle which he has kitted out for hunting.  Rory and I rode and acted as spotters while Sean was the shooter.  Colt spent the day with Grannie Gardiner.  Today we did a swap and Rory spent the day with Grannie.  Sean, Colt and I headed into the Ruahine Forest Park to tramp to Stanfield Hut.  It was an easy walk through the forest, along an old access track and up the river to the Hut.  We snuck past a grumpy red deer stag.  It was wonderful to be in the big green away from everything.  Of all the changes to our lives from Rory's fight for survival, and subsequent disabilities, the one I feel most keenly is the loss of days in the wild.  They are now so few and far between.  We used to go out for a day most weekends.  Time in the wild helps me cope with the volume and complexity of Rory's needs, and the sacrifice of my own.  Support carers who are willing to work weekends are incredibly rare, and if we can find one it costs us upwards of $150/day.  Unfortunately there is no easy solution or turning back the clock.  On our way to Dannevirke we made a stop at Basically Bush in Woodville.  Rory bought a pair of possum skin/fur fingerless gloves to keep his hands warm during winter.  His hands are always cold due to nerve damage. Rory says the gloves are the best.    

This week I have had a couple of meetings for Rory.  I met with David Cripps re support for Rory and the other senior students from Te Awhinatia at the Inglewood High ball.  I am helping Rory organise dinner for the students and their parents beforehand.  We made a visit to the North Taranaki Community Men's Shed with Co-ordinator Phil, Companion and timber builder/artist Peter and Poppa Honnor to discuss Rory becoming a member.  This will allow him to participate in activities and continue to enjoy and develop his love of woodwork.  We are going to start on a trial basis on a Thursday morning.  I really hope it works out.