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Thu 24 Nov 2022

A week or so back I decided to sign up with one of those dating sites. I always thought they would be a bit of a joke but a friend found his current partner on one so why not give it a try eh? The one I originally signed up with was pretty bad as is happens, but I met someone there that recomended another site, so I jumped ship and within days I spot a profile of someone that I reckon I could like.

At this point I don't know her name because most profiles use a handle, but "heartful" seems nice and has this as part of her profile.

conspiracy theories I like to make it clear at the start that I won't date anyone that is vaxed. I have an aversion to the 'f'bomb and don't use that language at all. Don't do one night stands or friends with benefits. I love to share intelligent conversation and enjoy stargazing, beach walks and dancing. I don't watch msm or listen to the radio. I enjoy coffee dates and fish and chips, simple pleasures and laughter is what life is about. I am a little shy until I feel comfortable in your company and then.......... look out ??

Fri 25 Nov 2022

At 6:25AM I send this message to Heartful

Then get on with things but regularly check to see if there is a reply.

Nothing for a couple of hours and I figure "Oh well, 'twas worth a try".

Then at 9:51AM she replies, "Hi Rob, my name is Geri..."

Tue 29 Nov 2022

Tomorrow I go to meet Geri, I'm scared witless in some ways, not worried at all in others. We've talked a lot on the phone and using Messenger, it's pretty clear that we can hold a conversation, but face to face is different.

Wed 30 Nov 2022

Meet Geri for the first time. It's the standard "coffee date" which as I understand it often gets a little uncomfortable. But we click right away and talk for six hour before I regretfully have to leave to get home before dark.

I did actually buy a flower to give to Geri as I figured that was the standard thing to do, heck what do I know, I've never really dated at all and certainly not for about 50 years.

So anyway I bought a rose, but as it happens my cherry tomatoes are growing well right now and on a whim I ditch the rose and replace it with a string of tomatoes. But when I get to the meeting place I lose my nerve and leave them in the car, let's just see how we get on, she might not be the type that likes a joke.

Well she is the type that likes a joke. Did I mention that we have the same sense of humour? After chatting for hours it was obvious that we have a lot in common so just as we part I give her the tomatoes.

As first dates go you couldn't do much better I think.

Thu 01 Dec 2022

A couple of photos I took while on my way to Hervey Bay yesterday. Not exactly Pulitzer Prize winners, but pleasing enough I think.

Fri 02 Dec 2022

New lathe and mill, plus a bundle of steel I bought second hand.

Mon 05 Dec 2022

Wothehellizat has gone.

That is definitely the end of that chapter in my life, and maybe just in time to start a new one.

Wed 07 Dec 2022

Geri and I meet again, this time in Childers, about half way between her place and mine.

Once again we chat for about six hours, that does seem to be the norm for us

We both opened up a lot I think and every topic seems to be comfortable between us. I don't know where this is going but I do know where I would like it to go as I'm not sure I'm cut out to be a lone curmudgeonly hermit, but let's not get ahead of ourselves eh?

I still have the rose I bought for our first date so this time I give it to her...well at least I give her the stalk, the petals died some time ago.

Sun 19 Dec 2022

Geri has a few close girlfriends and today the gang is coming up to Wallaby Ridge to stay for a couple of days. I guess we can call this a test run for her and me but with the girls as chaperones.

Still despite the other girls being here Geri and I spend a lot of time together, we talk a lot and say a lot to each other. We hold hands a lot and hug a lot.

I suggest that we go for a walk on my track, expecting that it will be a gentle stroll but that there might be some new growth so I take a machete.

New growth, yeah you could say that. The gentle stroll turned into a full-on bush bash at times with me having to cut a path through the dense lantana. But she is a real a trooper, even seemed to enjoy it.

Geri is definitely a "keeper" and she does seem to think the same about me.

Tue 10 Jan 2023

A friend of Geri's has broken her leg. She lives in a tent on a bush block and won't be able to look after herself there so for a while she's moved into my place.

I don't really have anywhere to accommodate visitors of any kind let alone someone that is incapacitated, but we'll manage with a strecher in the living room.

Tue 17 Jan 2023

Let's just move that bridge timber I said. It'll be fun I said.

Yeah not as much fun as I envisged as it turns out. While turning the beam around I run with my end so as to limit the time we have to carry the heavy timber, and I trip. To make matters worse I don't want to let go and "save" myself with my hands because that will cause a whiplash at the other end for Geri, so I go down with the ship.

Luckily my fall is arrested when my head makes contact with a sharp rock.

Man there is blood everywhere and I can't stem the flow with my hands but a towel seems to do the trick.

I am happy to just sit for a while holding the towel to the wound until the bleeding stops then get back to work, but the girls insist that they call an ambulance so I get a free ride into town.

#head0

#head4

#head3

#head2

11 stitches later.

#head1

And the worst thing is that the doctor seems very competant, "You shouldn't have a scar" he says. NO SCAR? What's the point of doing something like this if you don't get a good scar to brag about for the next few years?

Comments

Date  ::	05 Sep 2023
Name  ::	Rod
Location  ::	Perth
Comment  ::	Ha Ha love it, Tomatoes, rose thorns, machete, falling over your own feet, bleeding head wound, keep it up Rob. best of times Rod ps, try hard not to up the anti to much with the mating dance, think more like a lyrebird than a bulldozer ;)
Date  ::	07 Sep 2023
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Thanks Rod, the last few months have been a wild ride that's for sure
Date  ::	17 Sep 2023
Name  ::	Daina
Location  ::	Wollongong
Comment  ::	Wonderful news Rob, though I never thought you would be on the market for long. All the best to you both!
Date  ::	21 Sep 2023
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Thanks Daina, she has certainly turned my life around that's for sure.
Date  ::	22 Sep 2023
Name  ::	erik Huijsmans
Location  ::	Netherlands
Comment  ::	Great news and Thank for sharing.
Date  ::	01 Oct 2023
Name  ::	Mr. Sharkey
Location  ::	Minerva, Oregon, USA
Comment  ::	I'm happy for you, Rob. Reading your words here brings tears to my eyes. Go well, both of you, together.
Date  ::	10 Oct 2023
Name  ::	Tony G.
Location  ::	Liverpool NSW Australia
Comment  ::	Hi Rob. I hope this msg finds you Happy, and Healthy. Congratulations on finding Geri. What are your plans for the Cruiser Camper now?
Date  ::	15 Oct 2023
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Erik: No problems, thanks for reading. Sharkey: It's been many years eh? Are you still doing the motorhome thing? Yes things are going very well now, but it was rough for a while Tony: Who would have thought one could find love in your late 60s eh? I'm not complaining
Date  ::	16 Oct 2023
Name  ::	Mr. Sharkey
Location  ::	Minerva, Oregon, USA
Comment  ::	Doing the motorhome thing? Eh, yes and no. I did put up my website back up on a new domain last year (http://www.houserucks.org) after nine years of it being dark. It's now basically the same old site of house trucks and buses with a layer of blog posts floating on top. Ten years back, I ceased to live in my housetruck, and now have a more "normal" domicile. Some details here: http://www.housetrucks.org/where-is-sharkey-now . Just kicking back and trying to act retired, but no chance I'll be slowing down any time soon, instead, working on my own projects now and letting the rest of the world go on without any more of my participation than necessary.
Date  ::	20 Nov 2023
Name  ::	Sheridan
Location  ::	Wandiligong
Comment  ::	G'day Rob, Haven't Checked in for a whilst after losing my wife of 18 years to another guy. So happy to read this and see where you're at. I ended up down a similar path to you minus the head injury. Hope your doing well mate. Cheers
Date  ::	16 Mar 2024
Name  ::	Robert
Location  ::	sydney
Comment  ::	Hi Rob, Would look forward to more of your blogs.. whats the latest??
Date  ::	21 Mar 2024
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	I dunno mate, there is a LOT happening here but I wonder about continuing the blog. After 20+ years I don't know if I have the enthusiasm any more. And almost nobody reads it these days. We'll see.
Date  ::	21 Mar 2024
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	OK, I'll do another one at least
Date  ::	26 Mar 2024
Name  ::	Nuno
Location  ::	Portugal
Comment  ::	Blogs are out of fashion for sure. Hope you're doing great and good to hear from the other side of the world
Date  ::	26 Mar 2024
Name  ::	Mr. Sharkey
Location  ::	Minerva, Oregon, USA
Comment  ::	Ummmm, Rob, not to chastise you, but there ~is~ a cause a cause-and-effect result, web traffic-wise, of not putting up blog posts periodically. For those of us who haven't drunken the Facecrook/social media KoolAid, having friends you care about drop off the face of the internet is sad. Personally, I think about you often and wonder how your "new life" is getting along, and miss your wry sense of humor and innovative construction project descriptions. Then there's the photos! No room at this end for guilt trips, as my own blog/website suffers from neglect, but I have "excuses"! One way or the other, be well, and thanks for all the attention over the years.
Date  ::	30 Mar 2024
Name  ::	GRAYnomad
Comment  ::	Thanks everyone. OK, I have had a long think and decided that I should continue the blogs. Working on the next one now. Drop back in a few days.
Date  ::	29 Apr 2024
Name  ::	El Rico
Location  ::	Wellington, the East Island
Comment  ::	Lovely reading. Some people are wrapped up in tattoos. Scars are more authentic I reckon. The trick is to space out the time between the events that earn them.

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