The melting clock and Kangaroo Island

‘ No changing of place at 100 miles an hour will make us one whit stronger,  happier or wiser. There was always more in the world that men could see; they will see it no better for going fast. The really precious things are thought and sight, not pace. ‘ John Ruskin

About 3 years ago the urge in my life became slowing down. No longer consumed by curiosity and the urge of a mad pace, I wanted the time to elongate and expand. About 2.5 years ago, when pregnant, I bought a melting clock precisely for this purpose.  Installed into our son’s room, it did its job. A glorious pregnancy travelling at leisure followed by one year of travelling around with little one. Few months ago my son placed the Dali clock in the washing machine and my other half put it on without paying attention. As one could easily anticipate, the melting clock did not survive the trick. Coincidentally or not, neither my leisure pace once fully immersed again in a full time job, motherhood and a busy social life.

So now occasionally my treat is to spend some time with myself. A privilege as any parent appreciates. Given the circumstances and absence of a melting clock, I’m travelling back to places & states of mind. And there’s one good journey that takes me to a 2 weeks sabbatical spent in Kangaroo Island. Two weeks where the clock elongated and time has been kind on me; in Hanson Bay. Two weeks where I must have enjoyed my pregnancy most.

Aside the Remarkable Rocks so hauntingly reminiscent of  Dali’s surreal take on life, Kangaroo Island is a place where the kangaroo & wallabies numbers exceed the humans. Which is a great start to anybody commuting in London or living in such urban wonderful madness. Volunteering in a wildlife centre another great thing, as the days had purpose and some structure but interactions were really up to you.

A break from myself, a holiday from my life.

The beach was pristine and humans rarely around. Besides my fellow volunteers,  I once talked to abalone fishermen.

Adopted by kangaroos, the dusk felt magic. 

The nights were dark and the sky dense with stars alive and present.

Enchanted times on a far away enchanted island.

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