ON REFLECTION-the past 5 years

[Keith Morris]

ON REFLECTION

I was tired of spending the winter months in the Western Australia Wheatbelt town Wyalkatchem, where the overnight temperature hovered around Minus (-) five degrees c, and the daytime temperature struggling to reach 8 or 9 degrees. This temperature was not acceptable to my old bones and produced aches and pains In was not prepared to suffer.

The solution was to relocate to a warmer climate for the winter months. With this in mind I purchased a compact fully airconditioned three bedroom house, situated on a 800 sq/m townsite block in the coal mining town Dysart, some 300 km inland from Mackay. I made an offer on the property sight unseen, after my Nephew who is a carpenter, checked the soundness of the house. The transaction for the purchase of the house was completed in the year 2016.


Why Mackay area ?. I worked on the Mackay Harbour and Hay Point Coal Expansion Project in the later part of 1960s early 1970s, [on reflection] I enjoyed the Winter months, and a pleasant Summer, and made allowances for the humidity. After all; this was on the doorstep of the Tropics. I eventually occupied the house in June 2017. This was the culmination of driving from the lower West Coast of Western Australia to the Central East Coast of Queensland, just in time to celebrate my birthday.

What was to be a 3 month sojourn to warmer climate has turned out to be a permanent place of residence, with the Wyalkatchem house/s being a tax deduction and a place to think about a possible visit one day in the future before I get too old.

I don't have the Winnebago “TANK” any longer ---it went to a good home ---thus any return to Wylie would have to be by Virgin, or Qantas; if Jet Fuel is still available, or even drive the mighty MG-3 across the plain, and overnight in cabins or motels along the way. I have to consider my companion Mr. Major when making such decisions. Perhaps it is just as easy to remain in Dysart, and ship my bones back to the West in a cardboard box when the time comes.

Thinking of the mighty MG-3, the purchase came with a 7 year unlimited kilometer warranty. I have had the car for one year now and I have managed to accumulate just 1,980 kilometers. The service period is every 10,000 km or 12 months, whichever is first. I missed out on the 10,000km period having only done less than 2,000km for the year. I am off to Mackay for the 12 month service and I am booked in for 28th June. The service cost cap is $230.

ON REFLECTION –THATS ALL FOLKS