I had my last day in the field on Friday in the good old faithful gumboots which have been with me for a very long time, since 2003 infact. It will be nice to switch into the travelling boots and leave the Tassie winter behind for a bit.
It’s time to say good bye to Tassie and venture out into the big wide world for the next phase of my Nuffield journey! And yes I am feeling very emotional and grateful to all the wonderful people in my life. This phase is me all on my own finding answers to my Nuffield topic and let’s just say I am extremely nervous and very much out of my comfort zone. And I’ll put it out there I am full of fear!
It’s been a whirl wind few weeks at home, and my mind feels more scattered than it was when I arrived home from the Global Focus Program. (when I find a spare moment I will post some experiences from the GFP, it was the most amazing experiences and I am feeling a lot more worldly wise now).
There’s always a crew of people behind us Scholars, who keep the wheels turning at home, while we travel the world. And I’d really like to take the time to say Thankyou cause everything is appreciated SO much yet I might not have shown it through this busy stressful time for me!
Thanks to Botanical Resources Australia and all the crew there who have supported me and picked up all of my work load to keep the py growing. To Ben Wilson for all the support and listening when I needed sometime to try make sense of all I have seen and about to do.
Josh Molendyk thanks for the help when I scream out with my lack of technology questions and words of reassurance. That’s probably goes to Ben as well! Josh also thanks for the late after noon cake deliveries when I have been working late at home. Alchemy at Forth you make the best healthy cakes!!
Mark for dropping what he was doing on Saturday to let me in to work when I’d locked myself out. Thank goodness I had a phone!!!
The past Scholars I have reached out to Nicky Mann, Anthony Brandsema, Rob and Jane Dent, Michael Chilvers, Karon Brock and Abby McKibben when I needed some mental help, planning this trip and fitting back into normal life after GFP. Also to all of the Aussie 2018 crew and other 2018 scholars.
Jen for putting up with the endless fashion parades and questions about cloths and Dad for that matter. Dad for all the support and believe in me and being brave enough to put his hand for a second time to look after Maggie!!! (I know secretly he loves having her about even though she runs away, trip tramps around the house and buries bones in the lawn!!) Also the rest of my family for all of your support and believe, couldn’t do it with out you. I know its just been phone calls to catch up but there just has not been a lot of time to fit proper catch up with anyone.
My neigbhours, for watching out for me and mowing my lawns, Gill and Chris and walking Maggie when I just didn’t have to time. Sharon and Clint you are life savers, no more broken taps in my house!! Of course these things happens just before you are about to leave.
And Liz for your support and taking up my trousers for me when I really just didn’t have time but thought I did!
Everyone’s kind words and excitement at what I’m about to do! Even though I got a bit caught up in just all the work and pressure of it all, and forgot it was an exciting time! Yeah I know it’s going to be amazing – I just need to take a breath!
Jeremy and Kristen for being great friends, helping me to relax and feeding me good nourishing food just when I needed it and making me take the time to stop.
Victa – Thankyou for every thing and just being a good friend! Fitting in phonecalls when you really didn’t have the time and trying to make me laugh amongst the tears.
Julian for all of the thought you have put into my project – (not many people go out and find tiny seed to see if it can be direct drilled!!) and all the contacts you have sorted for me in France and sending me pictures of France that make me want to get there now even though I am freaking out about driving on the wrong side of the road and not having a word of french. I can’t wait to meet your family and baby girl.
And off course to my investors Blundstone, Bruce Wall trust, Robert Gatenby Memorial Trust, and Tasmanian Alkaloids and Nuffield Australia. Without your support none of this would be possible. Thanks so much for seeing the potential in me and giving me the opportunity for massive growth and an adventure and journey of a life time.
Thankyou Thankyou to everyone and all those I have forgotten to mention that have helped me out and have made this possible, and for putting up with my spinning mind full of lots of ideas and the scattered and stressed out brain over the last few weeks, it’s been a whirlwind year and the adventure keeps continuing!
First stop England. Then to Europe and over to the Americas! It’s going to be a busy, adventure filled and insightful (in more ways than one – personally and regen Ag) filled 2 months.
See you all when I’m back! You thought I talked a lot after returning from GFP, I’m sure there is going to be so much more talking when I get back from this trip!!!