After having my shower in
the amenities block in Whyalla caravan park this morning I met a
lovely woman. She wasn't young, I estimate around 80, maybe late
70's. We cordially said good morning and then she started talking.
The first thing she said
was that caravanning was not an easy for women and she felt tired and
worn out by all the work she needed to do each day to support her
husband. Stating that she prepared 3 meals a day, did cleaning and
washing as well as helping with the caravan set up. Full time life on
the road was not a glamorous or romantic lifestyle and her advice the
other women would be not to do it.
Once this dear woman
started to talk it was as if the flood gates had opened and she
couldn't stop. As I stood there listening to her tale of woe I
wondered if I was the only person to listen to her for a long time.
They had come from Perth
where a family member had taken most of their money and house, it
sounded like a very sad situation. Her daughter in law and
grandaughter had been very unkind and she was clearly very hurt and
upset about them. She shared intimate details about them I wouldn't
expect to hear from someone I'd only just met.
They had been in Whyalla
for 5 weeks and were hoping to move to NSW where they could settle
peacefully, somewhere that wasn't too hot in the summer and far away
from Perth. In reality, I'm not sure she really knew where they were
heading next, she seemed confused and said they may even end up at
the Gold Coast.
They had had battery
trouble with the van and the system had to be replaced, consequently
they were out of funds and now stranded waiting for their next
pension payment to finance further travel. Oh gosh I felt so sorry
for this small frail woman in front of me. I so wish I'd asked her
name, but sadly didn't.
I get the feeling that the
isolation of caravan parks and constant travel, having no friends and
an alienated family was getting the best of her.
Reluctantly I had to leave
her as we were travelling on and the last thing she said to me was
“you know we have to be there for each other, women are important
and we should stick together”
I've been thinking about
her all day.
