Gone Walkabout

My apologies to people trying to contact me this last week or so, but I’ve been away from Possum Valley.

I am not easily prised away from my own little enclave, my kingdom in the misty mountains, but this I had to do. A contract job it the frontier country up the ‘Top End’. It looked like being tough going and hard yakka, but I reckoned I was up for it and had the practical skills to see it through.

I am a fair carpenter and builder, decent bush mechanic, though these computer cars don’t like you tinkering with them. I’ve done some mechanical, hydrology and sewerage, electrical and electronic design and troubleshooting, worked on farms, tree felling, road surveying and maintenance, and mineral exploration in remote places where survival is your own responsibility and not guaranteed for the unwary.

And the job was …… babysitting. My daughter was required to go to Darwin uni for a few days of workshops lectures and seminars, as part of her MA in community health. Her husband had blown his total year’s leave allowance on an upcoming family trip to Europe, so I was left, well, holding the baby. A boy 11 months old who had only been separated from his mother for a 2 hour period which didn’t go too well.

I renewed my acquaintanceship formally by introducing myself and gently shaking his hand. Silly perhaps, but I believe everyone one I meet is worthy of respect. At the least, he knew I was communicating directly with him and he was the focus of my attention.

My daughter gave me a thorough briefing about sleep times and rituals, feeding and washing, diversions and outings, disaster management and emergency numbers. I got a tour of the fridge and freezer for prepared diners, and written lists of all of the above in case I forgot.

I love babies. They can quite overlook if you are old and ugly, with wrinkles and stubble and a few teeth missing. They don’t care if you smell like old carpets and are balding and gray. It’s no matter to them if you sag and are misshapen. Bony or fat, it’s all the same to them.

But they are perceptive in ways you can’t hide. From the earliest age they study faces and are sensitive to the emotions shown. I am sure they feel your body language as you hold them and in return you can feel them relax against you when you are accepted. Isn’t it beautiful that babies are not distracted by the vanities and public persona we project, but see to our hearts? I am pleased to say he saw my affection and good intentions.

In case anyone doesn’t know, Darwin is hot. Effin’ hot. Day and night all round hot, except in the wet season when it is hotter. And humid. This has some advantages when raising babies. They don’t need clothes, this saves on washing. They can live naked in the garden as long as there is shade, and there is more of interest to them in a garden than a truck load of plastic toys. You can hose them off after meal times. Believe me this is a real boon when my carefully constructed meals get promptly deconstructed, with the good bits eaten and the boring stuff used as face rub.

Me and the kid got along just fine together from 8 to 5 when his parents came home. My first grandfather responsibility, and I loved it.

My other daughter is due to deliver another grandson early June. Hey, this is great! Never thought of of being a grandfather as a career opportunity before. Doesn’t pay well, but the bonuses are amazing!