Peaches

I am moving to Tamworth

And there may well be peaches involved.Peaches

Yes, friends,  I am returning to the wild North West; home of Country Music, the Golden Guitar and kooky religious groups. For every 10 people, there’s a church with a neon cross. It’s like being on the set of True Blood except there are no sexy vampires and no one can read minds. Or can they? Maybe they can? STOP THINKING ABOUT IT.

I am scared that I won’t like it. After spending nearly 10 years whining about living in Sydney (the traffic, the expense, the pace of life) what if I go back to the country and feel just as out of place?

There are lots of things I love about the city, namely food, movies and art. I love working at Hawaii Tourism Oceania and Tourism Oman. I really love my old uni friends that live here, as well as the vibrant, hilarious, creative friends I have made in Sydney.

But I am weary. I am tired of sharp angles, straight lines and grey and black; of being in debt and struggling to stay healthy in a city that demands so much time and energy.

I can’t wait to walk down the street and see dusty riding boots instead of shiny business shoes, wake up to Magpies instead of Boeings and see nothing but darkness in the night sky. I am particularly excited about popping in for cups of tea with my family, without a six hour drive between drinks.

I move back to Tamworth full-time on October 1st to start work as the Media and Public Relations Officer at the New England Institute of TAFE. It’s a six month contract so we’ll see how I go.

In the meantime, I am having a farewell bash on the eve of the Spring Equinox (September 22nd) and the theme is ‘peaches’. Save the date – details to follow.

Have you made a tree change? How did that work out for you?

 

 

 

10 comments on “I am moving to Tamworth

  1. I moved from Tamworth to Crows Nest to work in North Sydney when I was in my early 20’s. Sydney was fun but full of sad zombies all dreaming of getting out of the city each weekend and wishing they could live somewhere better.

    Tamworth would be perfect if it had an Apple store.

    The only dusty boots you will see here will be in the Country Music Festival in Jan.

    Good luck with the new job.

  2. I made a tree change – a banana tree – in 2009 and it’s one of the best decisions i’ve made. There is no way i could afford a home in Sydney that’s comparable to the one i have. Nor to head to NYC for an extended break recently. While friendships do change, they will endure, when meant to. I’ve also been blessed with a new bunch of buddies.

    The slower pace is quietly compelling. And the night sky well away from the city lights is a kind of magic.

    You’ll love it Em. Sydney will remain it’s bustling, maddening, wonderfully full-on self, ready and waiting for you to come back when you feel like a dash of the hectic life.

  3. Sydney’s loss is Tamworth’s gain. This place won’t be the same without your bubbly personality.

  4. Beware: Tamworth has its fair share of shiny business shoes (well, not so shiny, but there are fewer riding boots than there should be, dammit!).

    Also, I’ve already booked in time off to come visit you!

  5. Good for you, Em! Sounds like you’ve listened to your psyche and body and you’re acting on their needs – that’s an achievement in itself!

    When I read paragraphs 5 and 6 above, tears were welling in my eyes, so evocative are your descriptions of your feelings – and the imagery! You make ME wanna shift to the country!!

    All the best, and I really hope to see you before you go!

  6. From one country kid to another, I know these feelings too well. It hurts. Big.

    I will no doubt return to the country in a few years time after I have had enough of Sydney, too. I am thinking Mudgee 🙂 It is such a beautiful place with beautiful people and wine. And there is a cafe called the Dancing Goat – That’s the main reason for this decision.

    Make you happy! And you will make everything else in your life happy. 🙂

    LOVE YOUR FACE!

    B x

  7. Here here!
    I sympathise with all the reason, cons and pros, myself.
    Way too gray and sharp.
    Hope it turns out to be a great experience! 🙂 x

  8. However long, it will be a wonderful chapter.
    I can’t wait to visit you – please say I can come and stay! x

  9. You are all welcome to come and stay in my new country home. I imagine it will look something like Downton Abbey and I will have goats for you to frolic with in the moonlight (but not in a creepy Wollongong Satan-y way, more of wheeeeeee, let’s all be kids together kind of way). My spare room is your new holiday rental. My wine cellar is your damaged liver.

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