As a world of isolation dawned over 2020, Rhonda brings us an intimate story of how the bush of Mornington Peninsula saved her during the pandemic. Curl up with a cup of tea for this magical retelling of growth through nature and Rhonda’s beautiful experience of slow, mindful living that turned isolation into reconnection.
It’s 6.30am and my melodic alarm sounds and I contemplate whether to get up or stay a little longer in my warm bed. After all, it’s winter. And July in Melbourne can be brutal at the best of times.
2020 was not the year we had all planned. But you have to live with the cards you are dealt. And how we adapt to change was certainly tested this year.
Plunged into isolation
My business in Events and Travel was halted abruptly on March 19, when Victoria was plunged into lockdown. Not fully understanding what was in store, I went along for the ride with some trepidation.
As time went on, depression started to creep in. And I knew this was not a good sign.
Living alone on the Mornington Peninsula, although a beautiful place to live, was now not so great. Being isolated in a regional area, although we were clumped in with metropolitan Melbourne, was not ideal either.
How the Mornington Peninsula Bush Saved Me During the Pandemic
I am mostly a positive person that rolls with the punches. You have to be, to work in events. But I needed to make some changes to my daily routine. We could only leave home for one hour of exercise and the basics, like medial and groceries, each day.
Not a terribly active person – I don’t go to a gym or exercise with any regularity – I felt I needed to get out of the cocoon I sheltered in. After 5 weeks of isolation, only going out for groceries, I made the conscious decision to grow wings and fly the coup.
In May, the weather is cold and the wind is strong. So it was not going to be nice strolls along the beach at sunrise.
Living where I do and being fortunate enough to have the national park up the hill, I decided to venture into nature and start discovering bush tracks I’d never walked.
Related: 10 Ways I Learned to be Happy
Arthurs Seat State Park – Reconnecting with Nature
I washed my face that first morning. Strapped on my hiking boots, puffer vest, beanie and walking pants. And I drove up to Arthurs Seat National Park. It was within 5km from my house, so I was not breaking any rules.
Day by day, I found new tracks with beautiful vistas, which I had no idea even existed. This was a shocking realisation, as I am landscape photographer. Due to the restrictions, I could not walk with my gear or take images – that would be considered working, and it’s not an essential job. So I made the most of my time in nature. No buds in my ears, just me, listening and walking.
With no road or traffic sounds, the deafening quiet was heightened. Only the sound of birds, critters and the wind in the trees. It became my symphony.
Each day, I heard new sounds. Sounds I had forgotten from my childhood or took for granted as an adult. The wind that whistles through pine trees. The sound of twigs cracking as you walk. Little things.
Related: 50 Ways to Living a Simpler Life
Bubble Buddy – Reconnecting with the Locals
When July came around, it was announced we could now walk with a ‘bubble buddy’ – someone that lived within our radius. A local older woman, similarly isolated, became my new walking buddy.
We both looked forward to our daily walks. It gave us time to talk and laugh. Find the best of the situation. Most importantly, it reminded us to be grateful for where we lived.
Deep down inside, we knew this daily ritual was helping us both. We even made friends with the local kangaroos. They got so used to seeing us every day, they didn’t hop away when we walked past.
We laughed with the kookaburras each morning and said hello. The Rosellas followed us, and I was sure it was the same pair every day. They must have enjoyed the sound of our laughter.
Changing Times, Changing Seasons
Watching the seasons change from late autumn to winter and now into spring was a delight. It’s something I’d never really paid attention to… how the bush changes with time. It made apparent our disconnect with nature. Reconnecting felt like coming home.
2021 has rolled around. A lot has changed, though some might say nothing’s changed. But I feel hopeful that the new year will be like a new season. Growth, new life and plenty of fresh air in the world.
I still walk three times a week, up in the bush that I discovered, that helped me grow during 2020. I am not ready to let go of something so important to me. So, to say that the bush rescued me in a global pandemic is an understatement. I am truly grateful for the time I was given. To absolutely stop, be aware of the beauty around me. To get lost in the bush of Mornington Peninsula during the pandemic and how it saved me!
Rhonda Norman is a Mornington Peninsula local of 18 years. After leaving the big smoke of Sydney, Rhonda found solace in the peace and quiet of the Peninsula. She is the Co-Founder of Regional Experiences, has a background in Hotels, Resorts and the travel industry which spans 35 years. Now a freelance travel writer and photographer, Rhonda is sharing her stories to inspire others to explore and connect with locals, the environment, where-ever the road leads you.
