With my future travel aspirations luring me off to the greater world I often wonder if I will miss home. After reading a post by Candice on How Do You Define Home the other day it made me think about it even more.
I grew up in a little country town called Casterton which is recognized as the birthplace of the Kelpie breed of Australian Working Dog. With just on a population of 2000 people, growing up here made for a close community where everybody knew everybody and sport ruled all. The town is dominated by farmers and working class people.
My parents, grandparents and great grandparents lived here (even further back I’m sure). My parents own the local Butcher Shop and my mum also works in one of the local Banks. Not only that but I can’t count the number of local groups my mother helps out with, and my dad well among other things has been the local Scout Leader since way back when I was in it.
Just about all of my family still live here or nearby helping to keep the homely feeling whenever I do return to visit. Driving into town over the rolling hills instantly makes me feel at ease, and when i hit the road our house is on it all just feels right, like the rest of the world doesn’t exist while I am here.
To know just how much of a community there is, yesterday I had to get petrol for my parents and add it onto their account (yes this little old town still does accounts for everything you can buy). The owner knew who I was before I spoke even though I had not seem him for well over 2-3 years. Again on Christmas Eve, strolled into the local pub like old times. Annie behind the bar recognised me before I had made it to the bar and was already asking me what I had been up too.
People come and go in the town but it seems that the old charm from when I was growing up never left. Casterton is a typical aussie country town built on a community that loves where they live and is always willing to help a mate.
Unlike others who grow up in the city or have moved, the house my family lives in is the same I have known all my life. I look around and see memories everywhere, from the spot I used to work on my push bike to helping my dad work the garden.
As a future traveler where i will be roaming the world I know home will always be in Casterton. Where the memories flow like a raging river and there will always be a friendly face to say g’day too.
If you ever make it into this part of the world, stay a day, say g’day and get acquainted with the town I love. See my father and he might even hook you up with a steak you will never forget.
Sounds a lot like my home, the intimacy of it all! I’m glad I grew up in such a small town, I feel like the experience was pretty unique compared to most.
That’s it, this experience is so different to most everybody else that lives in the city etc. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Love this post. 🙂 Memphis isn’t the biggest city, but it’s still fairly large and unless you go to a certain restaurant/bar/store over and over and over, people aren’t going to recognize each other. In a way, though, it’s fun because there’s always a new place in Memphis to explore. 🙂
Living away from home for the last 10 years I will admit I enjoy the ability to go to a new restaurant each week and sample what else there is to offer.
Going home thought and always running into an old friend when out really can’t be beaten. Something I know I will miss while overseas.
Hi Chris, Just wanted to say I love love love your blog!
I have just started one (literally today) as I am two months into my own adventure and needed a way to release it. As I googled my blog name yours was the third to come up on the list and it was a HUGE surprise to see you are from Casterton! I grew up on a farm at Tarrayoukyan, north of Coleraine!
What a small place the world seems to be.
I’m not sure what adventures await me but your blog hits close to home in so many aspects, and has been so helpful!
Hope your next chapter in Perth is as rewarding as your years abroad. 🙂
Hi Megan, thanks for the kind words you’ll have to let me know your blog name so I can look it up. Hope my site can be of use to you and just fire over a message should you have questions on travel or running a blog.
And yes a small world indeed I’ve a few friends that live/lived up that way. but I’m surprised by the number of people who do know of our little area of oz.