Hello @Clawde , @Emelia8 , @Anastasia , @greenpea , @Meowmy , @MDT , @Shaz51 and other members vising the Keeping Happy thread
Hi @Clawde ,
I think, if I drove the 2 hours {each way} to Geraldton to shop, that there might be some busy shopping areas. But where I live, it is more likely that the opposite occurs.
Many people go away for the holidays, so it leaves the few shops here, fairly quiet, at least no more busy than normal. One of the advantages of living in a quiet country town. The town has a population of less than 1,000 people, which is common, here in country W.A. However, during the year, if I want to search for, or purchase something out of the ordinary, it is likely that the 2 hour drive {each way} to Geraldton, or a 4 hour drive {each way} to Perth , would be required, or an online search to have something delivered.
In fact, because of the location, and in other similar locations, there are houses, of older styles, here where I live, that people could purchase for the cost of a mid range 2nd hand vehicle, that might make great holiday cottages. However, we are 1 ½ hours drive from the ocean and it is very hot and dry in the summer. During the other school holidays it is very pleasant, when it might not be quite so pleasant at beach locations.
It is interesting to compare the lifestyles, stressors and benefits of living in different areas, locations and places. I would sometimes like to go to "the snow", but to get there means a trip across Australia. The same applies for The Great Barrier Reef. There are some beautiful reefs in Western Australia and, in many, it is their isolation that can make them all the more appealing, but there are limited amenities, facilities and simple things, like accommodation and shops to purchase food and other supplies. The Bungle Bungles and Uluru are similar examples. The beautiful areas of Tasmania, which I only know of, but have yet to visit. The beauty of Australia is that we have all those opportunities in one country. And more if we include our sister country, New Zealand.
Sometimes, where we are, may not always be the best or ideal all of the time, but hopefully, most of the time it gives us what we need and therefore gives us a decent measure of happiness.
With the Wish for Happiness to All
@HenryX
