i've been off the road a couple of weeks now after some exciting playing with the lads. several states. lots of miles. lots of good people. the genuine feedback keeps me going.
but my heart is here, with my wife and children. and, following the example of our son and daughter, my bare feet have been in the sun warmed soil of the veggie garden. they are my teachers so often.
i look out on mountains, and feel weather here, that remind me of where i grew up in australia. i could be back on the farm ...
another day until we head to scotland again.
another home - home of my ancestors. and i feel that pull in a very different way. the ancient calling that truly gives me pause.
history - my own and the bigger picture - has always fascinated me. like a fairytale it doesn't always feel real. but when you are there and allowing yourself to sink into the silence and imagine, then it has a profound truth. i will miss home - my family, our quirky blind cat, the garden and the mountains, the rhythms of the day. but i will allow myself to feel the home of my ancestors. and that feeling is a trip unto itself. especially to share it with a good tribe of people, with albannach's jamesie leading the way with his cheeky, impassioned commentary. his love and knowledge of his homeland is riveting. and makes me all the more determined to get back to australia ...
(elements come together - meeting my parents, dawnie and big dave, in scotland last year)
yes, it is time to close the circle and discover again how australia feels and what it means to me.
as an artist. and as a father. too long since i've been there. too long since i've played there. too long since i've surfed there. i look forward to maybe taking some of you with me on the journey.
after what seems like an age of pondering how to do a scotland-like trip to oz (logistics are somewhat daunting), talks have begun in earnest with my brother hamish, who lives back there now full time. although he toured with the band for many years here, he always maintained a home down under.
so his relationship to where we grew up is now profoundly different to mine.
our BROTHER Australia Experience, tentatively planned for late february/early march next year, will be a reunion with hamish - 7 years in the making. and it will be a historical and cultural exploration, with concerts and musical workshops. and plenty of barbies. suffice to say i am excited to get back.
it seems my heart is in more than one place. and that is okay. i just have to follow it home, wherever that may be ...
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