I guess you could say it started with the attempt at hiking Flagstaff Mountain in Tamworth, a 5km round trip from the top of Oxley Lookout. Except it did start awhile before that. 

The end of last year (and most of this one!) was hectic for me.

Tamworth had been working its way into my heart since Country Music 2020, and perhaps even before then. It wormed its way down and out, resulting in a job offer to work for Scripture Union in the North West of all places. 

October saw me serving at a leadership conference with my future boss, the purchase of my first car, resigning from my much loved church office job. 

November saw my start with SU, taking on afternoon oosh shifts at home when I could get them (afternoon so I'd have enough space for driving time), covering two days of chaplaincy in the north west region, travelling back and forth from Tamworth to home several times a week, finalising work with my parents and the office, handing over leading a bible study. 

December saw preparation for Christmas carols at my home church, the start of packing up my belongings, resigning from oosh, spending as much time as I could with my Maitland crew.