A quiet evening and a change of heart

After a long and tiring day we are both sitting quietly; one reading, one writing. We've scrubbed, mopped, moved and shone everything we can in the Kenworth shed. It looks so different from when we arrived. The shed is not the only thing that has changed since our arrival.  I've had a change of heart.  I thought a truck was a truck was a truck. But once I climbed into the T909 and the Directors Special, smelt the new leather, gazed at the fine craftsmanship of the dials, knobs and details on even the floor mats I became a Kenworth Girl!!  (Lucky I now own a Kenworth jacket and hat, thanks Graham!!)

My appreciation for the big rigs has grown enormously. I've searched for the right word to describe them - majestic? pieces of art? simply bloody amazing? (okay, the last three were Will's word.)  I'm still not sure I've got the words to describe them or maybe it's that I simply know somethings you can't understand or appreciate until you've experienced it.  For 11 years I've listened to just how wonderful a truck is, but now I get it for myself.

Some rigs truly are immaculate pieces of art, some have a commanding presence and others are really quite majestic.  When you sit in them and are engulfed by their size, you slink into the new leather of the seats and you stand up straight and walk into the bunk, then, and only then do you begin to appreciate their size, their power and their beauty.

The art work on some of the rigs reminds me of the work of a tattooist- so detailed and exquisite, telling their own important story, sometimes obvious to the observer, other times not so. There is the Anzac truck with beautiful graphics of traditional Anzac scenes and Craig Membreys truck in memory of his 17 year old son lost to Ice then suicide.  Not to mention ones in the paddock; there's Lady Di, one with characters from the Lord of the Rings and who knows what else!!

I found Graham, Mr Kenworth, taking a quiet moment to wander through appreciating the exhibition he has crafted. He said how important it is to stop and reflect and appreciate our achievements.  I felt a little guilty breaking into his peace and quiet but I think he was also happy to share his pride and satisfaction.

In just a few hours we open the doors to the public, they have been sneaking in and sometimes just blatantly waltzing into the closed off work zone.  We are looking forward to seeing their appreciation of the Old Grey Ghost, the new tri-axle (Yes, Will got to drive it too!), the mural and all our hard work.  But you know what, none of them well get to smell the new leather, feel the dials or press the start button like this lucky lady has

Mural in the new shed

Remember that empty shed - not anymore

T909 - what a beauty!

!