Swaggies on show

It seems I'm a sort of spectacle in a few towns; Nar Nar Goon, Garfield, Bunyip and now Longwarry. I plan to make Drouin by dusk. Walking, walking, walking.

Reached Drouin in time to sneak a quick shower at the caravan park. Squeaky clean I jumped straight back into my grubby gear.

Letter : Just off the Princess Highway there's a string of 'one pub' country towns, each with something to be proud of, each both similar and unique. Right at this moment I'm sitting at a park bench in one such country town. It's main street of the post office, milk bar, newsagency and butcher is completely reminiscent while the Garfieldians have their own way of arranging it all.

I spent last night on the outskirts of Pakenem before taking a chilly dawn walk eastwards. Nar Nar Goon is the self-proclaimed 'town of murals' , where it's every day activities and it's most proud memories can be seen on it's walls. This town wants it's story told.

Just outside of Nar Nar Goon I stopped under the shade of a railway reserve tree. As I fixed a fly net over my hat I was thinking how this would have been a fashion statement in the city. A railway patrol pulled up, they proceeded to ask me questions. Apparently the whole rail system gets halted and police alerted if anyone is seen near the tracks. He was satisfied that I'd chosen 'life' and left me happy; happy that he didn't need me to convince him I was completely sane. I continued to walk along the much more treacherous highway.

A swaggie can only do his best to walk in the shade on days that european tourists would describe as 'perfect'. There's a lot of daydreaming between these towns, and singing of songs which start off with lyrics like, "I'm out here a thousand miles from my home"....
Out here it's a tough looking landscape that's taken thousands of years to adapt and survive. It's some sort of miracle that I can guide my fragile frame from place to place here without perishing. It's testimony to our society that I can manage my survival at all. But the similarities and uniquenesses of everywhere and everyone is meant to bring us all together to grow. Perhaps it's those who want us to grow too quickly who make the statement that suicide makes.
lots of love
Swaggie