Orbost or Bust

Fortunately I'm pretty mossie proof at night. There's storms from the southeast all around to the north, so it's hard to see how I could stay dry tonight. The stars out here always make me go wow! I have a creature snooping around:) Another damp night in the swag.

I'm on the move and it's Orbost or bust to the last of the rail trail. It's nice to be back on the road, met some cyclists riding to schools talking about sustainability on the trail.

I'm full and well and walking on.

Letter 8th March

Just finished following the Gippsland Rail trail and would highly recommend it. You can ride if you prefer. I think I've left the land of Gipps now, without seeing one single Gipp. Maybe they're becoming as scarce as the swaggies who chase them.

There were a few really wet nights; the mossies were unrelenting and the skies opened up. This dis-shevelled swaggie took a moment to hang out his swag in the sunshine and breeze today, vowing only ever to choose a campsite after consulting a hydro-geologist. Pesky ground water! I'm in a better mood sitting here in the sunshine away from hoards of suicidal mosquitoes, I can tell you.

So having lived through this little trial, now I feel a new definition of 'hardship' is needed for me. I've also been considering 'privilege' and how it may have held me from taking this experience earlier in my life. Maybe that doesn't make sense, I don't know with such poor sleep, but maybe I'll consider it more of a burden in future, or perhaps a barrier to doing what makes me feel free?

I have been chatting with cyclists and locals all the way now. One group of cyclists are riding from school to school doing workshops on sustainability, they are very cool and friendly people.

Swaggie