Uladalla

Uladalla is from the NSW governor's one year old's first words. I think he made rum the currency soon after. Walking through the lovely Milton; historic, scenic, you name it, very beautiful!

Letter : After another swim on another deserted beach I'm feeling pretty relaxed about it all. I just polished off the better part of an Uladulla loaf of bread thinking about the bitter and sweet of the last couple of days.

The day was warm as I left Batemans Bay but I was taking it easy when a car pulls up. The car was full and a woman with an Irish accent jumped out. She was so apologetic about not being able to offer a lift and only being able to offer money. About one km down the road it was dusk and I'd begun to scope out a place to camp, when a fella pulls up in his van eager to know my story. He offered for me to stay at his place, a short walk away. They fed me well and offered me a shower and breakfast before I left. I was grateful to have such friendly welcoming company that wasn't my own.

Yesterday I walked the swaggie lane of the highway through the odd tiny township. I've walked far enough north to escape the cold nights and mornings as I race the sun north.

There's no escaping the mozzies though. Last night I lay my swag on rough, rough ground but it was the extra insidious mozzies that unsettled me, the little blighters penetrated every gap in my canvas and netting just for a taste of me. I suppose it should feel nice to be wanted.

Perhaps, I've been considering, that people like to see a swaggie because it reminds them that if times get really difficult we'll still be able to manage, like we have before, and it might even be something positive for our culture,

Swaggie