25 December, 2025 12:42

Shower by the river to myself thence top up tank water and out of Moruya. Stopped by Bodalla SF rest area with a great spot vacant. I park and get out and the drunk hardcore bloke’s dog attacks me with kindness. I hear his radio going. No fucking way. No no no. Nightmare neighbour.

I stop at R’s spot on the way out, to say hello because he’d appreciate it. He has land up in the forest and invited me there. Sounds great as a Bodalla SF alternative.

Narooma lunch. Been quiet so far but getting boisterous now. Windy, too.

Have to get away from crowds and actually anyone.

UPDATE 1.55PM

Arrived Quaama. Hot very windy, plague of flies.

But (so far) alone!

UPDATE 2.25PM

I’ve lost my fly headnet. Disaster. Doubt I’ll be able to paint here tomorrow, or even stay. Fly nightmare.

UPDATE 3.20PM

Found it. Heaven on a stick. Still get flies everywhere else but the break from the face is priceless.

UPDATE 4.10PM

This is what I don’t understand. There’s 15-20m between me and the next vehicle. We’re at either ends of the carpark. This bloke screams in and reverses right next to me, doof doof music blaring.

What world are they living in? What world am I – not this one, I seemingly don’t exist.

I don’t understand.

UPDATE 5.30PM

Dinner today. Same as every other day.

But at Quaama in the battering wind and relentless flies.