30 January, 2026 05:04

Half a burner. Anaconda $40 rubbish. I paid 20 a couple of months ago. Still a waste.

6.45 AM

Very tired. Sleep is peaceful here, being away from highway noise, but I wake tired. Country air, too. Must be me.

Awake at 11.50PM for a while, then again at around 4 AM. Found a toilet. Took a while to find somewhere (photo of an attempt, no good)then where I could stay on the bed, have coffee with NYT, and not attract attention – the primary goal since 4, when I quickly left the overnight spot.

Fully overcast. Quite dim.

8.55 AM

I’m parked doing NYT beside vast fields of grass, parallel to the long bridge. No homes anywhere. Just long avenues of trees that go towards Bega River, alongside it, then away from it.

Must be 20 nuses have gone past. Sometimes in pairs. One after the other almost non stop.

Who could they possibly be picking up? How very strange.

They turn left and go beside me to the river.

10.40 AM

Shower Spot Surprise

Found this location and thought I might get away mostly unnoticed. But no. A landcruiser swings left and can only be coming for me. Not a ranger. A local, and to show it he drives right in close. I think of the Quaama Creep Stalker and don’t want a hassle here.

“G’day mate” says the bloke, frosty eyes from a life in the sun, knows his way around a beer obviously, and a little white dog on his arm head out the window. “That toilet block just up the hill there,” I know it and favour it, “there are showers in that. So you don’t have to…” points to my set up.

“Hot showers? Seriously?”

“Yeah mate, round the back.”

“Champion,” I tell him and mean it. We chat quickly.

A helpful and considerate person. Can hardly believe it. Uplifting.

Swim Spot

12.40 PM

Has to be here. Downstream from the juncture, and lovely place to park and have a coffee or, just now, lunch as well.

This really is good. Especially considering I couldn’t get to the river at Brogo.

Must come here in Winter, with the fog and mist.

Bought a new burner stove from BigW. Exactly the same as the Anaconda one which melted the metal. See above. Might not last, either.

3.30 PM

Long day. Heatwave. Tired to the bone. Wanted to paint but no energy. Hard to find spots that are fresh, because another night in the same place could have prompted a concern with the natives.

Now at the oval in the shade, but close to the long bridge which is very loud re traffic. I saw also Council was spraying where I was. Not good.

So will chill out here and wait it out. My skull is better.

From earlier:

8 40 PM

FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE BEGA BRIDGE

Could be disastrous. Perfect hangout for kids in loud cars. But there are plenty of other places. I don’t expect a good sleep however.

Had a towel shower and was immediately hot again afterwards. Since the wind stopped late afternoon it’s been a stinker.

Oh well. One for the memories whenever I drive over the bridge.