5 October, 2025 09:25

Coffee sitting on a cut stump. Good sleep, two overnighters plus the creep who no doubt woke them up at 5AM as he does with every single person in the place. All day in his car gets to me, when I’m trying to discover positives and value each day. Just such a horrible energy.

Showered in the rest area confident a ranger wouldn’t come on a Sunday morning early, of a long weekend, and no overnighters to upset.

Left eye is irritated and weeping wet.

Thinking about painting today. Certainly have to do something constructive, even if it’s a long hike.

UPDATE 3.07PM

Shit day. Stopped at Riverside Park to sleep again, that tired, but the angry attitude homeless there were banging loud drums – again. They should be stopped. I had to leave straight away.

Went upstream to the spot, alone there. It was already too hot but I got a little bit of shade. Slept lightly. But quickly got packed out.

I really needed the rest area byt couldn’t with the creep there. Such a good place to paint, too, but for him I can’t.

I am considerate of others and civic minded, so the degree of selfishness from other homeless people really rankles. It seems they need the public in some way: getting attention, upsetting people, causing a stir as proof of existence, or something.

Back in town, still on Araluen side, I could hear the drums loudly. The whole township could hear. What were the police doing? They would have been able to hear it outside the station if not inside.

Then I remembered I needed gas; none in Woolies. Excuse to get out, get moving, get wind by my head, cooler, and go to Batemans Bay

At the Bay I discovered I’d lost my glasses. That’s two in two weeks. $45 lost.

Mongrel day. I don’t know how I’m going to go in summer heat and summer crowds. My double nightmare (noise and heat).

Very scared about my inability to handle it.

DAYLIGHT SAVING STARTED

And it’s oppressively hot.