Author: Rob

Sunday Rain and Drizzle Morning in Bega

10.35 AM

It’s very pleasant. I think I got enough sleep due to the extra hours this morning, cool and dim overcast, waking very late at around 7.

Hanging on the bed by the pond, doing NYT, and enjoying the peace.

I soak peace in through the skin. It’s painful absorbing noise.

Probably should shower. The best place is under the bridge where I have twice before, but I don’t want to draw too much attention firstly of me and secondly to the spot itself. I want it quietly to myself tonight.

12.25 PM

Back beside the river in a spot where the solar can see the sky. But overcast and drizzling. Sparse cars. Spectacular at the river itself.

Had a hot shower under the bridge and, on soft fresh grass, loved it. Feel fabulous.

Been an achievement. Got through Christmas and New Year. Now through the last hectic week of the holidays, final fling weekend, and an 8-day heatwave.

That’s actually the worst part of a given year gone. One more sleep!

I managed to find some wonderful experiences in a bad time, and achieved very well in my need for quiet and solitude, swarming time of year considering.

Interesting tree on a street walk around town.

8 PM

Dinner earlier under the trees by the green fields, then here under the bridge. Chilly. Southerly colder than I expected. Fabulous. Shakes the van occasionally.

Fingers crossed for a good sleep. Although had too much chocolate and feel unwell.

Meanwhile, Djokovic v Alcaraz. Mens AO final.

And its only 9.40 AM.

Hot night, had a sheet only and it didn’t cool off in need of more. Slept straight through, waking around 6. Rare thing. Woke to hint of morning fog.

Went looking for the shower as told but they’re locked. Getting warm quickly so I headed for the swom spot I discovered yesterday fearing it’d be full. No cars and no one.

So I swam (14″ deep) in Bega River. Exquisite.

Coffee now amongst big trees and cicadas, looking at and living in a majestic painting.

2.10 PM

Everywhere I’ve gone today the carparks have been almost empty. Nothing along tbe way here where I painted, or under the bridge, no cars. I get some canvas boards and two T-shirts and have a quick look around the river area, and decide since it’s hot and I’m lethargic to stop under the bridge.

I’m here about 30 seconds and a ute storms in and has been idling loudly for over 15 minutes now.

Tucking unreal. There’s empty shade everywhere the eye can see. Bang. In beside me, car running, obviously noisy.

I’m cranky because I discovered public toilets at Woolies carpark, but they’re newfangled electrical AND THE STUPIDEST FUCKING THING I’VE EVER FUCKING SEEN.

It has a sign saying press to open the door. You go in, totally visible to patrons, and there’s no sign to say close the door. So you press lock the door. Nothing happens. Press anything in any order and the doors don’t close. You can see the toilet ,you are in the toilet, which makes you want to go even more.

Five times I’ve tried. I got it to work once and dont know what I did. I didn’t go because I was scared the door would open and Id be arrested being in full biew.

Whomever approved this stupidity in Bega Council is A COMPLETE FUCKING IDIOT.

Basic toilet function. Door opens Door closes. This COMPLETE FUCKING IDIOT couldn’t achieve that.

Bega Series Stages 1 & 2

Stage 1 and some 2 in two works above; Stage 2 in all below.

Lots of Sienna to come.

Leaving When?

Besides, I’m just starting to work out Bega on terms of homeless living.

7.05 PM

Had a shower about 5. Straight cold water from the tank but ut wasn’t so cold, a but alarming, and turned out fabulous. Got hot again quickly.

Been spots of rain, wind, then calm, sunshine swapping with thick muggy overcast. Quite troubled, uncertain and obnoxious weather. Clueless, yet still too hot.

Saturday night. Hopefully as uneventful as last night.

I feel terrific because I’m not affected by the Quaama creep stalker, nor the jostling impositions of Moruya and Bodalla SF. Got to know Bega, too.

By the way, one for history, a big day at NYT today.

7.40 PM

This minute:

Thunderstorm grumbling. Under the bridge zi should be able to keep some windows open if it rains. Pillow view:

To Worst Night Since The Start

Humming vibrating music, intermittently. Unmufflered big engines. Asleep around 11.30 jolted awake at 12.40. Young kids under the bridge. Too many, not good. I left. Rain and nasty thunderstorm. Fog, couldn’t see. My eyes not woken, couldn’t see. No place to go. Not good by the river To the hospital. Blocked windows. Woke at 2.50. Checked BOM map. More thunderstorms at 4.30. So at 3.12 AM I’m back in bed under the bridge, set up again re fly screen etc, in rain so I feel safe.

What a troubled night.

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.

In respect of early citizens (soon) and the gratitude of a pleasant place to sleep for the night, warmed the engine and left.

With nightshot setting and shaky hand:

Skull has stopped permanently hurting. And wow am I careful not to hit it again.

4 PM 100m away

Just along a bit, risking another night on this stretch. Too buggered to go looking. Been a day of obstacles.

Took until midday to have a shower. Folding bucket collapsed, people came. Went looking for another spot, the tank was empty. Went and filled up, the tank had water in it. Back to the river park, hot water grom the jet rather than two butane kettles, and got it done.

More attempts at Windows update, possibly 6 hours on it all up by now. No good. Groceries. 3 cushions $3 each. Got the update but then it tried to do it again and failed. Four more hours. Did banking: been expensive. Bit depressing.

Bit of a walk around the hilly streets.

But lovely green, right here.