Busy at the rest area last night, and all well behaved. Photo below.
I had it to myself since the creep wasn’t here – and the change in vibe was remarkable.
Woke at 2AM and that was it, too awake to sleep.
To Batemans Bay for a shower and some bits and pieces: cable to finish the rear light, new mats and swimmers.
It was there I learned it’s a long weekend.
At the airport boat ramp forbreakfast and water fill.
This magpie was fearless. Came into the van. Then jumped all over it looking in when I closed the door.
No fucking way.
Well it was a good sleep in the end, warmer, so I took off the sloppy joe. Down to two T-shirts. Woke at 4AM and sure enough the creep left at 5.20AM.
Discovered a couple of o’nite arrivals, ground tent and rooftop.
Then to the quarry for breakfast cooked at the rest area, but that fucking machine I knew wouldn’t stop and would stress me thru and thru.
Back up to the shower spot to eat and wash, tho the latter delayed due to horse feeders over the road. Meanwhile a very strong westerly hit. But that’s another shower in the achievement bag.
Afterwards Queanbeyan Toyota rang, fabulous bloke, with prices for bushings and a rod. Great to know I’m inclined to double up.
UPDATE 3 10PM
Finished wiring the outdoor lights. Mad job in the mad wind. I used a plastic container as the switches housing because I don’t have a drill or power saw. Should work well and is rain protected.
Lots of cutting and joining to get the right sizes in the right places, and changed the original rear switch to a mains for all three.
Will come in handy, and good for security because anyone can see in and until today I couldn’t see out.
Fancy set up. A porch light and side and back lights of a neat triple switch.
Still have to run a single heavy cable for the rear light but all the hard yards run, and two lights good to go from now.
Misty. Bungendore rest area, leaving today, probably.
UPDATE 6.43AM
Car’s going through the warm up ritual. Coffee, NYT, and leaving soon. Might aim for breakfast in Bungendore, perhaps mongrel but quick baked beans instead of all the time oats.
UPDATE 8.08AM
Cockatoo screeching loudly at Shoalhaven rest area for baked beans. Disconcerting trip in. Fog and urgent traffic and the bad roads and ever worse roadworks. I don’t really want to go to the coast, but 16 days at the Bungendore rest area is a limit, considering the constant traffic in and out of the “private” area. Very strange vibe about it.
Feeling unsettled all round.
UPDATE 4.35PM
Breakfast at Shoalhaven, good trip but for long delays and back in Batemans Bay.
Jaycar, Bunnings for additions and repairs, then to Moruya rest area but couldn’t abide the creep – exactly the same spot, done absolutely nothing. So I drove past and went to Moruya township instead.
Unfortunately, back to the one rest area one individual has ruined.
UPDATE 6.25PM
Seconds ago
Yesterday was wonderful. Although thoroughly characterised by extended lasting horror of my life in Canberra, unique to it as with all other places, to raid memories at Regatta Point was deeply affecting. An existence I had known, revisited.
16 days of an eye bleed slowly getting better, I went inward specifically.
And it was so good to be away from the hillbilly ignorance of some people around here on the coast. Full of beautiful buildings, a visit to the exhibition of the Italian architect of my years in Canberra, such relief and pleasure. Quality, professional, sophisticated thought.
I missed it the minute I left.
