Category: Posted on the fly

Calm, overcast morning through which I slept, unusually. Woke at 3AM then too tired to read a NYT article and woke again at 6. Usual unsettling or horrible dreams.

Bloke next door is pretty good. Didn’t play the guitar and sing. Also noted earlier that the tent had gone, early. I might’ve been so very wrong about that guy. He might’ve eked out a holiday, three days.

I have not been applying an abundance of understanding in favour of fear, and I know it even as I do it.

7.50AM

Incidentally, what is this nonsense? These have occurred since a phone update maybe last week sometime and I’m not given the option of dismissing them.

They’ll never be used. I’ve disabled, so it says, every instance of fuckwit AI on the phone and rhese appear to be part of the inexorable intrusion. I get infuriated for what tech heads think of people – diametrically opposite to what I’ve done my whole life.

Turning us into brainless sheep unable to think for ourselves.

We didn’t get a say in this. We weren’t given the choice. So I’m not updating them out of obstinate uselessness.

Had a chat with next door dope smoker, since I could have gassed him out by warming the engine and went to warn him. Definitely a spun out guy, but after his divorce and losing the house he hit the road – in 1990. Been living tough ever since. Stayed under homes under construction, toilets, cars, all sorts. The van he’s got is great he says because his legs don’t swell up when stuck in the car from rain.

1.53PM

Waldron’s Swamp. After a shower and petrol in Narooma, arrived in Moruya near 10AM and saw the creep getting water and cleaning a bowl. He’s still there.

Extreme sun, then quick cloud cover. Unscrewed the driving lights and couldn’t see a problem with the connection although that’s where it turns itself on and off. Might’ve gotten an interim fix, will check when visitors head off.

Could be a storm this afternoon. Good to have a spot early.

2.05PM

Just spotted ANOTHER CRACK IN THE WINDSCREEN.

Big problem.

I’m sure it wasn’t there in Moruya. It happened in the direct hot sun here in the rest area. Getting bigger by the hour.

6PM

Obnoxious tent bloke arrived. Per usual, drives in like a rocket, gets out and plays with the dog noisily. He got on the phone loudly, chair pointed at me again, or him leaning on post, all purposely to get attention. Very performative. He’s yelljng now. It’s all about proving he’s somebody and not a tent person.

He could do it all respectfully and quietly. But no.

He’s an arsehole.

I drove away, up the road, to sendca message I don’t want to be around him and hopefully that it’s not cp netiquette to be noisy on purpose. “Look at me!”

I can hear him yelling on the phone this minute. It’s this sort of shit that ruins a lovely stop.

Tickets all over himself.

10.30PM

Been howling wind since 9PM. Very troubling. Can’t sleep.

Morning update. The stop at Waldron started wonderfully although screaming hot. The windscreen definitely cracked there: driving it’s inescapable. Then the bloke’s attitude ruined it, the feeling exacerbated and exemplified, in the vicious frantic nasty nature spirits of the threatening wind. Covered in dried sweat it was a horrible night. Waldrons is no longer the pleasant escape from 476. It’s very changed and negatively affected.

Morning cemented the reasoning that I need a new windscreen. Big hit, but I can’t avoid it any longer.

8.50AM

There’s been a tent set up pretty close to the rear of the van since arriving this time, and last evening I discovered who owns it. Looks like he might be trying for permanency.

Disconcerting. He drank beers and walked beside the van at least a dozen times, to go to the bin. Seemed to need the excuse.

Upon reflection too the bloke I chatted with yesterday is also likely aiming to be here a long time. Gave me the excuse of gearbox trouble.

The latter bottom guy I can handle, but a guy obviously seriously bored in a tent ruins my clear ability to paint, if he’s hanging around. (Remembering I used to put my foot down to get hangers-around out of my studios. Can’t do that here.)

And I don’t really want another evening afterwards like yesterday’s.

Not sure what to do. Might have yet another coffee and consider.

9.20AM

The noisy nonstop (7 hours!) blokes have started again, in their loud droning language. Definitely don’t want another headache.

Decided to shower in Narooma, away from here sadly, and take it from there.

1.20PM

CREATIVITY ONCE MORE

Showered but couldn’t work out if the Boats Afloat show was on. Might’ve been. No signs or anything, and no river access that wasn’t a traffic hazard.

Thought I’d drive into Bodalla SF on the way to Moruya and found a van in the spot where I was, poor bastards later this evening with the tent bloke, and the noisy group had gone.

The spot I like last on the bottom was vacant, and a campervan next door, old bloke quiet looking.

I pulled in, and have worked already on all five newies.

Place is lovely and all bird song.

2.45PM

So the old bloke turns out to be younger than me said he’s a dope smoker, through slurred diction and a drink, and, fuck me, plays the guitar and sings.

I didn’t have the heart to ask him not to, and note he didn’t ask if I mind.

Geez. Do I go?

I don’t want to hurt his feelings but really the birdsong and peace is what I’m here for. Plus, since he’s close because of the layout, it’s all a bit too chummy for me, which he was.

Big day so far. Updated the 99.9 percenters to probably 100% finished. Can go on forever but who’d know the difference?

Then finished Day One of the newbies. Actually, might have done that first. Dry enough, then, I whipped through with a second stage. Too wet and even if dry they’re too soft to do any more. Need that hard acrylic base.

Park has been lovely but for very loud talkers at a table over yonder, now gone.

Shower earlier was fabulous.

And as I write this my neighbours have arrived. Yet another motorhome. Is it generator time? Will they be noisy otherwise? The perpetual risk.

Might finish the coffee and lock up soon for a walk. A great day, so far, really. Cool, and ever charming birdsong.

2 PM

Chatting with a bloke with car troubles. He’s also living in his. Been in this park a little while this time around and stayed here a while ago for about a year. The place was a dirty shanty town then about which many have commented with disgust. Before the big clean up.

Quick adjustments on the new works. These are technically Stage 2, but really are the starting bases. Packed up and drying flat now. Hopefully the weather is as good tomorrow for developing them.

Long day going from one to the other.

4.30PM

Park is quiet regarding overnighters, but noisy in the same damn spot with talking. My tolerance is so low. But it does affect the lovely nature sounds.

Near to me at the top hasn’t been taken up yet. A few spots up for grabs still all around.

Dinner is cooked. I don’t want to, but I’m going into it now, doors closed, to block out incessant talking. After two groups of it today, hours on end, I’ve got a headache. Good day otherwise.

12.20PM

Kicked them off. They curl everywhere of course, for a few sessions, bad at the start.

I like these because they’re inspired by: ○ the Tilba grand rural scenery ○ Cobargo bridge and river towards town ○ Quaama mist, bridge and river, same again with mist ○ seascape Narooma or Mystery Bay area. Rough at the moment, which is how I start.

Long way to go, but I won’t run out of something to move forward.