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Leaving Eden this minute. Woke at 4AM in Scrubby’s, shower an hour aho at Eden Olympic Pool, quick brief drive and sadly leaving. I’m often sad leaving somewhere.

Not just the strong feeling of loneliness. The place kept me alive, food, interest. I never know a place well enough.

I don’t even know why I feel the need to leave.

But I am.

12.35 PM

After Pambula, drive and look and too busy to stop, Merimbula here now for lunch. Hot sun.

No idea where to stay tonight.

Still tourists everywhere.

Pambula –

Merimbula –

Carpark full of boat trailers. Poor fish. What an onslaught.

Highway Pullover

2.45 PM

This is the clearing I spotted looking for places to sleep on one of the Bega escapades. If I get away with it, it’s very good. The highway runs right by but I’ve got about 8m I guess. It’s on a crest both ways and not an exceptionally fast section. Right next to a bushscape acreage with peekaboo hills to its western aspect. Bellbirds everywhere.

For memories: the Bega etc highway sign shows 19k to Bega going north.

Only problem is, if all goes well, having a shit in the morning. Have to hit it to Bega.

7.40 PM

Highway has been relentless noise, but quieting a bit now. Saturday night on the road! A couple of vehicles, truck and 4WD, have tooted me. Happy beeps. Not prolonged creepy.

Chilling out with the door open and fly screen doing its thing. Bellbirds popping nonstop.

It’s a bery lovely view. Not obvious invthe pucs.

Got overcast and stayed so. Getting dark imperceptibly but definitely.

Gunshots – Very Loud

About 11.45 PM. On eastern side of the highway very close. About eight.

Woke me up. Quickly put shorts on and put things away, sat there warning yhe engine lights going.

Couldn’t see properly because of sleep, everything light and dark and possibly fog.

Drove in the dead of night here to Bega hospital. Noisy but safe, uf Security lets ne be.

It’s now 12 45 AM. Have to sleep again.

3.20 PM

Big day painting. Worked on these four all day and did nothing else, although a latish start after showering and a few I thought important comments at NYT.

Not sure how this evening is going to go once everyone starts pouring in. Main thing is that I was productive in place. Have to be pleased with that. I pack the van each evening for bolting, which I can do if this place is ruined. But it’s really been fabulous so far – the best in terms of people.

Shame about the Quaama creep stalker. That would be where without him I would go next.

4 PM

Cooking a bit early, I realise. Normally start at 4.

Painting day to myself in the sun. Four new ones begun. Cleaned up now and not wondering what to do next. No idea, and I’m pretty used to it. Or so it feels, today.

Stage 1 of Bega valley area and Bega itself.

Stage 1 of a creek to sea inlet, I think.

Stage 1 of highway bridge at Scrubby Creek rest area.

Stage 2

7.55 PM

Vehicles pouring in. Young people and per usual the girl(s) is the loudest and most thoughtless about disturbing us here. Laugh giggle yell as though only they exist, they’re the centre of attention, and arrogant about making their presence known.

A Jucy van seemed problematic but went yonder. Seem fine.

Arriving as it’s getting dark.

Evening

Some people have bigger rigs than brains.

But I got a good sleep and the mayhem around wasn’t disruptive.

Scrubby’s it is, unless something goes wrong, for three more nights. Could be four.

Ended up being empty pretty much, last night. Had weird dreams. Good shower. Then into Eden for supplies. Just so happened the one street with drinking water was blocked off for council roadworks. Hard to find, anyway. But because council workers were there a young woman worker very helpfully showed me rap water, to fill up the tank. Wouldn’t have known otherwise. Was a blessing. That’s Eden now essentials sorted.

Back about lunchtime then painted.

If all goes well, the plan is to stay until Sunday then spend that night in Bega since it’s likely raining. I can stay put for three nights.

The beauty here is that I don’t have to drive the car. So good to have a break from it, and to rest the car:two days longer use.

• A bloke on a bike just pulled in.
• 5.03 Massive motorhome just arrived. Massive for the area that is. And pulling into the space next one up. Hope it’s not noisy. They always have little yappy dogs, like this older bloke. Cap on backwards. And a fat wife. Out comes the ground tarp and awning. Sit there facing me and talk loudly into the night? Already I’m thinking of leaving. We’ll see if I’m pushed out by arseholes.

Makes me sick living like this, vulnerable to selfish inconsiderates. No idea if these are, yet.

I’ve discovered that people hear about a place, such as this, and when they get here just do what they like because they’re finally here and it’s so good. (For them.)

Just remembered. There are north and south bound rest areas not far away, if I’ve got arseholes.

9 PM

The place is full but for really bad spots and jamming. The motorhome isn’t a problem. A young couple are having an extended dinner close by at a table, so I can’t enjoy watching videos. They’ve been there a couple of hours.

Met a fantastic bloke, slightly younger, riding a bicycle from Sydney to Melbourne. Wonderful spirit. Intrepid. He’s unsure about water supply for the next leg. Been a go getter. Also a driver for safaris in Ethiopia and thereabouts. Loner but friendly. On personal missions. Makes it all seem easy. We connected instantly. Pom originally Daughter in Melbourne. Stopping over in a tent.