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Well it happened, sort of. I woke at 3AM to lights going past, down they went and jammed themselves into no space and surely pissed off everyone they woke around them.

Their reverse gear had a beep to ensure it.

Then up to the water tank they come, with torches, twelve feet away. And talk loudly and – why are girls the loudest – giggle. Fifteen minutes, as though it’s midday and you can laugh and yell.

Foreign language.

Sure enough, come daylight, two rooftoppers they disturbed got out if there. I felt disgusted for them. What had so wrongly hit them and they’re doing the right thing. And now, 9AM, the culprit arseholes are not making a peep – enjoying the quietude they disturbed.

…Chilly this morning. Like autumn or early winter. Loving that.

9.55 AM

Moved to the spot I should have taken yesterday. Bucket of water acclimatising, but it’ll need hot water. Sun’s out and warming up but it was cold. Car had a tiny bit of trouble starting. Cool wind now.

I think I’ll probably paint today. Just getting used to not having to “move on”.

A lot of psychological pitfalls in homeless living

Anyway, a day where I’m entitled to be here.

1.30 PM

Two Forestry utes serviced and left, then the last remaining vehicle. Only me left.

Painting, after a shower earlier which I got away with re gas burner.

And affixed a new sensor before a late lunch.

4.30 PM

Dinner cooking. A trailer camper arrived nearby, so far so good. Bega River paintings had a big session but a long way to go. Only just started, so no problems. Topped up the Bluetti that needed it. Sun still clear.

Arrived 3.45 PM.

Had a walk around. 3 or 4 other vehicles here, which means it’s empty. Staying near the entrance.

Changed a lot. Neater. Still pretty rough but that’s good. Longer in than I remembered, until I remembered.

Food for two days. Might just chill. Places to paint.

That’s actually the highway. A touch farther away from it where I am, but I get the passersby lingering, probably. It’ll be interesting to see how busy it gets.

7.30 PM

It’s filled up, the bottom road is spaceless. I think I’ve made a mistake.,There was a flat space that couldn’t get crowded out, but I was worried a shabby van nearby would be too noisy. I chose instead to go on a corner. At first I parked to the bush edge, but fearing some idiot coming in adjacent I moved to the middle. But an idiot can park right in thecway of everyone and right up next to me. So my mistake I threw the dice and it could come up a horror. It could also be good, but I think it’s going to fill more and I’m fucked.

Birdsong as the very late sun burns through the trees is magical. It’s cool, and even looks wintry.

Woke to extreme winds. Safe here under the bridge. Incredibly lucky.

That’s a shot taken in the dead of night. The wind battered yhe van even though it was sheltered.

7 AM

Cold, actually. Woke about 5.15 AM and had a coffee before moving on. Have to work out what I’m doing today.

Bega – Tathra – Eden

Happened just before lunch. Took a bit to get organised to leave. Couldn’t shower, council around. Groceries. Tank water 5 buckets. Petrol. Lunch just before the Merimbula turnoff, some park. Toilets there. Through Merimbula and shower at Pambula Aquatic.

Onto Eden and smacked in the head by this fucker:

That’s it through the windscreen. No passengers, in for repair.

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.