Updated:

Heavily overcast, very chilly wind, cold overall and slept all the way through and late. Woke at about 5AM.

Very peaceful, just the odd passing car. Two other van overnighters, up a fair way, in front of the table, and quiet.

Lovely, really.

UPDATE 8 45 AM

The sun has poked through for two seconds about twice otherwise it’s like this.

That’s the view across the Princes Hwy to the east, from inside the van. Cuttagee, just south of Bermagui, is beyond the range (which is more pronounced on the right; the shot probably points more northward than directly east. )

Quite amazing how chilly it is. Cold southerly wind. It’ll be a challenging shower. But I love the cold. Feels terrific.

UPDATE 11 AM

Fucking flies nightmare. Leaving the hilltop rest area after showering and rearranging the storage under the chair, securing with cord hopefully. A major stressful job since flies swarmed over me and the flynet.

Think I’ll go to Cobargo and have a look around. Back here later.

Trying to destress to drive.

UPDATE 1..10 PM

Unbelievable Now in Bermagui. Had a walk around Cobargo, didn’t really want to drive, but thought I’d go a bit of the way along Cobargo Bermagui Rd because I was bored. Before I knew it, I’m here.

Colours incredible. No flies.

UPDATE 3 20 PM

Back at hilltop Quaama. I forgot to get water in the disposable bottles.

Bermagui

UPDATE 7..10PM

The flies went about half an hour ago, leaving a cold sunny windy afternoon of low sun and long shadows and aloneness. I like it here.

This escape from arseholes is a tough run, though. I don’t want to spend heaps on pwtrol and I forever worry about the car wearing down then breaking down. Hard for me to get in the spirit and enjoy it.

It still feels like I don’t know what I’m doing. If it’s about dying it’s a slow process to do it. It does feel that way.

My mind just isn’t entertaining any ideas of big paintings or a home to live in. The latter gets tossed immediately because it wouldn’t be mine and who wants an old man?

Stunning.

UPDATE 6.50 PM

Second time in two days I’ve driven to Bega. It’s not far but it’s bad travel management. However, it is a sensational drive. Fantasy forest and stream at the feet of a mountain.

Went to Bega hospital. It’s a good one. Couldn’t see where Geoff Broadhead works and a kind young medico told me the specialist layout.

Flies are making every day a terrible ordeal. It is exactly like living in a nightmare.

I’m at a loss what to do. Very pleased to be here tonight but there are few attractions at other unofficial spots.

Storage opens on the 6th. For the Bluetti return, if not earlier.

I’m struggling with living like this, but it’s mostly because of arseholes and busy rest spots.

If I didn’t have the cunt company disservice of Bluetti hanging over this period I’d go up to the tablelands. I won’t go up only to have to go up again soon.

If there weren’t flies I’d paint at Southbound.

I’m thinking even more than my usual lot about death. This trip seems like it will end in death. My life is reduced now to near zero.

Extraordinary. No problems or concerns with space invaders, others’ noise, my noise (I didn’t use earphones), louts hanging out, idling cars, idling cars playing music, ugly or nondescript surroundings, homesteads onlooking, and as it happened, no problems with late arrivals or late perusals.

Just me on a hilltop and a beautiful expanse of landscape and a van a bit further up who caused zero worries.

Remarkable because expectedly at this time of year it could be overrun. It’s a fantastic spot, just a long way from food, unless there’s a shop in Cobargo.

It was a cold night and colder morning, requiring jumper and trackie pants upon awakening (4AM per usual). Sunrise was actually unspectacular.

The wind appeared early and ready to unsettle. Cold air. The highway is extremely quiet, also unexpectedly.

Very peaceful indeed, other than the odd cow sound and earlier pre-dawn a pack of nonstop barking dogs quite far off.

I like it here a lot, great mindbreak from pests and arseholes and worries of elsewhere. It might take a bit to get used to.

What an incredible view through yhe windows, a counterpart to river views at Moruya for breakfast.

Time of writing: 6.50 AM.

UPDATE 8.50 AM

Been inside enjoying the peace and step outside of the van and instantly attacked around the eyes and face by flies.

Me. No idea what I’m doing, and riddled with fears and anxiety.

This is a horrible time of year for me, always. So I’m not going to decide on any personal deterioration until it’s over, although I know I am. February would be the best time to do that.

I could go to Bega for a look around and probably will. Then perhaps to Bemboka. After that, who knows.

Bluetti has written more stupidity to me, clueless beyond measure, so I’ve realised they’re only going to remain a pain and stress until I send the unit, a process which has been interrupted by their stupidity and the xmas break. I wanted to go up to the tablelands and travel until my eye appointment but can’t do that with this wholly fucked up customer disservice ruining my and Ds life. Makes me so angry.

Windy today, too. It was lije a cold autumn morning earlier and I loved it.

So at 9.20AM still in the van, unorganised and uninspired and rudderless.

…..As I wrote the above I saw something I’ve never seen before, and wondered about perhaps thrice. A guy changes the fire risk signs.

The updated risk is Plan and Prepare.

Wish I could!

UPDATE 9 50 AM

Just stepped outside, on the way to the bin, and all the way, attacked by flies. I must remember this about Quaama rest area in warmer months.

UPDATE 11 AM

Leaving Quaama. Showered. Stressed. Flies horrific.

New Quaama Camp

UPDATE 3.30 PM

Just along the road, 2ks. The Northbound site is higher, actually further from the highway, isn’t looked upon by the Quaama locals, and has this view out of the van door.

Was hoping for fewer flies but there are thousands.

Went to Bega after leaving the Southbound site and enjoyed a walk around. Shops closed but bought some sandals from BigW. Much needed cooler and can drive in them.

Then out to Bemboka where there’s a campground but charging $15 per night powered or unpowered. No way – that attracts arseholes who piss it up and play music and TVs.

Incredible country. It was only a recce then, I decided, and booked it in for a good look around sometime, then back to this Quaama spot.

The flies left last evening after 7.30PM so hopefully these do too. I do like this spot, and won’t get anyone beside me. Maybe, because there’s a hundred yards of equal free space, I’ll get the typical one up the van’s arse.

Had a look at the old Quaama spot and where I park was a huge caravan with slide out sides, settled in. Fuck that.

This is a great spot.

The photos are of Bega and on to Bemboka but the best views I couldn’t capture.

UPDATE 4.40 PM

The extreme wind and insane flies definitely increase stress and anxiety. It’s something of a nightmare. Much windier up on the hill here.

UPDATE 8.35 PM

No flies for an hour and a half, no wind, very charming and peaceful.

Lying in bed basking in a near 360 panorama of Australian landscape. The side windows north show breathtaking forms.

All the pain is worth it, for this. Sun has gone down mow, gold sky westward dimming, and the visual elements recede. Some photos to now. Back to watching. What a blessing. I can hardly believe it.

..Just before dark: