13th Jan West Wylong rest day
a rest day, shopping, beard trim, massage 30min doanted by lovely massuese (sorry left name in other gear) swim in pool
feeling ready to get back on the road, heat an issue as in a scorcha of a heat wave at the moment, Every one at the caravan park was great and met a couple of wonderful people - Jim - gave me some good tips on keeping my eyesight - NO RICE!! aparantley but he was great to chat to and Cheryl traveling to SA to spend time with her sister - a wonderful lady that has been through a lot and nice to share a table while eating my chicken dinner.
14th Jan West Wylong to CBR 45km
Walking in the heat not a problem anymore - just look towards the next tree and then the next and then the next - dodge a few trucks and cars and the morning is done a ready to get the socks of to rest the feet while munching on some nuts and drinking a rehydrating drink that I won't name as I have not been sponsored!!!!! ha ha just a joke. Heat intense and once again reached over 52 by 2pm - all my drinking water hot and not many people stopping this afternoon took some shelter and lay down for a bit just as my eyes wher closing an almighty explosion scared the crap out of me - gunshot? bomb? car? not sure what it was but I figured this was not the place to rest - kept moving - I was spent by 6pm but temp not going down and nowhere to camp so had to push through the pain and the exhaustion?(spelling)at 45km couldn't take another step ... had it thankfully across the road a wide fire trail and with some coverage for comoflage, ate some beans and dry crackers for dinner - pitched the tent and lay down - I think heat affected as I was spinning a bit and wondering what I was out here in this heat 7.30 still above 38 on my handle bars for but then I watched the sun set and finally some cooler breeze about 10pm - felt sick most of the night.
15th Jan CBR to CBR (Mattiske Farm)52km
restless night - but feeling better when I opened eyes at 5am decided to get an early jump on the heat, slow to pack up but was walking by 6am and definatelly cooler, wanting to get close to Forbes today, great country side and enjoying the sunrise and all of what the country has been providing, farming land a little dry but interesting scene changes from hour to hour.
Have been enjoying a new purchase a picnic rug - was getting tired of tghrowing myself on the ground and the thorny bushes - picnic rug - great for a little power nap in the shade of the trees - really enjoying this - looking up at the trees and thinking of Brony, pondering on the positives of our life together and all the wonderful moments we had lying together looking at rivers, lakes, mountains, beaches, trees, parks, she would love to take a snooze under a tree in the shade - its comforting when i talk to her while lying under a new tree....sorry tears, have shed lots and still going.
while having a rest a car pulled up and it was a family that had stopped a couple of weeks ago on their way to holiday in QLD now they were heading home, nice to see them again. at another stop I met a couple of Naromine locals that knew Glenn McGrath when they were kids played basketball together - Pat Mckay - said I should go to naromine to see where glenn gre up - 40km from Dubbo -
with the heat and the massage the other day drinking lots of water, starting to run out 18km out of town - hoping to find a farm house close to road to ask for some help with water or better still a cold soft drink - 14km from town a wonderful site - a beautiful farmhouse with lovely gardens, I saw someone in the backyard so I called out and met David who obliged with water and apples and then a cold can of softdrink - after over 50km that drink tasted like heaven!!! After a chat - I was ivited to pitch m,y tent ion their grass - an amazing sunset- and the best sleep Ive ghad in ages - soft grass!!!! David and Janelle thank you so much for your hospitality you have a wonderful home.
16th Jan CBR - Forbes to Parkes
met by local paper and local Yvonne who works with BC community care a lovely lady helped me with water and insulation bags to keep cooler.
WIN TV sent camera to cover and do quick interview. rested a while in forbes met some great locals and carried on to Parkes.
at caravan park met Nick and Lisa and Garry and Sharon - thank you for the tea and conversation - Lisa it was a privilage to meet you and I hope we stay in touch.
17th Parkes to Peak Hill 50km
wandered down hill early and stopped by the info ctre to reshuffle some gear around. a couple of people out for their morning walk - nice to see. Cooler start to the day, but that changed after a few hours on the road. Steady pace all day and met some nice motorists along the way. into a rhythm with the walk now - playing the duck and dodge game with the trucks - and the wave at all the cars and see how many wave back game is good too. Wonderful old building as you enter peak hill - the hospital - as I walked through the main street a few people stopped me to chat and then a lovely group of locals having a farewell party for the local doctor called me over to say hello - a wonderful group of people - after many glasses of lovely cold icy punch and a plate full of sweats, I made my way to the caravan park where "trudy" "unofficial mayor" I think was her name had arranged with Leighton for use of of a camper for the night. Thankyou for the warm welcome and hospitality.
18th peak Hill to naromine 58km
Early rise and I had an invite to Breakfast at local community nurses (sorry jst have mental blank on your name and details ive misplaced your card.)home for 90th bday celebrations. It was great to meet the family and share a bacon egg roll with them. after some hugs and I was off later than usual 8.30am. Along the way people had been asking if I would be going to Naromine - town were Glen McGrath grew up. So I decided to make the detour. this would be a big walking day and I sstartd late so not many rest stops. the km's kept counting down and people
19th Naromine to Dubbo 40km
20th Dubbo rest day
