West Wylong to Dubbo week 5

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

HAY to WEST WYLONG

6th HAY to CBR 40km

stopped in great reserve on the river - nice night with Bresnan family from Melbourne

7th CBR to CBR 44km

stopped in river rserve - very windy night snapped tent

8th CBR to Darlington point 44km

stayed in camp ground

9th Darlington Point to Griffith 35km

Local paper met me outside town, local radio had me on for an interview, great people in town, found internet cafe and updated some emails, banking etc. walked through town thinking abut having pasta or Pizza by passed a couple of cafes and then thought tuna will do and then around the corner came Romeo & Juliet Italian restaurant - Yeah Pizza and pasta it was great nice staff and then they suprised me with offering the meal as their support - THANK YOU made my way in the dark to Griffith Caravan Village office closed I wondered if they would mind if I set up tent on great grass they had outside office, I called emergency number and the man said Ill be 5 minutes. He pulled up and we chatted for a bit - then they said we heard you on the radio and would like to offer you a cabin as we are flooding the grass 2night. Great shower great sleep and even Breakfast pack THANK YOU so much Keith and Pearl

10th Griffith to Barellan 51km

Later start 7.30 - struggling against head wind - lacking motivation. But met great people on road that brings the energy back and kept going. Met Tony & Kerry from Gold coast on their morning walk shared some nice moments - THANKYOU for your encouragement and understanding. After 2.30 thinking about stopping for the day and car pulled up with Bernadette and daughters Beer or Ice block was the offer - I chose Ice Block - Frosty Fruits after photos they drove away and I burst into tears - Frosty Fruits were one of Brony's favourites, I took it as a sign to keep going, my tempo increased and started to see Brony's touches in lots of things that have happened.
Couple of hours later Bernadette was back to tell me there was a room at the pub if I made it - wow I couldn't believe how wonderful they were. I tried to up the pace again - 6pm and my legs were burning so had to pull up for food at the rest area legs up and some tuna & beans rest for 40min and I just wanted to stay were I was for the night, but I didn't want to dissapoint Bernadette so I carried on This was my biggest km day so far. made town on sunset and I saw 2 figures walking in the distance - wow a welcoming commitee. Bernadette and her daughter out for their evening walk escorted me into town it was so nice to share the last 500mtrs with someone. Dinner and drinks at the pub, meeting locals - it was a great night and everyone I met was fantastic. Thank you Barellan

11th Barellan to Mirool 54km (CBR just out of town)

Crazy - I walked further today. Met some local at Artlethan pub and bowling club, also the BP at Beckom was great meeting Jaz - shouted me dinner. it gave me the energy to almost make Mirool but ran out of daylight and with nowhere to pull up I kept going forward with Hope that I would find somewhere safe- sure enough over the rise the bend in the road had made a section of road cut off and perfect place to stay and wtach the lighting in the distance.


12th Mirool to West Wylong

Long walk today again and ran out of water and daylight - but rest day tomorrow so no dramas.

AMAZING - sitting having lunch break looked up and saw somebody wlking towards me - low and behold another long distance walker - John Olsen walked across from WA to Byron Bay and now walking south to Geelong, sat and shared stories compared notes for an hour, GREAT MEETING YOU JOHN -

headed off again with renewed energy. had to pull in to farm house 6km ou of town to ask for water or else I would have not made it. Pat Cleary helped me with water and we shared fundraising stories nice meeting you too Brownie, Hope to share a beer with you next time.

Euston to Hay Week 3

1st Jan CBR to Balranald 40.5km
stopped at campground - met lovely man on road from Switzerland

2nd Jan Balranald to CBR 44km
no one stopped weird - stayed on side of road next two small shrubs - no cover at all from nothing.

3rd Jan CBR to CBR 49km

same as previous day!!! 12.00 had family stop that herd about me from Visitor info at Mildura.

4th Jan CBR to HAY 40 km
stayed at the same hotel we stayed with dad. meal at pub shouted thank you.good sleep,

5th Jan HAY REST DAY

Visitor info very helpful. spayed buggy in pink !!!
shouted tea at the services club and met dance group - great People.

Renmark to Euston Week 2

24th Dec - Renmark - rest day
woke late - sorted washing, borrowed bike from klaus to ride into town, had Breaky at cafe overlooking the river. Cruised around, spent some time on net at Library, Had a call from SBS radio Sydney, it was a nice suprise to have Mum and my grandmother Taty also on the call to wish them a merry Xmas. Sat by the river a long while just thinkin of Brony and getting lost in so many thoughts. Had a visit from Kevin chatting about the secret and lots of interesting stuff and then had Nicoli come past and drop off something I had left behind at her place.
later had dinner at the Bistro and had an early night ready for the start of a new week of walking.

25th Dec - Renmark to Camp Beside Road (CBR) approx 42km
Early start - about to head of and Kevin turned up with a hot Xmas breakfast for me made by one of his daughters - THANK YOU it was great!! gave me the energy I needed to start the day.
hot day - met some interesting people on the road. it was so hot I was wishing for some shelter - I need a table and shelter, table and shelter, table and shelter - 20min later down the road as I was loosing it....table and shelter!!!!! LAW OF ATTRACTION at work. I lay down in the shade fell asleep and then woke to have some food. Still very hot at 2pm was wondering if I should wait longer before heading off, got going at 2.30. Good alone time, just me the birds, trees, Brony and the sun oh and the flies!!! stopping every hour for shade and water breaks to keep from exhausting my self, got to a point I couldn't go anyfurther, legs had it feet had it, I had just passed 40km so I started to look for a place to camp the night, couple more km and found a nice spot overlooking wheat fields with the sun setting behind - it was a beautiful place to spend XMas night - just me - nature - thoughts of Brony.

26th CBR - Lake Culluleraine 35km approx

Ive decided to try and make entries shorter if I can so I can catch up -
Awesome sunrise!!! hit the road early --- way too much heat 50+on handle bars..endured on nice people stopped with cold water.. lunch under a tree in a ditch on side of road - SHADE the main thing.
Made the lake - what a site water......dove in clothes and all - took of my shoes. Nice people on side of lake offered cold soft drinks sat a while and chatted. Stayed at camp ground - great group of locals suprised me with a plate of christams left overs scoffed them down with a beer stayed up till late with Adrian, Dicko, Barb, Macka - thanks for the hospitatlity.
The lake was beautiful sat and thought about Bron while looking at the view that she would have loved, its still so hard doing all this with out her!!!
The wind and rain came during the night- cheap tent = water enters !!! will have to fix that down the road.


27th Lake Culluleraine - Merbein South 40.9km

On the road later, walked all day few stops - aiming for small town before Mildura. Not many people on road, Chilean guy that heard SBS program stopped to say gday. pwered on through the arvo - Heat was 50+on the handle bars again. about 3.30 started wobbling a bit - time to find shade none around went on for a while then a tree. couldn't lie down so sat on plank of wood found earlier, must of been a while & been out of it because I didn't hear a lady pull up and ask if I was OK she gave a donation and offered to get me a cold drink from shop down the road 10min for her 2hours for me, she was back in a flash with cold water , coke and Barley sugars wow just what I needed to get the rest of the way - Thank you Kim you saved me. hours later finally made it to Merbein South everything closed and asked a man how far caravan park was another 5km it was getting dark and I was stuffed, Larry then offered me a drink and to pull up in his place. Great guy, styed up chating til late with him - feed, shower and bed for the night - Luxury!!

28th Merbein South - Mildura 22km
easy walk into town
went to Rays outdoor store for another pair of shoes - worn through a pair allready!!
Ladies there were great all running around after me looking for my size in different shoes, very genourously discounted the shoes for me and Vickie and Hannah donated a canteen and innersoles - thank you
found camp ground - feelin a little heat struck dove in river and then slep in tent the afternoon - still not well, had some food and more sleep. call from local paper and radio to meet in morning have to do banking and some food shopping -

29th Mildura - CBR 41km
Feelin better this morning
1st walk back 1.5km into town to meet up with newspaper and then radio, bank and shops.
finally under way by 10am, good walk. bought avos and oranges at roadside, rested in shade a few times had a good siesta at one, camp by roadside on fire track. sleeping by 8.45 dreaming with Brony almoust halousinating.

30th CBR - Euston
6.30start rough sleep mattress deflated slept on rock!!cold night. Another quiet day on the road, starting to lack motivation at times and struggling with the heat. Lots of self talk and long conversations with Brony - pushed on - started thinking about having pasta for dinner - made Euston early by 630pm greeted by gentleman and his grandson in front of their property after a quick chat Tony invited me in to refill my water bottles with his filtered water - tasted great, faboulous house, then he said stay for some pasta!!! your kiding I was wanting pasta for the last 3 hours on the road - wow great meal homemade red wine lovely family Thank you Tony Zappia.
Went to local campground - met another group of wonderful people - all from Portland, water skiers shared a beer and some stories,

31st Euston - CBR

Breaky with Des and wife from portland, sorry about the spilled coffee - thats a "brony"

Hit the road for another hard slog in the heat - battered by the wind a little pulled into a half empty lake for a rest and food. started again at 2. lots of breaks under shade. found a goodspot to camp the night - had a warm bourbon & coke that had been donated a few days ago to toast the newyear all my thoughts are with Brony and struggling to make sense of what Im doing with out her but here I am doing this crazy walk....., sleepin by 9.30. Who knows what the new year brings?????