The day did not start well – for something. The upstairs bedroom contingent reported slithering and squawks as nature took its course. Then the rain started. Again. I have been wearing the butt of my ‘land of endless sunshine’ comment for a long time now!
It lightened for our send-off at the Reserve at Anstead. Many thanks to the team there who earmarked a carpark and provided free coffee to all our supporters. Well worth going back there if you’re ever in the Anstead/Moggill area!
We were cheered off by an admiring crowd. Great to see Morgan from Mates4Mates who came to see us off and Tim Collits from Channel 10. Thanks, Tim, again for your excellent coverage!
Then to the Moggill Ferry and away. Well, nearly. As we left it started raining again, and I reached for the windscreen wiper switch. It dangled limply from the steering wheel. Too many small hands. Disaster Lesson one; Don’t let people in the car who aren’t trained!
We stop at Yatala Pies, famous for its pies and famous, again, from a visit from the then Prince Charles. Later, even when cold, in more rain, and with blobby lukewarm gravy, ours is delicious!
We call in at NSW National Parks Information Centre, up by the lighthouse in Byron Bay, to pick up Day Vehicle passes. Not a success. I get navigation wrong (oops!) We find Land Rovers can’t do sharp U turns, and John gets stuck. There isn’t any parking, so James pretends he’s a bus. The nice lady in the information office can’t log in and wants to sell us a year’s pass at $190. But it’s a good view and a refreshing breeze.
We leave to lunch on Ulrika’s delicious quiche in a brief respite between showers, and amid local advice on the contents of our fridge.
‘Eat the food and fill it up with beer!’
On to Bundjalung National Park and the Black Rock camping area. Open, good roads with the vehicles running well at an easy 95 km/hr. Past Billinudgel, Sleepy Hollow and advice on littering from NSW Roads; ‘Don’t be a Tosser!’ The only cloud on the horizon is exactly that; large ones full of more rain.
Our spot at Black Rock campsite when we get there is wet, small and with minimal views or nearby facilities. I’d forgotten how difficult camping in the rain is. At one point our football-pitch size tarp is full of water which cascades over everything.
The beach has so many warning messages I didn’t get to the end of the list. ‘Steep slope’, ‘Sudden fall’, ‘Sharp rocks’, ‘No lifeguards’. ‘Rips can kill you’, and so on – usual for Australia! It’s impressive in an uninviting sort of way but the wind is dry and invigorating.
In the morning James, John and Guy have honed our ‘block jobs’ – army parlance for washing and packing up – to a fine art. Up at 6 and away before 8.
You can now follow our progress via the website or directly here and follow progress on our fundraising here. Collectively you have been really kind. We’re past our initial target. Awesome generosity! The charities we support do amazing work for young people and the veterans’ communities, so please share the links and encourage others to contribute if you can.