Week 2 (Monday 11 Nov – Saturday 16 Nov 2024)
Day 9: Monday 11 November 2024
Michael and I got ready after I had a shower early morning. Before going to bed, we had told the Dixons that we do not eat or drink tea/coffee before the early morning walk. We drove to Lindenow where we had walked to the previous day. We walked from Lindenow to Bairnsdale and went to the supermarket to get fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, yoghurt, milk and bread. We checked into the NRMA Holiday Park. We are so grateful to the Holiday Park Management for their support for our walk and for the McGrath Foundation. A big thank you to the Management team. Late afternoon, we resumed the walk and finished at Nicholson. We drove back to Bairnsdale and we had dinner at the Chinese restaurant on the Princes Hwy opposite the Holiday Park. After such a long day, I was exhausted so I hit the bed.
Day 10: Tuesday 12 November 2024
According to our schedule, we were supposed to walk from Bairnsdale to Johnsonville today, but we had already walked past Bairnsdale. It should be noted that the schedule is just a guide and when required, adjustments are made due to weather conditions, stamina of my own body and challenges of the terrain.
Michael and I left Bairnsdale and drove to Nicholson. In accordance with my own belief and tradition, I paid my respect to Mother Earth and resumed the walk. It was a nice day for walking. After a couple of short breaks for a quick bite and powernap, we kept walking until we reached the beautiful town of Lakes Entrance. Coming into The Lakes as it is popularly known, the views from the top of the hill are simply spectacular. No wonder, this beautiful place is so popular with thousands of tourists. Some of the scenes remind you of the famous Marine Drive of Mumbai. Of course, Lakes Entrance is significantly smaller but much cleaner and much more organised than the financial capital of India.
One of Michael’s friends owned a caravan park in Lakes Entrance. Before arriving here, Michael had already made a booking over the phone. Before heading to the caravan park, we wanted to eat something. We went to Pizza on Myer. It was good quality, well cooked pizza. We enjoyed it. While waiting for the pizza to be ready, I met a couple of Gujaratis from Sydney who had just closed a business deal and purchased a motel at Lakes Entrance. They were pleased to know that I was walking for such a noble cause and as part of their Indian community, I was doing this service for the greater good of the society. After finishing our dinner, we drove to the caravan park. I went to sleep while Michael was comfortable talking to the Chinese receptionist in their native language.
Day 11: Wednesday 13 November 2024
Michael and I had a good sleep at this caravan park located in a quiet place. Instead of walking early morning, we had a cup of tea and lights refreshments. We drove all the way to Traralgon for a media interview. While waiting for the journalist to arrive, I visited the information centre and the library next door. Subsequently, Michael and I had lunch. In the afternoon, we drove back to Lakes Entrance and checked into the NRMA Holiday Park. The Management team was very helpful to support our walk for such a noble cause in association with the McGrath Foundation. A big thank you to the Management Team! We had dinner in the van and went to sleep.
Day 12: Thursday 14 November 2024
We resumed the walk early morning and after stopping for breakfast and a powernap, we reached Nowa Nowa. Michael was ahead of me. He told me that as soon as he had parked outside the Nowa Nowa General Store, the lady owner had come to see the van. The word had preceded us. She had requested Michael to come into the store and have food, snacks, fruit, and cold/hot drinks. For those not familiar with the location, Nowa Nowa General Store is right at the junction of Princes Hwy A1 from Lakes Entrance to Orbost where the direct route from Bairnsdale to Orbost via Bruthen (B500 and C620) rejoins the Princes Hwy toward Orbost. Once I arrived at the van, Michael told me about the invite by the lady owner of the store. We both walked in to a smiling reception. We were very pleased by the welcome we received. We enjoyed our coffee and snacks. In addition, the family-run business also made a generous donation. We are so indebted to this family for their generosity. A big thank you!
After the break, we continued our walk to Tostaree, our destination for the day. My body was very tired. We called it a day and drove back to Lakes Entrance for another night at the NRMA Holiday Park. A big thank you to the Management Team for supporting our walk and making our stay so comfortable. We enjoyed another night so close to the ocean.
Day 13: Friday 15 November 2024
Michael and I got ready and drove to Tostaree to start the walk towards Orbost. when we reached Wombat Creek, we had a short break. Here is a family that has been producing Wombat Honey for several generations. The current owner came over to our van and gave us a couple of jars of pure honey and said, "This honey might come handy when you are low on energy on your walk.." A big thank you to the generosity of this farmer family. After a quick nap and breakfast, we continued to Newmerella Rest Area where a Food-van was selling hot/cold drinks and snacks. Once we introduced ourselves, the owners didn’t want to take any money for coffee/tea and cakes.
We left the rest area and after crossing the bridge, we walked into Orbost and checked into the caravan park. The remains of the old railway bridge were still visible, and it looked like that the bridge was being restored perhaps for a walking trail. Michael and I began our journey back to Stratford.
I had already messaged Kylie Dixon of our approximate arrival time at their house in Stratford. She told me that she was attending a funeral and unlikely to be home when we arrived. However, when we arrived at their house, Jeff was home working on a machine in his garage. Michael switched from van to his Ute. I drove the van and parked it near the Café where we were supposed to meet up for a crew change. Michael followed me with the Ute and parked behind me. While waiting for the incoming crew member to arrive from Melbourne, Michael and I had some coffee and snacks at the Badger and Hare Café.
I communicated with Kushal Sharma who was coming in to relieve Michael. He was just a few minutes away. After Kushal arrived, Michael handed over the van keys to Kushal and left for Melbourne. Kushal and I went to the Café to have something to eat and have coffee. Subsequently, I drove the van to the residence of The Dixons. Kushal parked his car where Michael’s Ute had been parked before. Kushal took charge of the van.
Kushal and I drove the van from Stratford to Orbost, had dinner in the van and went to sleep.
Day 14: Saturday 16 November 2024
Kushal and I started the walk early morning. After short breaks for breakfast and a quick nap, we continued until it got hot. We planned to reach Cabbage Tree Creek on Princes Hwy, but the heat became unbearable. So we called it a day and returned to Orbost caravan park for another night. We returned early and Kushal had been very kind to bring along his dholki, so I requested him to do some kirtan to chant the Divine name. He sang my favourite bhajans and kirtans. It was very soothing and energising in the middle of the walk while we rested in the caravan park. He took us into a different world by the power of chanting. A big thank you to Kushal! We had dinner in the van and went to sleep.
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