Rest Day Marree

It’s 249pm on Sunday the 30 May 2021

I have appreciated another day in Marree today. I spoke again with my family this morning and it was clear I needed more time before setting off again. Connecting with family meets a deeper need and reenergises the soul and smile. Just hanging out sharing everyday chitchat is perfect and I am enjoying multiple moments of that in between other todos today. After 8 days it was time and I know now just how much I need that time between stages where possible.

People often ask do I get lonely. The answer is no. I have always found deep connection with nature and naturally interact with Her birds and critters and wonders. It’s a fuel for the soul, as well as family and being part of a humanity I believe in.

What’s interesting is how much Banjo is a part of doing my day to day purposefully. I often refer to ‘we’ and ‘us’ and this may be confusing for followers who don’t understand the relationship. Banjo has a real identity in my heart and I share my immediate space with him with care, respect and a sense of adventure. we also have fun and it’s fun enjoying that dynamic. It’s sometimes captured on video but it’s always present and genuine. I’m sure a psychiatrist would have a field day analysing this but I’m okay with that. My relationship with Banjo happened instinctively and feels every bit natural and right in the extreme circumstances. He clearly meets my need to tackle the day in a relational way. When we had the flat my immediate response was ‘it’s okay mate, I got your back and will sort it out.’ We look out for each other that way and that’s the way it is!!! Delusional maybe but mentally healthy nonetheless.

I had a phone interview with Nick Crawford from the Moreton Daily/Dolphin News. He’s doing a third follow up article in this weeks online publication. Nick commented that following the challenge is compulsive viewing. That meant so much. Thanks Nick, it was really great talking to you. You got the early o’clock raw draft of how it’s been so far and I hope you salvaged some decent material out of our conversation for your article. Your media support is as always appreciated 101. He asks for a picture of Maree in Marree. Very funny 🤣

I have also been able add the cash donations from Gail, Mark, Nathan, Cindy and Melinda. That’s a total of $180 fine folk yay you!!!!! It’s also been good to read and reply to comments and contacts. Your contact is felt and I will continue to reply when I can in a timely way. 😘

It’s been good to email the boys at the mountain biker to check on how I can better manage the issue with my pump removing the inner core of Banjos tyre. Darren said it sounds like the valve core may have loosened during our travels. It can just be tightened, preferably with a valve core tool. Pliers will work, but I need to be careful to not over tighten it. He said not to worry too much about it – maybe just check it for tightness when I pump his tyres. I did this and got over my pump aversion with a valve core tool on order for the Laverton postal pack. 👍 thx Mum and dad 😘

I had real difficulty last night trying to upload my posts from the last week. I think 2/8 have successfully published but not without removing the multi media like videos and galleries. This was distressing because recording moments to share with you is a huge part of my day. I spoke this morning to some of the local folk and they said that the phone and internet connection is limited in remote towns like Marree and that this will continue where we’re heading. Its slow and often cuts out, making longer downloading processes impossible. Now I understand why my posts were failing, I can edit them so I can still share my days with you. I’m just happy there’s internet access albeit limited. Respect to the workers who enable any sort of service in such remote corners of our desert country.

I’m sure the locals have been entertained with my many wonders around town while talking with my family. Love this photo. The lady who owns the house scored the chairs from the local hospital who were upgrading. Bless her!!! “Expecting guests” I said. “No, just too good to bloody waste.” I wish her lots of good times and people watching.

On my routes I managed to take some pickies to appreciate the vintage and heritage of Marree.

So I’m going to finish editing the posts that are yet to publish. I apologise for images only, but please appreciate with me that any sharing is better than none. It would be impossible for me to do this challenge alone. I am part of a meaningful and purposeful collective of family, friends, sponsors and followers, all supporting beyondblue to build mental health in Australia.

Rest Day Marree

It’s 249pm on Sunday the 30 May 2021

I have appreciated another day in Marree today. I spoke again with my family this morning and it was clear I needed more time before setting off again. Connecting with family meets a deeper need and reenergises the soul and smile. Just hanging out sharing everyday chitchat is perfect and I am enjoying multiple moments of that in between other todos today. After 8 days it was time and I know now just how much I need that time between stages where possible.

People often ask do I get lonely. The answer is no. I have always found deep connection with nature and naturally interact with Her birds and critters and wonders. It’s a fuel for the soul, as well as family and being part of a humanity I believe in.

What’s interesting is how much Banjo is a part of doing my day to day purposefully. I often refer to ‘we’ and ‘us’ and this may be confusing for followers who don’t understand the relationship. Banjo has a real identity in my heart and I share my immediate space with him with care, respect and a sense of adventure. we also have fun and it’s fun enjoying that dynamic. It’s sometimes captured on video but it’s always present and genuine. I’m sure a psychiatrist would have a field day analysing this but I’m okay with that. My relationship with Banjo happened instinctively and feels every bit natural and right in the extreme circumstances. He clearly meets my need to tackle the day in a relational way. When we had the flat my immediate response was ‘it’s okay mate, I got your back and will sort it out.’ We look out for each other that way and that’s the way it is!!! Delusional maybe but mentally healthy nonetheless.

I had a phone interview with Nick Crawford from the Moreton Daily/Dolphin News. He’s doing a third follow up article in this weeks online publication. Nick commented that following the challenge is compulsive viewing. That meant so much. Thanks Nick, it was really great talking to you. You got the early o’clock raw draft of how it’s been so far and I hope you salvaged some decent material out of our conversation for your article. Your media support is as always appreciated 101. He asks for a picture of Maree in Marree. Very funny 🤣

I have also been able add the cash donations from Gail, Mark, Nathan, Cindy and Melinda. That’s a total of $180 fine folk yay you!!!!! It’s also been good to read and reply to comments and contacts. Your contact is felt and I will continue to reply when I can in a timely way. 😘

It’s been good to email the boys at the mountain biker to check on how I can better manage the issue with my pump removing the inner core of Banjos tyre. Darren said it sounds like the valve core may have loosened during our travels. It can just be tightened, preferably with a valve core tool. Pliers will work, but I need to be careful to not over tighten it. He said not to worry too much about it – maybe just check it for tightness when I pump his tyres. I did this and got over my pump aversion with a valve core tool on order for the Laverton postal pack. 👍 thx Mum and dad 😘

I had real difficulty last night trying to upload my posts from the last week. I think 2/8 have successfully published but not without removing the multi media like videos and galleries. This was distressing because recording moments to share with you is a huge part of my day. I spoke this morning to some of the local folk and they said that the phone and internet connection is limited in remote towns like Marree and that this will continue where we’re heading. Its slow and often cuts out, making longer downloading processes impossible. Now I understand why my posts were failing, I can edit them so I can still share my days with you. I’m just happy there’s internet access albeit limited. Respect to the workers who enable any sort of service in such remote corners of our desert country.

I’m sure the locals have been entertained with my many wonders around town while talking with my family. Love this photo. The lady who owns the house scored the chairs from the local hospital who were upgrading. Bless her!!! “Expecting guests” I said. “No, just too good to bloody waste.” I wish her lots of good times and people watching.

On my routes I managed to take some pickies to appreciate the vintage and heritage of Marree.

So I’m going to finish editing the posts that are yet to publish. I apologise for images only, but please appreciate with me that any sharing is better than none. It would be impossible for me to do this challenge alone. I am part of a meaningful and purposeful collective of family, friends, sponsors and followers, all supporting beyondblue to build mental health in Australia.