Well, hello there. Today is day 6 of travelling. My original intention was to 'pack the car with the tent and just go for a drive wherever it took me'.
The temperatures however have definitely chickened me into the warmth and cosiness of a timber roof over my head, and a big comfy bed instead!!
I set off from The Vibe and Paul on Saturday, to many tears and also excitement of what lay ahead. It was like breaking an umbilical cord. My planned destination was Byron Bay - ahead of a a subsequent 4.5 hour drive to Heartland Retreat in Gympie (i'd booked in for 5 days of healing and cleansing and retreat).
Well, having cried my way in between happily singing my heart out to first, Robbie Williams, then Abba and then as approaching Bellingen - Elton, well, my vocal cords were well oiled and very happy.
After six plus hours of driving, and it being a little late in the day, I just couldn't bear watching Bellingen go by - Cate's Robb talks so highly about it as a possible place to take our retreat ... I decided to go there. I'd also heard that the YHA was a fantastic spot (voted best backpackers in Australia).
They first told me there were no others booked in the hostel that night, so i figured i'd get a dorm room to myself. It wasn't to be, and these two gorgeous young early 20s girls came in. They were school friends from BAturst. Alice is studying environmental science of Uni of NSW, and Sophie is a 'rookie' nurse at Bathurst. Both were so refreshingly full of spirit and vibrance. And excitedly share that they have lined up a community gardening day the next day if I would like to join them.
Well, that put paid to making it to Heartland retreat - something I"d been chewing over anyway - so I said YES, and next day we set off.
I ahve to say Bellingen was so lovely, I awoke before them next day, and went for a walk. All the locals greeted me with a 'good morning!! have a great day"... so exuberant and friendly. The rainforested mountains in teh distance, the river running through it, adn the sleepy litl ehouses... the green pastures with curious cows, and just beautiful beautiful peaceful place.
The cafe in town tells me tey have a 'transition town cafe' project underway, looking at how the town can skill itself up for sustainability in light of peak oil and all the rest. This is a forwad thinking town!!
WEll, at the community garden - where i met four of the eight families sharing the plot, met the most wonderful wonderful souls. They are all looking to pilot the community garden to Council, in hope that it creates a model for council to provide community plots in future. They have all sorts of veggies growing. One of the participants is the local TAFE organic farming teacher. The other couple are testing out their biodynamic preparation. WE got to help them stir it and spread it around. It was like homeopathic drops for plants!!! Such a beautiful day.
WE also met Fiona, a vibrant woman, who was right into the whole thing. We hit it off as she has read Anastasia!! She lives in a timber yert on the hill (compliments of Goulburn Yert Works), she promies to take me up there later in the day.
She also put Alice in contact with Nell, and drove us up late rin the day to meet this dynamo of a 70 plus year old woman. Who had the most incredible garden and orchard you could imagine. She was just amazing. Alice decides to go and WWOOF for her (willing worker on organic farm) when Sophie heads off the following tuesday.
What a community! fiona goes on to tell me about the solar energy project they have got running - a neighbourhoood of people putting solar panels on their house . .They are pioneering the project, and got the price down from $3,500 to $895! Amazing.
What a first day on my travels!! Could not have asked for a more nurturing and engaging start to my travels.
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