Sunday 24 November: Kiah to Eden
After late night sleep due to the crew change over and sharing the cabin between the four of us, it was a late start in the morning by our standards. The incoming Sharma Ji and Gautam Garg were very tired when they reached Mallacoota. The outgoing Bharat bhai was excited that he was heading home after spending a week on the road and sleeping in the van. It was a warm welcome to Sharma ji and we were sad to see Bharat bhai leave us. Nevertheless, A big thank you to Bharat bhai for his contribution to keep us going.
Slowly everyone got ready for the day, and we all had breakfast in the cabin. Subsequently, we took some photos to mark our get together at Mallacoota. Gautam and Bharat bhai left for Melbourne via A1 Princes Hwy. Sharma Ji and I took some time and left for Kiah to start the walk. It was a bit cloudy, and the coolish temperature was perfect for the walk. When we reached the marked location, I touched my forehead to the ground to seek permission from the Mother Earth to begin the walk. We did the radio test to make sure that we could communicate if everything failed.
It was a windy road with some tight curves and at times, with no shoulder to walk on. I had to board the van to get through. Then it began to drizzle which got heavier in no time and we had to abandon the walk. We drove to Eden and checked into a caravan park with beautiful views of the waterfront. We had some rest in the van, had dinner and went to sleep.
Monday 25 November: Walk to Eden and beyond
Sharma Ji and I got ready and drove back to the point where we had stopped the walk due to rain the previous day. I paid my respect to Mother Earth, tested the two-way radios, and started the walk. Sharma Ji was slightly ahead of me as we entered the town of Eden. It was around 8:30 AM and I was crossing a street walking towards the town centre. A car was approaching, so I stopped to give way to the car. The car stopped near me and the woman driver winds down the window and says, “ Hi Prabodh. How are you doing?” I didn’t expect anyone to know me in Eden. So, I was baffled a bit. Sensing that I was lost a bit, she said, “Hey, I am Polly” and the penny dropped. Polly and I worked together at the Victoria University in Melbourne. I had no idea she had moved to Eden. She was on her way to drop the kids off to school. It was a pleasant surprise, but we couldn’t continue to chat. Otherwise, we would block the street. She took off to school and I continued to walk.
When I reached the petrol station in the town centre, Polly came out of the gym opposite the gas station where she regularly went after dropping the kids off to school. We had a quick chat and she told me that she had been following my walk and had been on the lookout for me. What a coincidence that I was crossing that street at the same time as she approached it! Polly told me that she and her husband had decided to move from Melbourne. A few years earlier, they bought a 60-70 acre farm near Eden where they were planning to bring up their kids. She also told me that we could catch up once she picked up the kids from school.
Sharma Ji and I filled up the van. While I was making the payment at the counter, a young man chipped in $50. A big thank you to this unknown man! He didn’t want a receipt. I put the amount through to donations under anonymous donor. We continued our walk through the town towards Bega. After a short nap and a quick bite, we continued our walk on the A1 Princes Hwy.
I was walking on the right side of the road as I am supposed to, when a motorhome pulled up opposite me. The male driver was waving to me, so I waved back. Then he waved me to come over. I thought perhaps he wanted to make a donation. I waited for the traffic to clear and walked across where he had parked clear of the highway. As soon as I reached across, he called out my nickname that was mostly used when I worked with the then Victorian Railways. I asked him if he had worked with the railways. David Barton said yes, he did. Then he told me that I had examined him when he had just joined the railways as a Second Person (Trainee Driver). I was embarrassed that I couldn’t remember his name as I would have examined a large number of staff during my time with the railways. I asked if I had passed him. He said, yes, I did. We got a good laugh and had a good chat about how the railways had changed over the last three decades.
David told me that he had been following our walk through the Victorian Railways Institute (VRI) Newsletter. He and his wife were returning to Melbourne from holidays in NSW. When he spotted the van with the banners, he knew that I would be in the area. He made a U-turn to find me and, he indeed did. David made a generous donation to the McGrath Foundation. I issued a receipt, and we took some photos with the Barton family. His wife remarked, “It doesn’t matter where we go, David always finds someone he knows.” A big thank you to David and his wife for their kind support for the walk. Good on you David!
What a pleasant surprise twice on the same day to come across two different people originally from Melbourne spotting me on the walk in or around Eden in NSW. It is mind boggling to say the least. After reaching Broadwater, we drove back to Eden, went to the supermarket to do some shopping. Subsequently, we met with Polly and her children near our caravan park. She has two beautiful children (a girl and a boy), and they were having a great time at the playground. After about an hour or so, we took leave and drove to the caravan park next door. We had dinner in the van. I had a shower, and we went to sleep.
Tuesday 26 November: Broadwater to Merimbula
Sharma Ji and I got ready and drove to the junction on the A1 Princes Hwy. We were honoured when Russell Fitzpatrick, Mayor for Bega Valley Shire Council, joined us on the walk from Broadwater to Merimbula. Around 6 AM, I texted Russell that we had arrived at the junction. He responded straightaway and within five minutes, his wife dropped him off to the location. It was indeed a privilege and a great honour that our fundraising walk got such a high-profile support. We took some photos and started the walk. Russell a three-time Mayor of this beautiful shire, apprised us on the history or various towns. Mayor Fitzpatrick briefed us on the fisheries based economy around the area and the progress made during his tenures. We walked non-stop for two and a half hours to reach Merimbula. This 13 Kms walk was quite enjoyable and safe because a significant part of this road has a dedicated path for cyclists and pedestrians. Upon reaching our destination, we thanked Mayor Fitzpatrick for his time. We would like to record our appreciation and acknowledge The Bega Valley Mayor’s support for this noble initiative and his contribution to raise awareness about breast cancer. A big thank you Russell!
Sharma Ji and I parked the van at the back of the town centre. We walked to a café nearby and ordered coffee and some snacks. Subsequently, we walked to find the NRMA Holiday Resort and caravan park. We checked in for the night and washed our clothes. We drove back to the town centre looking for a coffee shop. Most of the Cafeterias had already closed for the day. We saw this takeaway shop open next to the Waterfront Café which was closed.
A Sudanese guy Suleman greeted us and invited us in. When he found out what we were doing, he got very excited. We told him that we were just looking for coffee, he didn’t sell coffee, but he pointed us in the right direction. He insisted that we come back for dinner at his takeaway. I told him that we could return to his shop Saturday evening when the final crew change would take place. We took some photos with Suleman and put him on YouTube. He was very happy. Thank you so much for your generous hospitality my friend!
We drove back to the caravan park, made dinner and went to sleep.
Wednesday 27 November: Merimbula to Bega
In the original planning, today was supposed to be a rest day. However, with logistical changes taking place, it became necessary to alter our walk schedule as well. After Sharma Ji and I got ready, we drove to the Merimbula town centre. I touched my forehead to the ground to pay respect to Mother Earth and began the walk to Bega. There was no need to drive back to Broadwater to get on the A1 Princes Hwy. We followed the road that takes you directly to A1 Princes Hwy towards Bega.
It was a 33 kms long and challenging walk with several hills to cross. The Princes Hwy has a lot of traffic at any given time. However, it gets busier as it gets closer to Bega because of the town being the business centre for the region and the Bega Valley Shire Council Headquarters. We stopped at the designated rest areas on the A1 Princes Hwy. After a few breaks for powernap, rest and recovery, we finally arrived at Bega. We drove to the town centre and visited the Council Offices. Most of the coffee shops in the immediate area were closed. We had a coffee at the only place we found open in a small Alley opposite the Council Offices. Mark Whitbread of EC One Esspresso made us a beautiful coffee but refused to take any money when he found out that we were walking to support the McGrath Foundation. A big thank you Mark for your support for the noble cause. We visited the nearby Plaza and got some fresh fruit, vegies, bread and milk.
We headed back to Merimbula as we had been offered complimentary accommodation at the beautiful Sea Spray Motel at 38 Merimbula Drive, Merimbula. Clive Harwood, a close friend had organized our stay there and we are so grateful to him for this kindness. We were welcomed by Michelle, the owner of this 4-star luxury motel, and a stunningly beautiful place. We were welcome to use all the facilities including the swimming pool. I was so exhausted after the walk that a hot shower and something to eat were all I wanted before going to sleep. The comfortable beds were a huge blessing for us rather than sleeping in the van. We had sandwiches and tea for dinner before hitting the bed for dreams.
Thursday 28 November: Bega to Quaama
Sharma Ji and I got ready and drove back to Bega. After crossing the bridge, we remained on the A1 Princes Hwy. At the roundabout, I prayed to Mother Earth and started the 31 kms walk to Quaama. After a couple of hours, we were joined by a team of journalists while I was still walking on the Princes Hwy. I suggested that we go to the van where it would be safe and we could sit in a quiet environment. But he wanted to continue the discussion while I walked. For safety reasons, we paused the walk at a spacious corner of the highway and completed the interview.
We had a couple of short breaks but continued our walk to Quaama. After reaching our destination for the day, we turned around and drove back to the Sea Spray Motel at Merimbula. We had just parked at the Motel where we met a family of three (father, mother and presumably their daughter). They had just buried their beloved mother, grandmother and mother-in-law. According to the family, Peggy MacDonald, at 99 was the longest surviving breast cancer patient in the country. She was first diagnosed with the dreadful disease when she was just 43. Peter Mac Hospital had made a special mention of her extraordinary long survival.
We made sandwiches for dinner and had a cuppa before going to bed at this last chance of sleeping in comfortable beds.
Friday 29 November: Quaama to Tilba
Sharma Ji and I got ready in the morning and drove back to Quaama to start the walk for the day. After touching my forehead to the ground, we went through the radio test, and started the walk. The terrain was tough and challenging but it was beautiful. After stopping for breakfast and powernap, we continued to walk. After reaching Tilba, we marked the location to resume the walk the next day.
We drove to Bega town centre. Sharma Ji and I went to Woolworths to stock up fresh fruit, vegies, milk and bread. As noted in earlier blogs, Bega cafes close by 3:30/4:00 PM, we had to eat in the van. We drove to Bega Caravan Park to stay the night. When the owner found out the purpose of our walk, he didn’t take any money for the unpowered site. We are so grateful for his generosity. Bega Caravan Park, a big thank you!
Saturday 30 November Bega – Merimbula and Final Crew Changeover
Sharma Ji and I took it easy getting ready. We had light refreshments and tea before leaving the caravan park. We drove to the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, a must visit place for any visitor to the Bega Valley. The present building was constructed in 1993 that is a ‘faithful reproduction’ of the original ‘creamery’ building of 1899. The Heritage Centre showcases early models of machines, and techniques used in the dairy industry. It also shows the horse-buggies used in the early days of transportation of the products. It entails history of how Bega became a hub for the industry. Overall, it was an eye-opening experience. The visit to this building became the highlight of Sharma Ji’s week spent with me supporting the walk.
On the ground floor of the Heritage Centre, there is a cafeteria where free tasting of a variety of cheese provides an opportunity to taste before buying these very special products. Sharma Ji and I enjoyed coffee with some snacks sitting outside enjoying the views from the veranda. We took photos of the erstwhile delivery van parked at the front of the Centre.
We drove back towards Melbourne to Merimbula to facilitate the final changeover of support crew. The incoming Shekhar Malhotra would take over from the outgoing Jagmohan Sharma ji. My long-time friend Mahendra Prasad was kind enough to drive to Merimbula with Shekhar and stay overnight. Sunday morning, Mahendra would return to Melbourne with Sharma Ji. We had already booked a Cabin for our stay at the NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort. Sharma Ji and I checked in for the night. Later in the afternoon, Mahendra bhayia and Shekhar also arrived. Everyone was very impressed with the 5-star accommodation. With beautiful views of the ocean, the cabin had a fully functional modern kitchen and dining table for six. In addition to the large TV in the lounge, each of the large bedrooms had a TV with attached bathroom with toilet. The cabin had everything a family needs for a great holiday. We are so grateful to the NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort. A big thank you to its Management Team!
After a cuppa at the cabin, I told everyone that we would get ready to go out and have pizza for dinner at Suleman’s place. I didn’t want to let down and disappoint my young friend. When we arrived at this takeaway, Suleman could hardly contain his excitement. The joy on his face and the sparkle in his eyes was unmistakable. Suleman sat us down on a table of four and brought four bottles of Powerade even though we just wanted to have water. He made a couple of vegetarian pizzas that were so filling that despite it being yummy, we struggled to finish it. Suleman wanted us to stay longer, but we had to start early next morning. We took some more photos and took leave. Our young Sudanese friend was very happy and satisfied that we had kept our word to visit him and eat there. You have such a big heart. A big thank you my friend!
We returned to the cabin, had a good chat over a cuppa and went to bed.
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