Sunday 15 December 2024: Visiting friends in Canberra and drive to Bungendore
Shekhar and I got up early as we are so used to it. Just like any other parent of growing up teenagers in Australia, Rishi had to drop off the boys to a game of cricket that they were playing in. We took a couple of photos with them and said bye to them because we would leave before the boys finished the game and got back home. We got ready and had a healthy breakfast specially prepared by Anju Ji. Rishi Khanna and his entire family, thank you so much for such a generous hospitality and for your support for the walk.
Shortly after we took leave and drove to Vishwa and Anitha’s place. We had brunch with soft drinks and fresh fruit. Again it was great to catch up with them after a long gap. Vishwa bhayia had come to the fundraising function at Goulburn last year but we hadn’t seen Anitha Ji for a few years. Their daughter Adhia had suddenly shot up over the last 12 months. She was pretty tall for her age. It was good to meet Vishwa’s sister and her child as well.
We drove to Bungendore and checked into the caravan park at the showgrounds. Subsequently, we drove back to town to do some advance walking for the next day. We walked about 7 kms to Lake Bathurst and called it a day. I prayed to Mother Earth and thanked her for the opportunity to walk upon her. We drove back to the caravan park, had dinner followed by a shower and went to sleep.
Monday 16 December 2024: Bungendore to Tarago
Shekhar and I got ready and drove to Lake Bathurst. I got off, touched my forehead to the ground to pay my respect to Mother Earth and commenced the walk towards Tarago. The weather was hot, sunny and muggy. I was sweating like a pig and going through lots of drinking water. As we got closer to Tarago, there was a sign indicating Roadwork ahead. I am not allowed to walk through the roadwork area. I got into the van and felt comfortable with the air-conditioner going. Once we finished driving through the roadwork, I got off and continued the walk until we arrived at our destination for the day.
After arriving at Tarago, we went into the newly opened Café on the corner Tarago Road and Braidwood Road. Shekhar and I ordered some food with coffee. We told the owners and some customers who we were and what we were doing. They were happy to cheer us on.
As there is no caravan park at Tarago, the designated parking place to stay overnight is opposite the café. This place provides 24 hours access to drinking water and toilets but no shower. You must walk through the fields to reach the toilet block. However, it was better than nothing. When you travel like we currently do through wilderness and outback, you must learn to compromise and survive.
While it was hot, I was exhausted after the walk and wanted to rest. We left the backdoor open for cross ventilation to keep the temperature bearable inside the van. Soon I fell asleep. Around 4:00 PM, I was woken up by a knock on the open sliding door on the side of the van, the lady owner of the café had come over with several coloured icy poles that would help us keep cool. What a nice gesture! Thank you so much to the café owner.
When the temperature began to cool down, we started our advance walking for the next day. We set off from Tarago towards Tirrannaville. After covering around 8 Kms, we called it a day and drove back to Tarago. We had dinner in the van, put the little fans on, and went to sleep.
Tuesday 17 December 2024: Tarago to Tirrannaville
After using the toilet, I sponge washed myself to the best of my abilities and returned to the van to get ready. The term getting ready is not just getting dressed but also applying various liquid medicines and creams to prevent or minimise blisters or any other issues. And that takes time. You also need to put on the protective gear and clothing. Make sure the radios are charged, the drink bottle is filled up, and protein bar(s) in your pocket. All this is a daily routine to getting ready. After I got back, Shekhar went to get ready.
I touched my forehead to the ground to seek permission and blessings from Mother Earth. It was another hot day with a lot of humidity which meant lots of sweating, and a very tiring walk. Anyway, after a couple of breaks, we reached Tirrannaville. We called it a day and drove to Goulburn South Caravan Park to stay the night. Usually, we would have gone straight to our young friend Vishal’s house in Goulburn. But the solar batteries in the van had gone down to around 20 percent. We had to manually connect the van to electric supply and charge them. The manager at the caravan park was very supportive of the walk and allocated a powered site for us to park the van. Shekhar hooked up the van to start charging.
The amenities close to us were full of bugs that is a common issue around this time of the year. We had to walk to the other side where the amenities were clean and no bugs. We had dinner in the van and went to sleep.
Wednesday 18 December 2024: Tirrannaville to Goulburn
After Shekhar and I got ready, we drove from Goulburn to Tirrannaville to start this morning’s walk. I paid my respect to Mother Earth and commenced the walk. Around three hours later, we walked into Goulburn. I had been experiencing some discomfort on my right foot and a blister on my left foot. We drove to the Emergency Department at the Goulburn Base Hospital. We had to wait a few hours before one of doctors was able to see us. But it was worth the wait. My feet were placed in a tub of warm water to get them softened up. The doctor carefully removed the dead skin from the smallest toe on my right foot. He then told the nurses what to do to fix the toe blister on my left foot. After both feet were done, I felt comfortable and ready for a walk.
I had already called Vishal Oberoi and advised him that we would be coming over to his house soon. I had to get a hair cut because I sleep better with short hair and I hadn’t had a hair cut since we left Melbourne more than six weeks ago. We then drove to the Information Centre and met with officials with a request to correct the dates of our visit on their website. Jason from the department was pleased to meet with us and he was happy to oblige.
We then drove to Vishal’s house where he had been waiting for us to have lunch. Subsequently, I had a shower and went to have some rest. Vishal’s wife Mani was at work. Vishal made some tea with snacks. Guru, their son is quite entertaining. He is such a cute baby. May God bless them all.
I started working to catch up on my blogs. I had fallen behind because of lack of time and internet issues. Mani made rotis and prepared a typical Punjabi dinner. Thank you so much Mani and Vishal for your generous hospitality. We all slept well thereafter.
Thursday 19 December 2024: Rest Day at Goulburn
We had a lazy start because we had a rest day today. I got up and started working on my blogs, made some calls, sent SMS and WhatsApp messages that were necessary to promote the walk and raise awareness and funds for the McGrath Foundation. Instead of having breakfast, we had brunch mid morning. Late Afternoon, we had some fruit followed by a cuppa with snacks. Mani prepared Punjabi dinner that was delicious. We kept talking and waiting for Vishal to come home from the Café. He came after 10:30 PM and we started chit chatting. But I was absolutely drained by then, so I went to bed.
Friday 20 December 2024: Special Day at Goulburn
Shekhar and I got ready, had breakfast at Vishal’s house. About 10:10 AM, we drove to the Council Office. Originally, we had an appointment to meet with the Mayor and the CEO. A couple of days earlier, we were advised that due to change in circumstances, the Mayor was no longer available. However, we would meet the Deputy Mayor, select Councillors and the Acting CEO.
Shekhar and I walked into the Council Offices to a warm welcome by Amy Croker, Office Manager to Mayor and CEO. We were honoured to meet Deputy Mayor Caitlin Flint along with Acting Chief Executive Officer Scott Martin. We shared some experiences from the walk over a cup of tea. Scott was hopeful that I would walk one more time. I jokingly responded that only if he would join me on the walk from the MCG. We took some photos with the van to mark the occasion. We wished them a merry Christmas and a very happy new year.
We drove to Vishal’s café (Café 5911) for an informal get together with well-wishers and supporters of the walk. Our friend Tony Lamara, ex Mayor of Goulburn Mulwaree Council had already been waiting for us outside the Café. We took some photos and went inside for a cuppa. Bob Flanagan, a long-time friend of Vishal and a die-hard supporter of the Café and the McGrath Foundation was also there. Other supporters of the walk also joined us. Tony Lamara has a wealth of knowledge about the history of Australia and arrival of immigrants from different backgrounds. It was a pleasure listening to him. Tony invited us to have dinner with him at the Workers Club like last year.
After the function, I was going to sit in the small function room at the Café and work on my blogs. Bob invited us to sit in the front veranda at his place and do the work. We took up the offer and set up the laptop. Bob’s wife Wendy made us a cuppa and brought out some home-made shortbread and cookies. These were all yummy. While I worked on the laptop, Bob took Shekhar around to show his workshop where Bob makes all sorts of decorative pieces of wood. Vishal arrived at Bob’s place and asked if I needed to get some rest before doing the advance walk later that evening. We certainly agreed with Vishal.
Shekhar and I drove to Vishal’s place and I went straight to bed. After an hour’s rest, we drove to the start of the road to Bungonia. I got off, touched my forehead to the ground and started the walk. We covered around 8 Kms and returned to Café 5911.
We parked our van there and got into Vishal’s car and drove to the Workers Club. Tony Lamara had been waiting for us outside the Club. He welcomed us to the club, of which he has been a member for a long time. We had to provide an ID before being admitted as guests of Tony. A major issue at this place is that your choice of vegetarian food is limited to chips or potato nuggets or salad. However, the focus was not food or dinner but having a meaningful conversation with Tony and learn from his vast experience. We enjoyed the evening in the company of Tony and Vishal. Tony made a cash donation, and we took some photos. We thanked Tony Lamara for his generous hospitality and the donation to the McGrath Foundation. A big thank you Tony!
Vishal drove back to the Café, we switched to our van and drove to Vishal’s house. After the walk in the hot sun, I didn’t get to rest. Thus, I was very tired to say the least. But at the same time, this was our last evening at Goulburn, so it was our last chance to have a bit of chit chat with Vishal and his family. We stayed up until 11:30 PM which was very late for my routine during the walk.
Saturday 21 December 2024: Goulburn to Bungonia
Shekhar and I got ready, I got into the van to put my protective gear and clothing on. When we were ready to leave, I called up Vishal on his mobile, I felt sorry because the poor guy was fast asleep. He came to the front door to wish us a safe and successful journey. Shekhar and I drove towards Bungonia and we stopped when we reached the starting point. After we started the walk, I shared the video on YouTube as it had become our daily routine.
We had a couple of breaks for a quick bite and a powernap. After lunch time, we reached Bungonia, a small town with a volunteer fire brigade and perhaps a small general store. There was no place to stay overnight in this town. We drove 8 kms to the Bungonia National Park (BNP) where we had already booked a camping site. The road to the BNP was a narrow, winding and partly unsealed. The park is a dense forest with lots of kangaroos and other wild animals. The kitchen and dining areas were spotless clean. The toilet and shower facilities were admirable for this forest setting. These facilities were a testament of high-quality workmanship at installation and equally good maintenance by patrons under the watchful eyes of the Ranger. I would highly recommend the BNP to anyone contemplating to explore mother nature. Shekhar and I had dinner in the van and went to sleep.
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