The Crossing Into New South Wales
A Border, A Bed, And Deb
Day 88 crossed from Victoria into New South Wales, drew strong Albury-Wodonga media and supporter attention, and ended early at Quest Albury on Townsend after illness, fatigue, and a very well-timed donated apartment made rest the sensible choice.
Day 88 was a border day, but it was also a body-management day.
I had planned to push on for the usual sort of distance, but I was starting to feel like a cold was coming. As the day went on, I felt steadily worse. By the time we reached Albury, the decision became obvious: walk to the hotel, call it a day, and take the rest that was sitting right there waiting for us.
Before that, there was a lot packed in. Barnawartha gave us the sort of roadside silliness I was easily amused by. The SPOT tracker was out of action. Media interest gathered around Albury-Wodonga. The Border Mail, WIN News Albury and Prime7 News Border all came into the day, and Prime7 were there as we crossed from Victoria into New South Wales.
That was our third state border.
The local support was extraordinary. Deb had been working away in the background, pulling together accommodation, food, media interest and practical help. Quest Albury on Townsend donated a two-bedroom apartment. Miss Naked Cakes donated cupcakes. Henri’s Bakery Wodonga donated bread, rolls and sweet scrolls, and Kerin made a personal donation to the Heart Foundation.
Then Deb walked with me from Victoria into New South Wales, and later brought a family roast dinner to the hotel.
After a day of feeling increasingly unwell, that combination of a hot shower, a warm room, a proper bed and a family dinner was exactly what I needed.