The CrossingThe Central Coast
Wet, Grey, And Awesome!
Rain and hills followed me from Calga towards the Central Coast before the weather finally brightened. Deb solved our Sydney accommodation problem, and Bob Sheldon joined me for the final five kilometres into the Kiar and Wyee area.
Just after 5am I was looking at the route from Calga towards Kiar and Wyee and asking myself the obvious question: was it that time already? It felt as though I had only just fallen asleep.
It was wet too.
Not long after starting, I stopped in the wooded hills to record a few words as I headed towards the Central Coast and beyond. It was wet, green, and properly beautiful. I am glad I stopped to capture it.
By mid-morning I was suffering from hills and wet grey weather. The signs moved through Gosford, Wyoming, Lisarow and Ourimbah, and eventually, touch wood, the sky started to brighten.
In Ourimbah, a bloke in an orange ute called across the street to ask where I was heading and where he could find me online. I gave him a quick shout-out in the hope that he would find the page. Hopefully he did.
At the same time, I had a practical problem to sort out. We were due back in Sydney for Friday and Saturday night, but still did not have anywhere to stay. I thought someone might have offered us a unit, but my brain was a bit fried and I could not find the message.
By the time I reached the campervan for my last break, I found out that the problem had been solved.
Deb had discovered that we still had nowhere arranged. After everything she had already done for us in Albury-Wodonga, she took a recommendation from Wendy Mathews at the WA Heart Foundation and contacted a Sydney hotel that supported the Heart Foundation.
The Sydney Boulevard Hotel donated two rooms for two nights, right in the heart of the city.
It was another mind-blown moment of gratitude. Deb was back in Albury sending emails and making phone calls, Wendy had provided the connection, and a hotel in Sydney had given the three HAAmigos somewhere to stay.
For my final session, long-standing Facebook friend Bob Sheldon, from Bonsai fit, joined me for five kilometres.
Bob and I had connected through a monthly gifting thing run by another Facebook page. I received my first batch of High 5 products and Bob got a couple of No More Mr Fat Guy items. It was strange to think that we would end up walking five kilometres together while I was crossing Australia on foot, but there we were.
It had been a tough day in terms of weather and hills, but there had also been some wonderful views, amazing generosity, and Bob beside me for the finish.
Another 50 of your finest kilometres locked away.
Videos From The Day
I Loved This Bit
A stop in the wet, wooded hills on the way towards the Central Coast. I was very glad I stopped to capture this part of the walk.
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