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Published: February 3rd 2014
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Since we left home some time in early March, we have traveled far over the autumn/winter, enjoying a warmer winter in Queensland. Its now September, and after six months of much loved travelling, we continue the journey south, to our home town in Far North New South Wales. Perspective on escaping to a warmer winter is seemingly relative, one relative of mine, my niece Melanie, who endures the harsh cold windy wet winters of Melbourne, wondered why we, who live on the Far North Coast of NSW, should need to go north to escape the chills of 'old man winter', I replied to Mel, it would be like a Taswegian wondering why a Melbournian would need to go north in winter, the truth is simple, we just need to follow the birds. Many antipodean birds regardless of their winter disposition, head north for the winter, and so us humans are caught in the same solar dilemma, the sun is warmer on the other side of the state territorial fence, or so it would seem.
Spring has sprung and its time to pack up the Freedom Machine and continue our journey south on Highway One retracing our Autumn/ winter tyre tracks.
It is fitting that Uncle Jack and Lyndal who shared our final main camp at Tin Can Bay, also shared night one, which began many moons ago with a March night at Ballina. So the final leg of our journey home begins, we drove the many ks; south to arrive at Yandina Rest Area, just in time for the saturday markets at Yandina Oval, and one of the best farmer markets we have ever encountered at the nearby Big Pineapple, just south of Nambour. We really love to check out the home grown, hand made goodies and who knows whats been laying around in a rusty old shed for years. The recycled bric a brac, flotsam and jetsam are usually first class at the Yandina Markets. Well worth a 'Looksee"
After market we headed straight for one of our favourite camps at Coochin Creek near Caloundra, for a few days of bush/river camping, and then over Brisbanes Gateway Bridge, cross the Qld/NSW border and how good is it to see the mountains and the familiar skyline and feel of home. It truly is a wonderful feeling to be reunited with the shire. Its a bit like Frodo Baggins and
Samwise Gamgee re-entering the cornfields. I am sure many long distance voyagers have a similar experience when they return to the familiar vistas of their homelands. To Make the last day special of our six month odyssey, we slept the night at Brunswick Heads reserve, Rising early to greet the first sun, we had a short drive to Byron Bay. To chill out in Byron after our epic sojourn was just the ticket to enjoy our last day of freedom. A cruisy stroll around the Byron markets, relax with max on Main Beach headland, watch the long time sun go down over Mount Warning, a perfect day to finish what has been a truly wonderful amazing 6 months of roadtrip. We hope you have all enjoyed reading about our winter travels as much as we have had writing and photographing them.
Next morning we climb back into the Freedom Machine, reluctantly turn the key for the last time on this trip and do the familiar "run" from Byron Bay to Home. Left hand indicator activated, turn into our rear lane entrance to home, flashes of good memories of the past six months on the road, bring a collective sigh
of wonderment. We open the big brush gates to our fortress, Bip the horn to announce our long awaited return, shut down faithful engine, thank St Christopher (the patron saint of long distance travellers) for our safe return, it is finished. We greet the welcoming family and sit back on our balcony to tell wondrous tales of our winter travels.
Littleflower and Morningbird are finally home, we have unpacked the Freedom Machine and moved into our newly renovated and appointed deluxe cave for Spring/Summer. As good as it is to be home, the gaze is often set over the distant mountains, the dreaming mind is frequently found in far away places, thinking of next March when we get to do it all over again. How much we long to "hit the road" follow the birds and head north to catch the winter sun.
Until then, much appreciated followers of our travels, we wish you all the absolute very best. In closing Blog 2013, we would delight in sharing a wisdom from the 13th century Afghani sage Rumy.
"Eat lightly, Breathe deeply, Move freely and Gaze Raptly".
Follow this wisdom and we would all be better people doing what we do best, and that is to enjoy our given days with much passion, knowing we are all sharing this beautiful blue green rock hurtling through space, we all call home.
"Toodlepip and Cheery bye, Love and respect to all living things.
Morningbird and Littleflower
Remember to Gaze raptly!
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