In Townsville, there is a lot of crime. As someone who is not native to Townsville, I found the community to be quite divided and difficult to integrate/find common ground with. I know this is not an unpopular opinion.

I’m very sensitive and sensitive to fear mongering. Give me a reason to be paranoid and the walls will go way up.

Something I’m learning along my way down the coast, is that people aren’t out to get you. It seems so silly to even have to have this revelation, but here we are.

Small towns particularly, people want to say hello and have a chat. So many people want to chat to me about the Jimny. It’s such a talking point and the bed is peculiar – but sometimes I get paranoid about explaining my set up. Each time I talk to a stranger, I am testing out my threat detection system. So far, so good.

I cooked breakfast at this lighthouse and had a chat to a local about the car, then another local pulled up and informed me there are hot showers down at the surf club. Love that!
I’ve come across older nomads who impart wisdom upon me.

I passed through this town called Bodalla – it was an unassuming town, but it was home to the coolest shop!

At first, I thought it might be a tacky shop with imported hippy paraphernalia, but I was really pleasantly surprised.

Aside from the awesome music playing in store, there are racks and racks of lovingly hand tie-dyed clothes – tops, jumpers, dungarees – you name it. There are crocheted items, so many accessories, funky sunglasses, jewelry, and my personal favorite – stickers!!!

I got myself a t shirt and when I return to the mainland next year I will be back to Bodalla.

I told the owner I was heading for Merimbula and had no time restraints – he suggested I follow the coast and head down to Blue Pool.

Bermagui is a beautiful little spot but it was a super windy day so I sought shelter in the car.

The Blue Pool was absolutely stunning, but it was so windy! I thought I would get blown away. I was actually a bit worried my phone would be pulled out of my grips haha.

There were a couple of people swimming, which would have been amazing if not for the wind.

I arrived in Merimbula in the afternoon and stayed in the car to shelter from the wind. I was stoked to be in Merimbula – I’d had a really good feeling about it. If it’s good enough for Alf Stewart’s wife then Strewth! It’s good enough for me.

The town feels like a holiday destination and I found it quite accommodating for overnight parking. There were some other van dwellers in the area I was in. There were heaps of Victorian number plates about, which made me feel better about having an interstate plate. It seems a lot of people were making a long weekend out of the Melbourne Nup (to the cup) PB.

In the morning, it was overcast but warm. I had a really good feeling about the place and went into the information centre where I picked up a map and perused the local attractions. The last few days I’ve been hopping from town to town quite quickly and I was really happy to get a proper feel for the place.

I drove around to the beach, the sun came out and my mood lifted. It’s interesting for me to see how the weather affects my inner equilibrium. I know the general consensus is that people are what matters, not the place. But I really struggle to enjoy my company if I’m freezing. I can’t focus on anything else. I guess I would rather be completely comfortable and alone, than incredibly uncomfortable and with company, because I can’t enjoy it.

I really really liked Merimbula and I think it’s somewhere I’d like to come back to. I mean, I’m saying that about most of the places along the coast, so I’m going to have to weigh up climate/happiness baseline for each prospect.

I crossed the border into Victoria. It was really unceremonious and the highway was very boring. Onset of Luteal phase.

I was low on water and low on supplies. Add in the estrogen drop and we don’t have a good combination – short fuse, doom and gloom.

I stopped at Gipsy Point – it was underwhelming – then drove over to Cape Conran and stopped for a bite to eat (cup of cacao and noodles). Marlo was a cute town. There were quite a few people about and a kind fellow saw me attempting to fill my water carrier from a water bubbler and recommended where I could find a tap.

I drove on, to Lakes Entrance and found a place to stay the night – the Recreation Reserve and Campground. I was super lucky to secure a site for off the peak rate.

Lakes Entrance is a really sweet town. Really idyllic.

I was really happy to have the opportunity to explore the Eastern corner of Victoria – it was always too far to travel when I lived here and it’s not somewhere I would just go for a holiday. It really has everything you need, but I don’t like the remoteness.

The coastal towns in NSW had me feeling spoilt – homegrown, big country town vibe, with all the convenience you could need. Back in country Vic, we’ve got the remote/inconvenience I associate regional Tas with. Here I was thinking living regional might not be so bad, but who am I kidding… The coast isn’t remote. Inland NSW/QLD is.

I stopped by an op shop and this gorgeous scarf grabbed my attention. I also picked up ‘Do You Come Here Often?’ by Alexandra Potter. I really enjoyed another book of hers so I was excited to add this to my little library. I am trying to read enjoyable work, rather than just educational content.

Firstly, I had my mind set on Wilsons Promontory – I went there years ago and really enjoyed it – but the travel time to Wilsons Prom would be the same as the travel time to Melbourne. I figured the scenes would be similar to every other stop along the coast and I hedged my bets.

Next idea was maybe I could head to Phillip Island. I haven’t been there before and it’s a little closer to Melbs. I found this place called Agnes Falls en route and headed there.

The drive was precarious and I felt a little paranoid about the car behind me, but once I arrived there were other tourists at the spot.

I hate to be pompous, but if I’d known this was what I was in for I would have given it a miss. I know I am absolutely spoilt from the waterfalls up north.

Oh! and I forgot to mention.

I left my shoes in Merimbula!!! I have been so used to wandering around without shoes, that I didn’t even notice I left them behind until I went to get them to walk down the track.

I ended up settling in Lang Lang – at the showground. I arrived quite late and the caretaker wasn’t there. It felt a bit sketchy because it’s an open to the public place in a town I’m not familiar with and no caretaker on site.

This was my last stop, the next day I headed in for Melbourne. I was excited to have some time out to rest, but honestly I’m feeling a bit at a loss. I’m staying at my friend’s place in the city and on the days I wake up and it’s overcast, I feel locked in. I don’t really want to go for a drive but I also don’t want to go into town. I just want to curl up and do nothing at all. I could easily put this down to the weather etc, but I am reminding myself it is Luteal and once I start bleeding, I will be back to being inspired by the city.

It’s one of my favourite places and it’s literally my dream to be living so close to the city.

It’s bad timing, but I’m glad I will be getting over it in the beginning so I can make plans next week and the fun shall begin.

While undiagnosed, I obviously have PMDD and it really messes with me. I’ve been trying to honour where my body is at and on the days when I feel no hope at all, I’ve been finding joy in watching The Office. Little things. As a reforming people pleaser, I really struggle to be around my friends when I am in my luteal phase as I have absolutely no motivation to do anything at all, which is completely opposite from my usual demeanor (which I recently found out is manic – another symptom of PMDD) and feel like a sloth. But C’est la vie, it’s one week a month.

We need to be aware of what’s happening in our bodies.

xx