The Rocket and I are back on the road, continuing my journey of discovery and recovery. This time whilst Travelling Australia Mick’s Way I will be heading inland and will be mixing it up a bit – there will be lots of photos, but I am also going to do some filming, I have some presentations to do along the way at some hospitals, there will be friends to catch up with and no doubt lots of locals to meet.
A little trip to Byron Bay and back over Easter was a great little prelude to getting back on the road. Bluesfest was lots of fun, great music and a great vibe.
Last week I left Sydney and headed west, over the mountains and on towards Bathurst. Heading up into the mountains it was foggy, cold and wet. I couldn’t see much and had to pull off the road a few times because visibility was so low, the Rocket and I were in survival mode. Eventually we made it and popped out into the golden colours of the dry grasses and plains on the other side.
There weren’t many cars on the road, but there were a few weird and wonderful animals as well as wild goats on the road and roadside.
The Rocket seemed to go into autopilot like she was on a mission and when I reached Bathurst, I worked out why….
200kms from Sydney, Bathurst sits in the central table lands of NSW and is home to the famous Mount Panorama motor racing circuit which is a public road when not used for racing. I must admit I was busting to do a few laps around the circuit.
Top speed on the straight……….78 km / hour
“Winners are Grinners”
A little rest was in order after all that racing, there are so many beautiful wide tree lined streets in Bathurst.
As the sun set after my first day on the road, I contemplated how grateful I am to still be on my journey of discovery and recovery, and Travelling Australia Mick’s Way
Next stop Orange, the birth place of Banjo Paterson, about 50 kms down the road from Bathurst.
I stayed with friends Glen, Marta, Dash and Kinga and was so lucky to be on the receiving end of some good old country hospitality.
The kids were intrigued with the Rocket
It was great to meet the medical team at the Orange Hospital and to give a presentation and share my insights into Cancer: a patients perspective and survivorship.
My next stop was Dubbo about 145kms from Orange, where the Newell, Mitchell and Golden Highways meet. Dubbo is famous for its open range Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Your entry fee gets you 2 days consecutive admission, there is so much to see and do – keeper talks, animal encounters, a really special experience.
All the animals loved my rendition of “In the Jungle” on the uke.
I had a standing ovation
And the crowd roared
I so excited that I am officially in outback NSW.
I’ve had a few road trains to contend with……
But made it through safely
I am heading to Broken Hill
I will be in Broken Hill for a few weeks so if you are up this way please get in touch.
The daylight is dying
Away in the west,
The wild birds are flying
In silence to rest;
In leafage and frondage
Where shadows are deep,
They pass to its bondage —
The kingdom of sleep.
And watched in their sleeping
By stars in the height,
They rest in your keeping,
Oh, wonderful night.
Banjo Paterson
Enjoy the journey
Mick
