We didn’t even take our shoes off as we trampled through his lounge, sitting or dining room, not sure. His bed and bath rooms were some distance away.
He sat back in his wheelchair seemingly unperturbed by our presence as he ate his damper in his solar home, which did not preclude any of the Darling (or it’s original name – Baaka which may soon make a welcome comeback) River view.
He travelled to his take-away home by car (Holden). As a paraplegic he got out of bed (back seat), by hauling himself out through pulling a rope attached to a contraption on his roof, while his lounge chair came from the boot. We had a chat about his damper cooking expertise and left him by his fire. On the way back, determined not to invade once more, we took a wide birth, but would you know it, he was in his bathroom and for a moment we were too.
From fully dirt to fully bitumen it seemed so slow at 110 but we weren’t in any hurry as we pulled up at the only fuel (food and gas) place on our 200km journey. This had replaced our river stop because there weren’t any and it gave us a chance to have an unusual walk across this dry red dirt. We ate at this gas station, served by a young woman from Spain. Corrie was soon back in Europe conversing in Spanish with this adventurous ‘extreme sport athlete’ who loves to write. She now wants to write a blog as I do – ‘a safer sport’.
We are now in Broken Hill and continue to experience a genuine warmth and friendliness from everyone. With washing being done at our motel, it was a walk through a park with a hill and then around town and back to Donna’s motel, and besides the free washing, a drop in price because she liked Corrie. We had a huge room – the sort of place I could stay for a week but it will certainly be two nights, while wondering how many nights it will be for our lively wheelchair friend and where to next for him.
Resiience – it invites exploration
A word that sounds so strong and self-assured,
It doesn’t like the feeling of frustration
And can’t abide the fact of getting bored.
It’s waiting for the worst that life can bring
Prepared by misadventures of the past,
Knowing that there’s time to cry then sing
And making hay right now cause it won’t last.
Then when it comes you’re ready for the action
You’re made for this because you’re very tough,
An independent noun you have no faction
You feel at home when life is very rough.
Resilience – it’s often hard to find,
A sturdy heart, a strong, creative mind.
It was a pleasure to met both of you! You have been very inspired to myself . You are an example to follow,it is the reason because I am gonna follow you. I was thinking about the “duende moments” and I would like more information about it. I didn’t check what it is mean it for you .I guess that it is like Shooting Star people who pass thought your way for a short time but you can see that they are shinning like both of you. Namaste 🙏
Thank you Gemma, it was lovely to chat with you for that short bit of time. I maybe use this wonderful word of yours too loosely at times, and we are both aware of how it has more meaning in your countries wonderful Flamenco Dance. I love your shooting star analogy, as we see it as something like that – when there is a momentary feeling of great magnitude that you can’t fully explain and as soon as you introduce the thought process it’s gone. In my simple terms it happens when Corrie and I are (to use a walking metaphor) in step with each other; when out of nowhere we click within that short period of time with someone like you (absurdly a Spanish person working in an isolated truck stop. It happens when I feel like hugging my wife for a reason I can’t explain, or become excited at a particular line of poetry that I have written. It happens when I can’t walk and then walk 20 difficult kilometres. As you know it is a word really without definition and I am trying to define it. The most important thing for me about the word is that why I can’t define it, it helps me to define parts of my world. Feel free to use my email Gemma cause we are very much interested in your journey too in your ‘extreme sports world’ and your intriguing writing.
We are loving this journey look forward to the next day of adventures
Great to hear from you Robyn, we’re staying in Broken Hill for a couple of days – off to Silverton for a look around today
Hi Will & Corrie,
Sorry we joined you late! Amazing adventure so far, beautiful photographs of our wonderful country and meaningful poetry…
Your journey through the Outback is enlightening and inspiring, THANK YOU!🤗
Looking forward to tomorrow’s entry….
Blessings to you both,
Suzanne & Phil
By the way, do you sing any songs on the way?
Really happy to have you both with us Suzanne along with your encouraging comments.
We haven’t been big singers although we enjoy it, but I recently bought Alex Kerten’s book – ‘Goodbye Parkinsons, Hello Life’ so we mostly listen to music in the car, sing along whether we know the words or not. So it helps with removing the PD blank look while creating more natural expression through exaggeration. I also conduct orchestras as well, especially the more vibrant operas using one hand while driving especially when there are no cars. Thanks for the question Suzanne, I’ll do more now, and when walking.