A Rest Day in Middlesex
On March 13, I stayed at the renovation house in Middlesex. It was a day to rest, though my host invited me to join them on errands, including a visit to a place where food could be purchased at a low cost.
Before that, we stopped at a hardware store to pick up supplies for ongoing renovations. There, I finally found something I had been wanting for a long time: Gorilla Tape. I had already experienced how strong and reliable it could be, and I had promised myself I would buy it one day. The price was about 30 AUD—more than I expected—but for a long journey like this, it’s worth it. It can fix bikes, gear, or countless small problems along the way.
Discovering the Food Bank
After the hardware store, we headed to a place called Food Bank. My host explained that it is a charity organization that provides food for those facing shortages.
For under 10 AUD, we managed to get a good amount of supplies. It was incredibly affordable. Still, I couldn’t help but think about the purpose of the Food Bank. It exists to support people in real financial hardship. I am not in that category, and while it was valuable to experience what the system is like, I decided I shouldn’t rely on it in the future.
Travel often brings moments when you can’t access food, so learning about these local safety nets was eye-opening. But I want to save such resources for those who truly need them.
Simple Meals, Simple Gratitude
Back at the house, I prepared some of the bread from Food Bank. Even something as basic as bread feels like essential fuel for the road ahead.
In the evening, we made a simple but filling meal: a round flatbread, almost like naan, with tomato ketchup spread across it, folded and eaten warm. It wasn’t elaborate, but it was satisfying.
Today’s activities were minimal compared to other days, but the chance to learn about local systems and community resources made it meaningful. A rest day doesn’t mean the journey stops—it simply shifts the focus from cycling to learning, from motion to reflection.
