Morning in the Forest
I woke at 7 a.m. in the forest of Termeil. The sound of birds and the soft light filtering through the trees made the morning feel calm and gentle, as if I were being held in nature’s arms. My destination was Ulladulla, a short ride with no major climbs on the map. I set off with a light heart, and the long, unexpected downhill stretches quickly carried me forward.
A Pause by the Lake
My first stop was Lake Tabourie. A small convenience store stood by the lakeside, and to my relief, there was also a place to charge my devices. On a journey of wild camping, the question of “when will I next find electricity?” is always in the back of my mind. Being able to recharge here brought a deep sense of security.
Ride South Coast and a Kind Offer
Entering Ulladulla, I was greeted by a series of steep hills. Each corner revealed another climb or descent, and I laughed to myself, “So this is today’s test.”
One of my goals in this town was to visit Ride South Coast, a bike shop recommended to me back in Melbourne. Inside, the owner, Mick, welcomed me warmly, and we soon struck up a conversation. Before long, he leaned in and told me, “Wombat can host you tonight.” With rain in the forecast, this news felt like a true blessing.
Famous Pies and Walking the Town
Mick guided me to a local pie shop known across the region. Behind the counter sat nearly thirty varieties of pies, each more tempting than the last. I chose a pumpkin pie—its comforting sweetness was exactly what I needed after the ride.
Later, I wandered through Ulladulla. It is a fishing and tourist port town on the South Coast, marked by its dramatic hills and endless views of the sea. At a café, I spotted a bicycle loaded with belongings like mine. To my surprise, it belonged not to a traveler, but to a man living without a home. His creative way of arranging and carrying his belongings reminded me that the wisdom to survive often overlaps with the lessons of travel.
Choosing to Carry Flowers
As I walked, a new thought grew stronger within me: I wanted to travel with flowers again. At Woolworths, I bought a small potted plant. The challenge, of course, was how to transport it. A bicycle is always in motion, the soil and water at risk of spilling. Still, that purchase marked the beginning of a new challenge—continuing the journey while nurturing a living flower.
A New Friend’s Home
In the evening, Wombat came to meet me. On the way, we stopped at a restaurant, where he kindly treated me to a warm meal—a gift beyond measure after days of simple food. When we arrived at his home, he offered me a spacious room and said, “Use it as you like.” The relief of having such a safe, welcoming space in the middle of a long journey was immense.
