A Morning with Sheep
I woke to a rustling sound outside my tent. At first, I thought someone was knocking, but when I stepped out, a sheep stood there, calmly staring at me.
A local explained it was allowed to roam freely. Watching it wander across the wide green lawn, I felt the tension of travel gently ease away.
Detour to Beech Forest and the Waterfall
On the way to Apollo Bay, I passed through a small community called Beech Forest. The road split in two, and I chose the right-hand path. It was a series of steep climbs and descents, but I had heard there was a waterfall ahead, and that gave my legs strength.
I left my bike and followed a narrow path between the trees. The sound of water grew louder until I reached it: a waterfall, quietly falling.
No flashy signs, no crowd of tourists—just water flowing as it always had. Its beauty lay in its quiet presence, strong without being loud.
Arrival in Apollo Bay and a Painted Sky
After climbing a few more hills, the road opened wide. Apollo Bay came into view, a coastal town famous for its scenery along the Great Ocean Road.
I checked into a caravan park, my phone and camera nearly out of power. Once I had charged them, done some laundry, and sorted food, I walked to the beach.
There, the sky unfolded in colors I could hardly believe: soft purple, red, yellow, green, and the deep blue of the ocean. It looked as if a rainbow had been drawn flat across the horizon. No photo could ever capture it.
A Small Gesture, a Simple Meal
On the way back from the sea, a woman sitting on a bench handed me a bag and said, “I don’t eat marshmallows—please, have some.” That single sentence and sweet gift warmed me.
That night, I cooked spaghetti. Without a recipe, relying only on instinct, it turned into a failure—soft, clumpy, and tasteless. I laughed at myself while eating it.
Under a Sky Full of Stars
Later, the night sky erased the fatigue of the hills and the failure of dinner. A sea of stars stretched above Apollo Bay, reminding me again that every day on the road ends with something beautiful.
