A Slow Morning in the Bush
I woke up around 7:30. Though I had woken a few times during the night, that was when I truly got up. There was no rush to leave. The campsite was deep in the bush, quiet with almost no people or cars passing by, so I could take my time packing up and preparing for the day.
My destination was Berowra, about 40–50 kilometers away. It wasn’t an extreme distance, but with a trailer hitched to my bicycle, the effort feels doubled compared to riding without it. I estimated it would take as much energy as an 80–90 kilometer ride. So I aimed to leave around 9 a.m. to give myself enough time.
A Surprising Encounter with a Spider
Just as I was about to set off, I spotted something I had been hoping to find—a Golden Orb-Weaver spider. Its bright, neon green coloring gave it a dangerous look, but I later learned the bite causes nothing more than swelling. The unusual colors are part of its camouflage. Oddly enough, I found it beautiful. Meeting such a creature made the morning feel special.
Riding Through Sydney’s Outskirts
As I rode further, I realized how close I still was to Sydney. The roads were crowded, with constant ups and downs. I had to stay focused, watching both pedestrians and traffic, which quickly drained my energy.
I stopped at an OTR convenience store to replace a water bottle I had lost in Sydney. With that sorted, I continued until I reached Woolworths, where I finally managed to buy some food. Up until then, I had almost nothing left to eat, so being able to restock was a relief.
From there, Newcastle was still 140 kilometers away, but my target was closer—Hornsby.
Meeting Strangers on the Climb
The road to Hornsby involved a steep climb. Along the way, I met an elderly man with a white beard, perhaps in his 80s. He stopped to chat and told me how he had traveled years ago. With a cheerful smile, he encouraged me to keep going. His words carried warmth and strength, just the push I needed to finish the climb.
Later, as I headed toward Berowra, I met another man walking his dog. He mentioned a rest area further ahead. For a moment, I thought it would be the perfect place to camp. But when I arrived, I realized it was meant for trucks, not tents. With the time already close to 4:30 p.m., I decided I needed to keep moving.
Finding the Perfect Campsite
Not long after, I came across an unexpected campsite. It was quiet, hidden, and had a stunning cliffside view just a short distance away. I decided to stay there for the night.
The only concern was that it was close to some power poles, which meant workers might arrive in the morning. So I planned an early departure. Still, as I looked out toward the cliff, I felt grateful. Tomorrow, I want to take a moment to enjoy the view before moving on—a memory to carry forward in my journey.
