Canberra - Wollongong

To be free to tour without worry is a wonderful situation. Where to sleep each night doesn’t now even reach the rank of concern. Since Canberra, twice I have set off without a confirmed camping location and twice I have slept comfortably without hindrance. On the third night I had secured a host in Wollongong but even before that I had no worry of where I would set up for the night. Obviously different countries would bring different situations but Australia is as easy as it could be. If you aim for rural areas then certain possibilities diminish in some ways but increase in others. Less places to pitch due to the smaller size of the village or town but more chances to be disturbed in busy towns or cities. The more rural spots often lead to connections with local people who are interested in my travels. Maybe because the people are less busy, more laid back and because of that more inclined to approach. There was the offer of Christmas cake in the park in Bundanbore and the invitation to shower and have breakfast in Tallong. Both small rural communities where a traveller on a loaded bicycle stands out. Canberra also came with it’s offers but they were directly from partaking in the Parkrun in Burley Griffin. I was offered a room for the night but unfortunately it was 20 kilometres back towards where I had already cycled from. Even a comfy bed for the night isn’t going to make me retrace that distance three times. My night in Wollongong was fantastic as I stayed with a host through Warmshowers. It was a lovely lady called Jenny, or as her WiFi name stated; J-Bomb. I learnt this was her sons idea of a joke as he had set up the internet for her before he moved out. I can’t say if it still says that because she had learned to live with it liked it or if she didn’t know how to change it. Chick pea curry and fruit salad for dinner and cheese cake and peanut butter on toast for breakfast. A beautiful location with a Parkrun less than 2 kilometres away. Fantastic weather at present. Sydney a couple of days away with a host arranged over New Year. Everything is good.