Into the great wide open – Introduction

The light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter – and no, it’s not a train. We’re about to pop out at the end.

After a very busy, full-on year driving a 12-month project with more than 20 primary stakeholders to a very tight schedule, it’s just about finished. In eight working days spread over the next few weeks, I will finish the last of the reporting and tie up the final loose ends. Phew – it’s been massive. It’s been 18 months of work smooshed into 12.

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New Day Rising – Day 28

Eskdale to Albury

Jaimathang, Dhuduroa, Wiradjuri Country

22 March 2025

The difference between the air temperature and the dew point is quite close. The heat of yesterday has seeped away; the humidity remains. The water vapour has condensed into tiny water droplets suspended in the air. It’s supersaturation down here at ground level, as if the earth has exhaled all that moisture from the rain and it’s now just hanging in the air.  Maybe it’s a sign we’re finally moving from summer into fog season.

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New Day Rising – Day 26

Big River to Lightning Creek

Jaimathang Country

20 March 2025

The moon is there. So is the wind. So are the clouds. Wind at night always feels ominous, even in windy places like Wyoming. The moon is probably somewhere around last quarter, not enough to really light my path as I pedal up the road in the dark. 

That 5am alarm came too soon. I’ve probably only managed three hours of sleep last night. My head just kept needing reassurance that a big mass of clouds had not yet arrived. 

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New Day Rising – Day 25

Livingstone Creek to Big River

Jaimathang Country

19 March 2025

You can see the cows’ breath as they exhale. You can see individual droplets of water on leaves formed from the heavy dew. You can feel the cold air creating goosebumps on your skin. It’s another 4C start to the day. There is no wind. There is just the cold, crisp air that has settled in the valley.

We round a corner with a hill rising sharply to our right. To our left, the open woodland with its short, angular trees feels a bit like something from one of the hobbit movies. In the shade of morning, it feels a little bit wild and a little bit creepy, as if the strands of moss and lichen on the tree branches might just reach out to grab you.

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New Day Rising – Day 24

Wentworth River to Livingstone Creek

Gunaikurnai and Jaimathang Country

18 March 2025

My nose and cheeks are cold. I’m curled up in the sleeping bag. Only my face pokes out. Sometime in the night I even had to zip the sleeping bag up to my shoulders. It is delightful after such a long and hot summer.

Poor Verne tumbled out of the sleeping bag at some point in the night, and when I rolled over and reached to move him and Kermit, he was not there. Poor little ectotherm was very cold to the touch when my hand finally found him there on the tent floor in the dark. 

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New Day Rising – Days 21-22

Castleburn Creek CG to Jimmy Iversons CG

Gunaikurnai Country

15-16 March 2025

There’s no reason to be up early. I’m not going too far and the weather should be fine. But once I’m awake, I’m awake, so why not get up? The dew is not going to dry on the tent before I’m ready to leave. 

So it’s another early morning ride in the moisture-laden air. The sun is up, the fog is lifting and the wind has not yet woken. We cruise right on down the valley with its steep walls. 

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