Gentle Miles, Headwinds & Whale Watching

Daily miles: 19.92 | Total miles: 6,178.35

My alarm rang at 6:30am—later than usual, but after a long evening yesterday, I was grateful for the extra rest and the comfort of Tracey and Edy’s home. I went downstairs, made myself a coffee, and slowly started packing. We had toasted raisin bread with butter for breakfast (which I love), and then Tracey drove me back to the spot in Lismore where they had picked me up the night before.

Their neighborhood is just beautiful, and the drive back—especially the stretch along the ocean—was breathtaking. We even stopped to look out at the sea, and Tracey pointed out a whale splash in the distance. She told me whales can often be seen along that beach. It was such a wonderful moment—plus, some surfers were already out early, chasing waves.

Tracey and I chatted during the ride about things that matter to both of us, and honestly, I could have talked with her all day. But, as always, the road was calling. We unloaded the buggy, said our goodbyes, and then I was on my way again.

By 8:30am, I was ready to start running—a late start, but I only had around 20 miles to cover today. I headed for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which would take me all the way to Casino. At the trailhead, I was already greeted by kind, curious people who were genuinely interested in what I’m doing.

I started to run, but quickly realized it wouldn’t be easy. The strong headwind and the loose gravel made pushing the buggy a real challenge. I tried to run multiple times, but couldn’t find the right rhythm. My body felt the strain, and my mind kept saying: Just conserve energy. Walk today.

So that’s what I did. I walked and chatted with some wonderful people along the way. The wind—always loud—was once again wearing on my nerves, but knowing it was a short day helped ease my frustration.

When I arrived at my motel in Casino, I asked Vikas and Chandni if I could do a load of laundry since the laundromat across the street didn’t offer self-service. They kindly said yes, and we had a warm little exchange about our lives and work. I instantly felt at home at the Milgate Motel.

Now I’m catching up on laundry, organizing some logistics, doing a bit of admin, and soon I’ll go shopping for tomorrow’s supplies, eat dinner, and hopefully get a restful night of sleep.

Take care, my friends—and dream big too. Andrea