Thank you and the end

-

Without wanting to make this sound like a cheesy and awkward sounding thank you speech at the Logies, this is a heartfelt attempt to express our sincere thanks to everyone who came along on the ride with us. We never felt alone. 

Whether by reading the blog or by sending a kind message, whether by inviting us to join you for a glass of wine or by donating the spaghetti bolognese leftovers, whether by giving us a friendly wave or a wide berth, whether by stopping for a friendly chat or by asking curious questions, whether by inviting us into your homes or by offering us your advice, Coddiwomple 2022 became a little kindness revolution because all of you. 

Freewheeling 6,666km across parts of this country is a very special privilege, not for the reasons of the physical endeavour but for the lessons you learn along the way. The bicycle can be icebreaker or peacemaker. It allows you to explore the horizons of natural beauty and human diversity in most invigorating ways. It exposes your vulnerabilities and empowers your curiosity. 

The good outcome of an adventure like this is built on the goodwill and good luck experienced along the way. And we are both immensly grateful that we had them coming our way in road train loads. 

The blog will remain 'live' for a little longer and we will add a few more insights and stories around food, wine and the practicalities of bicycle touring. But the daily posts will end here, and we will, finally resolve that little matter of the Cliffhanger question, 'what next?'

Until we meet again in wide open spaces, on the roads to nowhere, and while taking the long way around.

Kerstin and Louise xx









Location: Cairns QLD, Australia

Comments

  1. FrancieJuly 5, 2022 at 9:38 AM

    What an auspicious number - 6,666 It is considered lucky as it sounds like the word that means
    "to flow" which can indicate smooth progress in life. It is interpreted as "good fortune" and "happiness" and therefore considered a good number for business.
    So, good vibes for your next adventure.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 6, 2022 at 7:54 PM

    That is just beautifully written dear cousins! Really moving xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. BrendaJuly 7, 2022 at 7:55 PM

    I am glad I came along for the ride. Looking forward to the next chapter.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JulietteJuly 9, 2022 at 10:21 AM

    Thanks for the experience of 'cycling' with you 2 through some of this beautiful great south land. I wish all the best of future endeavours what ever they will be because I know they will be wise, exciting, loving and always just what you needed! X0X0X0

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for sharing! We read all the comments, replies depend on internet connection and energy levels.

Popular posts from this blog

Accidents happen

-
Image
It's slow going writing this particular blog post as I am doing it with only one functional hand.  After almost 7000kms on the bikes, injury found me while running.   I wish I had a fantastic story to tell, but I simply tripped on a rocky trail and fell over.  You know that meme that goes "If you want to know if you're old fall over.   If people laugh you're still young,  if people panic then you're old!"  I can confirm, I am definitely old! It probably didn't help that two of my fingers were quite obviously either dislocated, broken or both.   I begged Kerstin to remove my wedding ring before the finger started swelling, being three hours from the hospital I was imagining the worst case scenario of the ring tourniqueting my finger and its subsequent death and amputation.  Poor Kerstin, this kind of thing makes her faint, but she gritted her teeth and pulled off the ring.  I then gritted my teeth and asked the ex-army maintenan...
Read more

Learning a new language

-
Image
There's plenty of things I anticipated learning when we accepted the positions at Avon Downs.  I thought I'd learn a lot about cooking for groups, about different cuts of beef and how to prepare them.  Maybe some stuff around the logistics of running a community which is 260km from the closest centre, and even then, its still Mt Isa... But I didn't really expect to learn a new language.  To be fair, I haven't spent a lot of time in the Territory.  But they really do speak their own dialect here.  Much different from costal Queensland, which is a slower, relaxed kind of Australian drawl.  Here it's fast, brief and usually mumbled.  I think I spent the first month constantly asking people to repeat themselves, answering the phone is always a diabolical risk.  And trying to understand the radio chat, impossible! Then there is all the slang and local shorthand.  To be fair some of the slang I suspect has been created by the Ringers themselves, as...
Read more

Generation Z's perspective

-
Image
Q:  "Which is more important, the journey or the destination?' A:  "The company." Introducing the team at Avon Downs Station.  This video was made as part of a competition between AACo Stations for the Employee Challenge.  It's a great way to show the outside world what life on Avon looks like.  It will change your perspective on who works on Cattle Stations. There is a lot to be said for keeping company with Generation Z.  The stockcamp (the staff who do all the stock work) are all aged between 16-23 years old.  We feel pretty privileged to be given access and insight into their world.  They are generous when asked for explanations of everything from the work they do, to how the social system between them as individuals, as a team and as a Station works.  I'm pretty sure the education is going both ways!  If you want to be reassured about the future, then I recommend spending some quality time with it.
Read more