Wise men say...

only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Take my hand, take my whole life too
Cause' I can't help fallin in love with you...

I sung those words over and over during the last 7km (4.5 miles) of walking yesterday in order to get my mind off the pain that was coursing through my legs. Although the 'I' in the song was replaced with my special someone's name, as per a message she sent me some time ago. I really needed something positive to focus on, and her message was perfect.

So where were we in this tale? I only have a few minutes so I shall have to be brief again, but I assure you dear reader, that I shall return after lunch to write some more.

The last entry saw me leaving Nowra midafternoon with a storm hot on my heels. This storm and I seem to have been playing a bit of a game of late, as it has followed me from the beginning.

My journey was initially delayed from starting due to me needing to spend more time with my sister. It also pissed down with rain that day, so the delay was fortuitous. The rain tickled my face briefly on the first day, although the storm appeared not to notice my turn-off into Kiama. However by the time I reached Berry, it had located me again and enjoyed soaking the clothes I was attempting to dry on the clothesline at Simon's place.

Within 10-15 minutes of entering Nowra on the third day, the storm hit in full force. There was fierce electrical display which impacted upon my accomodation plans for the evening, and had me sleeping in a park instead.

Upon leaving Nowra, the storm as I said, was hot on my heels. I had only managed to walk perhaps some 20km when the rain intensified once more. The timing could not have been more perfect: before me lay shelter, in the form of a service station! I did not let the weather dampen my spirits, even though I was starting to realise that I would not be able to walk any further that day. I had left that day with no knowledge of where I would be staying that evening, and had indeed assumed that I would be in my sleeping bag under a tree or bus shelter.

It was upon entering the service station that I had the pleasure of meeting Chris. He is a wonderful man, full of stories and has a really positive energy about him. We talked that evening until he had to depart at 10pm, and was kind enough to offer me shelter under the service station, as well as a few free cups of tea. We talked about travel, about living life as you wish, and a little about love.

I must go for now as my time on the computer in this library is up, and when I return after lunch, I shall tell the tale of walking 50km (31 miles) in a day.

Farewell for now!