The sun has set. The gums trees rustle in the wind and I am driving through the Royal National Park Sutherland. I love driving through the bush along roads that wind and dip…. but there are
NO signs
ROAD BLOCKS
My PHONE is DEAD
I have no idea where I was and drive along the road, over a weir with no people around and no help.
LOST in the NATIONAL PARK and I’m late with 100 girls waiting for my talk.
I flag down a ute with 2 young guys in it. I am hoping it’s not Ivan Milat. No it’s not – 2 young guys towing their trail bikes. ‘Follow me.’ I zoom behind them. ‘That way.’
It is the track from ‘deliverance country’ – winding, bush, dark with road blocks all the way – watch out for the wallaby. Just missed the wombat . Get to the winding river.
No humanity. Huts …. then I find it – Rathane House filled with girls and teachers and excitement – I’m an ambassador for the National Year of Reading and finally arrived.
It was a wonderful hour of sharing story, my ‘Ships in the Field’ (Ford Street Publishing) with endless enthusiasm from the SCEGGS girls.
Loved it.
Then I took a breath. Mist had descended as I headed throughout bushland back to the highway missing kangaroos and wallabys.
