What an amazing morning. On leaving our hotel, we made our way to Wulguru Park to meet with Amp Camp teen, Jordan and his mum Renee. We discussed the importance and significance of Amp Camp from both their perspectives. Jordan was clear that it provided a place for him to connect with other youth who also live with amputation, limb loss and limb difference. For him, it has built friendships and given the opportunity to be accepted for who he is. He spoke of how Amp Camp gave him confidence and an inner happiness. He said, on a number of occasions, how it just made him happy when he was there and he encourages all youth with limb loss and limb difference to get involved.
Speaking with Renee, we gained an insight into the joy it brings her when Jordan returns from Amp Camp as an energetic and happy person. She also spoke about the challenge of the first time she sent Jordan alone to Sydney from Townsville and the challenges a parent goes through in releasing their child into that phase of independence. I am realising that there is the added burden on parents with teens who have limb loss or limb difference, and it is not just in the physical matters, but also the question of whether they will be accepted, embraced and engaged without judgement. I was humbled by Jordan who identified his desire to continue in archery after recognising his skills at Amp Camp. But more importantly, Jordan inspired me that physical challenges may impose barriers and limitations; however, it is also about the inner person and that is what truly defines us.
Saying our good-byes, I was on the road again this time bound for Home Hill. There is only one road I know now… The Bruce Highway!
Along today’s route we had only a few kilometres of cane fields with the road primarily lined with small scrub and gums and of course the ever-present threat of crocodiles. Haven’t seen a live one yet and I have passed my share of rivers, creeks, lagoons and other water courses. Today, I passed Easter Creek, Christmas Creek, both of which I now regret not stopping to photograph. Another of those regrets was Didgeridoo Lagoon with its beautiful still water which was covered on the edges with a carpet of pink water lilies and bordered by gum trees and blade grass. Unfortunately, there was little room to stop.
Today’s Weather – same. SAME as every other day!!! 29 degrees, SE winds between 16-20kms, no cloud cover and the sun had an incredible bite to it.
We elected to by-pass Ayr and cut through farm lands to the south for our final approach to Home Hill. Grant had gone ahead to where we had planned to turn off the Bruce Highway and discovered a Driver Reviver that was …hmmm… closed! However, there was a great undercover area with a cold concrete floor which, we joked, he had actually laid in time for my arrival as a place to rest and cool down.
After a break and some food we were away, this time using the UHF radios to communicate. We discussed the man shed of man sheds that someone had built. The outside was completely lined with solar panels (roof and walls) and it was the size of a house. Every blokes dream! Weaving our way through, we re-joined the Bruce Highway just north of Home Hill where we were met by the incredible Burdekin Bridge with its steel girder construction. Below lay the Burdekin River with only a trickle running through. The vast expanse of this river is to behold and in full flow would be something. I had to leave the road to cross the bridge by using a service bridge – down a few stairs at one end and up a few at the other (try riding that!). A few more kilometres and we arrived at our night’s accommodation, ‘The Burdekin Motor Hotel’.
I have resorted to my favourite meal of salmon and veggies again, with Grant opting for steak and ribs with veggies. You cannot beat a good pub meal.
An early rise tomorrow as we have 170kms to cover and the weather is predicted to remain… yep… the SAME!
Mike and Grant