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| Clearing a patch for a softer sleep |
Broken bones mend, muscles
rejuvenate, lacerations scar, the human body never seizes to repair and adapt
to an always changing environment. This resilience, this unique ability to
survive is the sole purpose our species still walks the earth today. It’s been
40 days now that my body has been repeatedly used and abused. First comes the
tearing and the pain, next comes the shock, after comes the body’s protest for
rest until eventually adaption takes effect and the day to day agony dissolves
into a soothing rhythm, concentrating specific muscle groups to move forcefully
with the least amount of resistance, a physical harmony. The aching throbs have
been replaced with a comforting explosion of muscle and skin. Breathlessness
has been silenced by a steady diaphragm expanding and contracting. I’ve never
felt stronger in my life; previously strenuous tasks are carried out now with
one handed ease, my hunger has been satisfied with the rationed diet while it
thrives on every single calorie like a cherished gift that will never be
resupplied. My metabolism is a thriving organism finding energy from places of
which are still a mystery to me. My body is working, and its working well, a
well oil machine efficiently burning with the lack of emissions. I’m no longer
enduring the days but enjoying them. Quizzically I’m amused with the wonder of
how much more I can get out of the new side of this leaf, I want to push
harder, I want to breath stronger, I want to discover the breaking point of
exhaustion and physical defeat. Bring on the Mighty Murray, you haven’t killed
me yet, it’s only fair I give you another chance.
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| Broken Rudder |
Unfortunate to my newly unearthed
strength and mentality, the gear that I rely on to achieve such goals don’t
share the same resilience as flesh and bone. My boat takes a true battering in
the daily use. Dragging it up precariously steep banks, hitting submerged rocks
and trees, the packing and unpacking of the camping equipment. As every liquid
has a boiling point, every piece of equipmen has a breaking point. The bungee cords on my
deck holding my gear are frayed and severed, my tent poles are fractured in
every corner, my fuel stove no longer seals to the propane canister. All minor inconveniences
of course until the unthinkable happens, the worst disaster possible other than
a breached hull. The pressure from the pedals on my toes falls away suddenly
leaving my legs searching for something to press against. Wonder turns to dread
as I turn around to find my rudder completely severed from the spine. The now useless
steering devise lays limply dangling in the water, useless to me as all control
is lost and my boat points backwards and floats down stream.
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| Fabricated metal left - Broken plastic right |
My efforts to repair the broken
neck are short lived and the rudder falls clean off into the water moments
after launching the next morning. Luckily enough I’m not overly isolated and am
forced to paddle it like a skink boat (using only the paddle to steer) for 51km’s
into the town of Swan Hill. The shape and weight of the Kayak is rudder dependent,
so I spend the mass majority of those 51 km vigorously paddling on my left
stroke in a constant struggle to keep the boat headed straight down river ‘as
it has a tendency to naturally want to float backwards’. As if fortune played a
good hand, the only people I loosely know on the river also reside in this peaceful
country town. I’m greeted with warm welcomes and ear to ear smiles, I great
them with my predicament. I’d be lying if I said I was put off by the mishap but
I was doing all I could to hide my excitement of a new challenge. The piece is
from a New Zealand manufacturer with no distributors in Australia, an original
replacement part would leave me waiting in that town for weeks which is never
considered as an option, especially with my strict timeline to finish the river
and get out of dodge before my extended visa’s extension expires. The pressure is
on, whatever needs to be done it needs to be done in the next few hours at any
price if I want to succeed in conquering this river.
 |
| New fixed Rudder |
The father of my friend Braydon
from Christmas Island collects in me in his car as we navigate through the town
to an engineering shop on the outskirts, our best option he reckons. The receptionist’s
greeting is predictable as I would imagine, approached by an un-kept, long
haired, bearded man with an orange toque displaying a piece of plastic in a sheet
metal shop. Brief negotiations confirm that I won’t be allowed to use their
material, welders, and grinders in exchange for a carton of beer…. Clearly the
request was outrageous and what I got was exactly what I was lining up to get..
a guilty compromise to a help a person in need. I’m granted access to have a
look in the yard to see if I can find some material and take my work else ware.
A teenaged boy is sent to our disposal and generously, not only finds a couple pieces
of scrap steel, but cuts them down to length free of charge. Frank (Bradon’s
dad) set me up in his in-law’s garage with a handful of miscellaneous power
tools and an antique welder. Like a brain surgeon makes his incisions, I
manipulate the bits of steel into impossible shapes with the miss match of
tools. A man left to his devices with only an image of what he wants in his
mind. I’m completely consumed by the task, sparks, dust, and squealing electric
motors, I’m completely in my element. A few hours later I emerge with a
sheepish grin on my face like a child who’s sporting an A+ assignment. Success
at last, I’m reminded of all those days spent bloodying knuckles against rusty
old trucks, the wet cold ground of a driveway against my back. Unable to afford
anything more, those countless hours now prove to be invaluable time of
education.
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| Rhonda - Me - Frank |
A set back of less than four
hours.. a good attempt but this river will need to try harder than that to keep
me from it.
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