Satellite Dispatch / Onroad / Don's Epic Journey / #24

Date: Jan/Feb 1998
To: studio@toysatellite.org
From: Don Pattenden <dpattenden@pegasus.com.au>
Subject: Life in Herberton - Part One

Hello,

Yes, I'm still in the Atherton Tablelands, still staying with my daughter and relishing the tranquility of the life there. In some ways I'm not really relishing the prospect of returning to the "Big Smoke" -- the hustle and the bustle of Brisbane. Even Cairns is going to be a shock to the system when I go there to catch the train there. Even less am I relishing the prospect of (a) packing up in preparation -- GHASTLY business, and I've been "unpacked" for a long time now; and (b) that awful train trip from Cairns to Brisbane.

On the other hand I AM looking forward to being "on the road again" once all that rigmarole is over and I'm finally heading north from Brisbane. The latest is that I'll probably be booking my fare (been hesitating about doing it cos I just HATE deadlines!!) for the weekend after next.

Now though, I just want to tell you something about the life in Herberton because it has been for me a "different world" -- different in so many ways from anything I've been used to.

First let me just recap (since it's been so long since I've been able to write a proper Newsletter) on events leading up to my arrival in North Queensland. To begin with here are some dates, beginning with my departure from Sydney way back in July 97, after recouperating from my accident (my "mallet finger" requiring wearing a splint for 6 weeks):-

July 10	Depart Sydney, heading north, via Palm Beach & the Central Coast.
October 16	Depart Byron Bay after staying there with my cousin Pam at Myocum, heading for Murwillumbah via Main Arm, Nullum Uki.
October 17	Arrived Murwillumbah. Stayed with my other cousin.
October 20	My sister Heather turned 50; a big milestone for her (she made it!)
October 22	Departed Murwillumbah.
October 26	Reached the Gold Coast -- an amazing place, but who would want to live there????
October 28	Reached the outskirts of Brisbane (Logan Hyperdome)
October 30	Final leg; last day's riding of the Sydney to Brisbane journey. A really gruelling, gruelling ride through ghastly traffic from Underwood to Taringa. And from there to Chapel Hill where accommodation had been arranged for me. Meanwhile, news from Sydney regarding Heather (and her brain tumour) is not good. She has been admitted to a Hospice for the terminally ill.
November 2	Train to Sydney.
Nov 3 to Nov 11	Visiting Heather every day. She is sinking fast but did recognise me. I made it in time!!
November 11	Heather died. On Remembrance Day. And she will not be forgotten.
November 14	The funeral. I gave the eulogy. A very special occasion; family all together again; first time in years.
December 7	Back to Brisbane.
December 14	Train Brisbane to Cairns.
December 16	Meet Dani in Kuranda (after a fascinating trip in the scenic train Cairns to Kuranda. A pleasant day, and then home to the property. First time Dani and I had seen each other for some 18 months.
December 25	Bush Christmas!!

Well, I seem to have run out of time yet again here at this video shop, and I have so much more to type. The rest will have to wait till next time, i.e. next time I come into Atherton, hopefully early next week. Thanks again to all those who have sent me individual messages which, once again I don't have time to reply to.

To be continued.

Regards,
Don.

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