When I was waiting for my flight in Darwin two guys came and sat next to me, I noticed they both wore all black, then I noticed one had what looked like a Priests collar but it was undone (You would not blame him given the heat) They both had accents and spoke good English. We started to chat and I asked if they are Priests, “almost” they are from the seminary in Sydney and are in training. They had been in the NT for two months and had been called back to their studies. I told them about my pilgrimage and what I had been doing. I also told them I was not Catholic, “Everyone is welcome” came the response. They told me about their pilgrimage they made as part of their training last year. 10 days with nothing but the clothes they wore and their bible, one had been sent to Tasmania and the other to Bathurst, they could accept hospitality but nothing more. How brave, to come all this way, from Serbia and Columbia and to travel around with nothing. We talked about all things pilgrimage, Camino, Mary MacKillop, Captain Cooks travels in NZ and I told them to visit St James in Sydney when they return to check out the wonderful sculpture of Jesus. My flight was called and we shook hands and wished each other safe travels.

Wednesday

I visited GOMA and the QAG, both are art galleries and both held in wonderful buildings. At GOMA is an exhibition called Water, this is modern art and many of the pieces are enormous.

At QAG, I was delighted to find a full exhibition from Hermannsburg where Ron and I visited in the NT, this highlights the influences of Albert Namatjira and showcased the potters from here also.

But my favourite was this painting by Jeffrey Smart; The Traveller.

At 5:00PM I meet my coach to go to Spirit of the Red Sands, this is at Beenleigh 36KM South of Brisbane. Our hosts are Mirigan people. This is an evening of Aboriginal culture, live and moving theatre and dinner. It’s hard to describe my emotions to this evening, it’s moving and tells the real story of three brothers, the performers are direct descendants of the brothers, there is music dance and you are transported in time. Fellow guests are German, French and Swedish a few locals too make up the group as we ride a roller coaster of emotions which all ends with a delicious meal and a coach ride home. Extraordinary.

Distance Traveled 72KM

Distance Walked 9KM

Thursday

It’s pouring rain as I leave Brisbane behind on the train and head to the Gold Coast where it’s pouring too. I have to say the Rail and Light rail is dam good and the trip was super fast and easy!

In the early 80’s my family moved to Southport from NZ not for long and I have very few memories from that time other than going to Southport Public School with my two younger Brothers and that on the beach they would spray you with coconut oil for 50c. I really wanted to walk down the beach and have a dip in the water but it’s horrible outside, luckily I have booked a nice hotel as a treat where I bunker down for some R&R!

What a wonderful rest day watching the rain and the bright lights of Surface start to shine.

Distance Traveled 80KM

Distance Walked 7KM

Spirit of the Red Sand