Sat 2024-12-21

Mullum Mullum 

(Day 7) Today, i was being quiet enough to spot some kangeroos before they saw me. They didn't hop away immediately, so i had time to snap a photo of them on the path in front of me. 

Less than a minute later, as i stood frozen, a cyclist arrived at speed from the other side of them. They scattered in all directions. The rider skidded to a stop. He apologised to me for frightening them away. "No worries," i said "They're here all the time."

He said today was his first time riding along this path - and how much he loved how pretty this place is. He'd visited a friend nearby and never known this trail to be here. Ridden all the way from Hampton (or somewhere equally impressively far away). I easily believed it. He looked fit and comfortable on two wheels. In his 40s most likely.

Unexpectedly, we then proceeded to chat for 20 min or so. We covered a lot of ground too: the way how he's trying to live his life, how much time people spend on their phone, the state of the world.

I felt relaxed throughout. The conversation flowed on naturally. They felt the kind of thoughts most men only tend to discuss after a few beers (if at all). He seemed cluey, a thinker, open and enthusiastic, amped-up and at times agitated. I suspect he'd had a bad breakup, perhaps in a parental custody saga. Or something else entirely.

We didn't exchange details or overstay. After a time, he said he wanted to get going to reach home before he lost the light. We thanked each other for the chat.

Usually, i'm out wandering to experience nature. Today it felt very fulfilling to do otherwise. Both kinds of interaction feel restorative - worthwhile.