22–31 March: A Pause for Rest and Family Before the Big Push

It’s amazing how quickly those long‑anticipated comforts, the ones that felt like a stairway to heaven, become normal again. Within a few days, Cy and I were already restless and itching to continue our journey. But we needed to put some weight back on, swap our hiking gear for boating gear, and give our bodies a proper rest.

On 25th March, Tim and Ariadne arrived by car with our kayak and rowing boat strapped to the roof rack. Joe and Beverley had done a great job securing our boats and parts. Seeing my family after three weeks was such a lift. Their support, their energy, the familiar banter—it all came flooding back. Within minutes of them stepping into the cottage, the place was full of chaos, chatter, and closeness. For the first time, we could really talk through our journey, share our fears and experiences, and let them into the emotional side of what we had been carrying. Tim brought so many small comforts from home—my teapot, my favourite tea and he cooked for us. It felt incredibly nurturing.

I spent time checking out Hume Dam and the launch site opposite it, where we planned to set off on 31st March.

Over the weekend, Beverley and Maria arrived, and we spent time together getting excited about the boating leg of the trip, even with the warnings about strong currents and wind. I practiced packing and unpacking my gear and fitted the mirrors onto my rowing boat. I wanted everything to be smooth and efficient on the day we hit the water.

The rest of the days were filled with talking, resting, and a bit of sightseeing. But the anticipation of the long rowing journey hung over everything. Ariadne was very upset—four months without seeing her brother and mother felt overwhelming, especially after already missing us for three weeks. I tried to be brave for her, to reassure her, but I had my own knot of anxiety about what lay ahead and about leaving her for so long. I was also thinking of my eldest daughter, off on her own adventure in Scotland. I missed her deeply, though her regular check‑ins were a huge comfort.

Through all of this, I felt an enormous sense of privilege, to be able to take on this adventure with Cy, supported so fully by my husband and family. Its not something I take lightly.

31st March—swapping boots for boats, another adventure begins.