It is a wonderful feeling when the pain subsides

Day: 41

Heart Camp – 21.06.2000

Today, at the beginning of summer in Germany and the shortest day in Australia, I feel better again and confident that I can continue the expedition. It is a wonderful feeling when the pain subsides and, to be honest, I can hardly imagine anything better. Suddenly I hear the birds singing again, the wind rustling through the branches and the bells of our camels tell me that the cycle of our lives continues unchanged. It’s also our dear dog Rufus’ birthday, because exactly one year ago he came into our lives and decided to cross Australia on foot with us. After breakfast, muesli with cocoa, Tanja and I use the time waiting for the “L-frames” to work on the film labeling. Each of our recordings is meticulously labeled with the name, time and scene before we send it to Germany. Jo, Tom and Petro arrive in the evening. They bring the long-awaited luggage frames. We celebrate this moment around the campfire. Petro unpacks his guitar and sings a few ballads about Australian bush life. Then, at a late hour, Petro and Tom recite an extremely funny, multi-part and long rhyme from Drovers Cook. It is a poem by Tom Quilty about the legendary drover’s days which tells the story of a bush cook who was not necessarily the cleanest. We experience another wonderful evening, on which the stars twinkle once again, heralding the long-awaited change in the weather.