A Morning Of Mourning

Day: 369

Towns / Cities Visited: 268

Countries Visited: 31

Steps Taken Today: 12,885

Steps Taken Around the World: 5,741,682

There are very few things that can rouse us from our bed early, but family duty is most definitely one. Although it was not something we had been looking forward to, the reason for our return to Merimbula was finally upon us. It was to be the day we sprinkled the ashes of my partner’s mother, and what better day to choose than her birthday. It had seemed ill-fated all but a week ago when my partner’s brother-in-law came down with Covid, but by some miracle he’d managed to get through his week of isolation without infecting anyone else in the house with him. As such, the plans were back on, and we clambered out of bed, rugged up as warmly as we could, and set off down the road towards Middle Beach.

When we arrived at the top car park, it was to stumble upon my partner’s uncle and his family, and after the usual greetings, they headed down the stairs. Just as we went to follow, my partner’s siblings and co. all began to roll in, and we all embarked on the hundred or so steps down to the private little beach hidden at their base.

With everyone gathered, my partner’s stepfather gathered us together and made a touching speech about what…