New Year, New Me. Apparently.

Can a person living with multiple disabilities make new year’s resolutions to be a new person? I believe so. There is always an opportunity to do and be better than we previously were, even when our bodies and/or minds limit us in how we go about these changes.

But before I get to January, there’s the full month of December to get through! Whilst on paper there are only three events to cover, there are multiple parts, and we begin with an adventure to Piggoreet with my support worker on the 11th Dec.

What’s in Piggoreet, you say? I’d never heard of it either, but my fingers meandering on the map lead me to Devil’s Kitchen – a volcanic area with a river running through it. At least, at the right time of year there would be a river, but not in a very dry, hot, Australian Summer. Devil’s Kitchen turned out to be quite the adventure with us traversing over boulders, ducking and weaving under bushes, and navigating brambles through “goat tracks”. All of which I did successfully. It wasn’t until we were on a well-worn path that I got stabbed by a low hanging tree branch which speared into and along my left knee. I have a faint scar still which I actually think is quite pretty as it curves my kneecap perfectly. Maybe it is just the artist (or autist) in me!

Devil’s Kitchen. Image by Teague Leigh.

Next was the last Out Doors Inc adventure for the year, starting on 16th Dec. This time to the Mornington Peninsula, staying in Tyabb. I’m loving these adventures, but they are exhausting as I have to chat and be friendly with twelve other people over the length of the adventure. If you’re neurodivergent, you’ll possibly know what I mean. For those who are not, let me just say that talking with strangers is exhausting because I have to weave my way through the landmines of body language and try and create small talk, which I am appalling at.

This adventure we walked around the Seawind Gardens & Arthurs’s Seat briefly, but as it was 37 degrees Celsius, and largely out in the open, we didn’t stop here long. Next up we hiked through a small portion of the ramblingly beautiful Coolart Wetlands. One of the paths takes you to Balnarring Beach and we stayed here a while for lunch and exploration.

Balnarring Beach. Image by Teague Leigh.

Once the day had cooled somewhat towards Golden Hour, we travelled to Mornington Beach where we had about an hour to explore. I will need to come back here at sunset with my tripod and filters as it is really quite a spectacular area.

Mornington Beach. Image by Teague Leigh.

Shortly after this adventure, Michael and I took off to my Mecca – Wilsons Promontory – the lowest point of mainland Australia and quite a bit cooler than Narrm/Melbourne. Starting on the 20th Dec, we committed to the Prom Wildlife Walk just before Golden Hour. Here we saw wallabies, so many kangaroos, and even an emu with it’s two juvenile offspring. That night, in the dark, we saw a wombat shuffling about near our unpowered campsite, so that was a bonus thrill.

Prom Wildlife Walk. Image by Teague Leigh.

On the 21st we went to Norman Beach, where Michael swam in the warm waters of the connecting Tidal River. We then came back for Golden Hour until just before blue hour because the temperature was dipping, the wind was wilding, and we weren’t dressed properly. Unfortunately, just as we’d packed up and had started walking back to the campsite the colours in the sky exploded and I didn’t get to capture them. Oh well, I’m happy with what I captured, at least.

Tidal River. Image by Teague Leigh.

Before the weather turned, we decided to catch the bust to Oberon and walk up to the mountains Summit. I really do not know what possessed me to do that walk with my level of cardio experience under my belt (which is to say minimal, lol). I cannot stress enough how it was a hard slog, taking an hour to walk up a winding gravel path. But oh my, how the views were priceless.

Mount Oberon Summit. Image by Teague Leigh.

The weather finally turned on us with torrential rains and fierce winds of 60km/hr. Our tent and marquee withstood the elements, but we were relegated to the tent and sufficed with playing boardgames for two days. It wasn’t until the 24th that we were able to venture out anywhere. By then I was decidedly stir-crazy – I do not come to Wilsons Prom to stay in a tent – it is for exploring with fervour.

Not that we went far. We took a 40min track through spindly beach woods to Norman Beach South Bay. Next time I have to some for sunset (or sunrise, whichever way works for the directions!) with my kit and take long exposures because it was a glorious destination away from the people who tend to stay around Darby Beach and the river.

Norman Beach South Bay. Image by Teague Leigh.

So, thus ended my 2024 adventures. Our friends came on Christmas day, bringing with them a glorious lunch spread, then took over our site for the next couple of nights as we drove back early. It was a hectic year and not a great one all told, but the adventures were plentiful and nourishing. I could not have survived the detritus without my fill of nature.

Question of the month: Do you have any New Years Resolutions? Or do they suck?

Be kind to yourselves, each other, and the planet.

T.Leigh