Saturday 23rd October 2010 – Adelaide was a wonderful city. If I had to find a word to describe it, I would say EASY. Everything about the city is easy - its easy to get into, its easy to get out of, its easy to get around, its easy to make friends, it easy to find what you need. Its all just so easy. I loved it.

The first week I spent mostly exploring the city centre and getting my bike sorted out. When I bought the top box there was only one key for it, so I thought it would be wise to get another one cut. So I found a locksmith who advised me “if that doesn’t work bring it back and I’ll make it work”. As it happened, it didn’t work, so I took it back and, sure enough, he made it work! See, EASY! I also noticed, after my ride up into the Adelaide Hills, that my chain was loose so I took it to the bike shop to get it tightened. They promptly informed me it was already on the last setting so to get it tighter I’d need a new chain. And, of course, when you get a new chain you also need new sprockets, so 4 days and $400 later the new parts had arrived, were fitted and it was once again ready to ride. Unfortunately, I wasn’t.

There's a notice in the lift at the YHA which suggests various acts of kindness one can do to help one's fellow travellers. So to get myself out of my somewhat self-focussed nervous state, I decided I would go and volunteer my services at the RSPCA office around the corner from the YHA. I was only stuffing envelopes (hundreds of them!) but they have an area through the back where they keep animals that have been handed in and, as its kitten time just now, there have been lots of kittens coming in and out. So I spent about half an hour stroking one mother and her litter of 8 tiny black and grey & white kittens. They were soooo cute. Unfortunately, if they can't find homes for them they will have to put them down. On hearing this I immediately volunteered to take them all, but the lady in charge didn't seem to think that a motorcycle would really make a suitable home for them!

After Lilly left, I got a new room-mate - a Swiss girl called Corrine. She was really fun too. I'm not exactly sure what I did, but when she left she gave me a big hug and thanked me for really cheering her up. The room felt very empty after she'd gone. Its so easy to meet people when you're travelling. Everyone is really friendly and outward focussed, whereas, when you're in an office, people tend to be much more inward focussed. Now I understand why I never really feel like I fit in when I'm "settled" - I connect better with people with an outward focus.

Anyway, back at the hostel, I finally met some men. A dutch guy, an Ozzie biker called Al and another Ozzie guy called Bradley. Bradley missed the shops the other day so I made him some pasta while Al regailed us with stories of working in the mines and close encounters with sharks.

The second week I was there I decided to explore North Adelaide. What a beautiful part of the city - full of lovely houses and open parklands. There is a lookout there called Light’s Vision which overlooks the whole city and the Adelaide Hills. I kept finding myself being drawn back there for hours at a time. I even started meditating there! Funnily enough, I got my own vision while I was there, something that I’d forgotten since setting off from Melbourne, about why I’d come to Australia in the first place. I’m not going to say what that is just now, but you can be sure riding a motorcycle has got everything and nothing whatsoever to do with it!

Speaking of the motorbike, by the time I left Adelaide, despite several rides around the city to try and overcome my nerves, a new chain and new panniers, I was still a jittering wreck when it came to setting off. After an hour I stopped in a parking area for a rest and gave myself a right good talking to. When I got back on the bike, something had changed and the fear had gone. I was actually “riding” the bike, rather than just being a nervous passenger with no sense of control. I wish I could say this lasted all day, but it was a particularly long and hot ride to Ouyen, so it was difficult to sustain my new found determination, but I arrived safely with no major incidents so I was very happy with that.

At this point, you may be wondering what on earth possessed me to ride motorbike round Australia when I’m obviously so scared of it? Well, overcoming my fears has got a lot to do with that vision I was talking about.

My first house-sit in Lake Boga starts tomorrow so I’m very much looking forward to this.