"Blisters and mossy bites add to my misery. Nothing I eat makes my legs feel normal. I am a little girl, overwhelmed by an unknown world. I begin to cry."
I am 61and live in Madeley in Stoke-on-Trent. I took early retirement from teaching several years ago. Being outside in the fresh air is very important to me, so gardening and walking are my particular passions. I also love travelling to new places and meeting new people.
I wanted to tell my story as it was a particularly memorable experience for me. I wanted to share the memories I have of my trip to Australia with my son Ben (who lives in Australia). This has been made possible because of Inside Lives and the BBC Staffordshire website.
I found the Inside Lives experience intense but enjoyable & challenging. It really made me think about 'me.' It was a privilege to share stories with the group.
Hot and thirsty, heart pounding, head aching, legs like jelly. Remote and far from home. I am walking deep in the Australian bush for the first time with Ben. Each night we find a small clearing for our tents and share the darkness with the bush creatures. It had gone well so far. Some climbing but for most days the track had taken us along the soft forest floor, through fern gullies and past creeks dappled by sunlight. I am excited and thrilled to know that Ben is happy to share this experience with his mum. Now, however, after a whole day scrambling over huge granite boulders, the sea far below, the strain of carrying a heavy pack is beginning to tell. I feel exhausted. We have no water. That was used up hours ago. Blisters and mossy bites add to my misery. Nothing I eat makes my legs feel normal. I am a little girl, overwhelmed by an unknown world. I begin to cry. 'Just give me some of your gear, mum', says Ben. At any other time I'd say 'No! No! I can do it!' but this time it's different. Although I don't want to admit it, it's too much for me. With my pack lightened I'm more able to carry on. Next day, coming out from the shade of the eucalyptus into the bright sunshine, Ben and I are stopped in our tracks by the beauty of the deserted bay ahead. Time stands still. Before this trip I hadn't seen Ben for several years. He lives in Australia and he could easily forget about his mum. But as we look ahead the years fall away and we are connected again. There is more climbing to do before the end of the journey, but a warm feeling is creeping through me. My feet grow wings and I float the rest of the way on a cloud of exhilaration. | 
