July 3rd (Sunday)
9:56 AM (Mildura)
I've never kept a diary before… so how do I start? I 'spose I can start by introducing you to us; there is Hannah (Nicknamed Diviney because she likes Shaun Diviney), she's driving the first part of the journey to Budgewoi. We met when I was in year 7, which was about eight years ago since she'll be 22 this year. Then in the back there's Sez (or Sarah) she's Webb, because she likes Bradie Webb, she's the same age as Diviney (a year older than me). And in the front passenger seat, there's me the one and only me (jokes) my nickname's Clemmensen because I like Andy Clemmensen (who wouldn't). I'm one year younger than 'them, which is kind of awkward when I like the oldest band member.
So you're probably wondering who Andy, Shaun and Bradie are? The answer is of course that they are an awesome band called (you guessed it) Short Stack. There's not really a story behind their name. Diviney, Webb and I are part of a band ourselves called No Boss Policy with a few other girls we know (Courtney, Darrien and Shona). I'm the lead guitarist, Webb plays Bass and Diviney is our awesome singer. We have written a few songs together but we're not much at the moment. No Boss Policy formed when I was in year seven. The name came from nowhere (literally) Diviney just came up with it one day. Div, Webb and I have loved Short Stack forever. In fact at the moment, I'm wearing one of my Short Stack shirts; the one that says "Sway Sway Baby." I have other ones too; I Heart Andy and TIBC (which stands for This Is Bat Country).
So, Div manages to jam the boot shut - it's so full of our stuff, including the parts of Daz's drum kit (I don't know why it's in Div's car), Webb's bass and my acoustic (I can't go anywhere without my guitar). As Div climbs in the front seat we wave goodbye to our families and friends again. To be quite honest I'm through with goodbyes (we've said them five times already) and I just stare until they disappear behind us.
There's an awkward silence between us as we near the G.C (George Chaffey) bridge on our way out of Mildura and Webb fiddles with our laptop as she chooses one of her ten thousand songs (Div's car hasn't got a stereo). We cross the bridge into Buronga and Webb chooses John Butler's Losing You. I personally like this song very much. John Butler is one of my idols. His favourite of mine is Ocean (especially the version that's live at Federation Square).
12:43 (Hay)
I know this town quite well. My Pa used to live here. His mother still does. We used to come here a lot. I'm telling Diviney that there's a café just down the road where we can eat lunch.
On the way here we passed through Balranald and stopped at Paula and Claude's takeaway shop for brunch. They're related to me, though I can never remember how. Mum used to say that we were related to almost half of Balranald. Mum grew up there and most of her side of the family still lives there, some of my grandmother's relatives live there too.
Div pulls up out the front and I bookmark my copy of Bruce Russel's From Pudgeway to Budgewoi. I'm reading this for a bit of background. Hey, I guess I haven't told you why we're going yet. I thought it was obvious because to us it is but you may not know that Budgewoi is where Short Stack comes from. We've always wanted to see their hometown.
The café has a modern-meets-country feel. There aren't many people in here. Webb studies the menu. My mind wanders a bit. I think about how awesome it would be if on the off chance that we happen across Short Stack (Budgewoi is a pretty big place) or at least one of them… what would happen? I've always wanted to meet them in person. It would be so cool to just chat to them like normal people. Webb asks me what I want; we're ordering. I decide on a toastie and a coke. Webb has the same and Div has a salad and coke. Our food doesn't take long to be served. We don't rush but waste no time eating.
3:57 PM (Junee)
Never been here before. My great grandma was born here. I had had absolutely no idea it was here before.
We're just stopping here for a quick toilet break (and I need a new bottle of water) we're at the service station. I'm about halfway through my book and I'm hoping to finish it before we get to Budgewoi tomorrow. Tonight we're staying in Wagga Wagga. I haven't been there either; I haven't really been up around this area much before. I quickly duck inside the shop to buy us some water to find Div returning the key to the toilet (Webb is halfway back to the car). I'm so tired. I yawn. Div looks at me. We're the only ones in here apart from the lady at the counter. She turns to go back to the car. I buy the water and follow her.
5:00 PM (Wagga Wagga)
We're staying the night here at The Boulevard motor in. It's really nice here and I'm quite comfortable even though I have to sleep on the couch. We're going to go out somewhere for dinner. I've already had a shower, so has Webb; she's making coffee. There are two single beds in our room, a TV and a bathroom.
6:15 PM (Wagga Wagga)
We're having dinner at Hog's Breath. We've already ordered and taken our seats. Webb is sipping on a Mocktail (non-alcoholic cocktail) and Div is texting one of her many brother's whose names I can't remember. I help myself to a piece of cheesy garlic bread. Our waitress (Raelene) brings Webb's food. We wait a while and she brings over mine and Diviney's. We eat in relative silence; just listening to the chatter and listening to the music in the background. I like it here.
9:30 PM (Wagga Wagga)
Tea was great and now for a (kind of) early night. We have another big day of driving tomorrow. I can't believe that we're finally gonna make it to Budgewoi. I'm so excited. I reach over a turn my electric blanket off (there was a spare in the cupboard) and flick off the light. Budgewoi here we come.