COMETH THE HOUR, COMETH THE MAN
In September of 2019, the Hard Cuddles team took away three young men addicted to the drug ice. The journey was a 5-day Into the Wild experience, to a remote camping location situated on the most stunning beach the east coast has to offer.
Two of those men are now clean and functioning members of the community. This is the account as told by one of the participants:
Day 1 Nervous/In-charge
Today Hard Cuddles went off on our camp. We met at James’ house and I got to meet the lads. We took off and had a long drive ahead of us. With only a few stops we reached camp. We set up and had our lunch.
When we arrived I immediately felt connected to the wildlife, especially the kangaroos. After lunch, we left camp to embark on our first fishing trip. Even though the fish we caught weren't what we were after, we now had shark bait. We had a good time fishing with lots of laughs and started to bond (the lads are great). Shortly after we got back to the beach to have a quick bath (f%cking freezing). When we were around the fire we each receive our letters from home. Emotions and darts around the fire. I felt mum held back on what she had written me. To be honest I was disappointed but could understand why she did.
Day 2
Today we woke up to rain. As we all were up we headed into town where we had breakfast at the Seabreeze Café in Merimbula and stopped off at a few shops along the way. On the drive into town, I learned that Eddie Murphy has a brother CHARLIE MURPHY!!! James showed us a film clip of Charlie telling a stand-up comedy story. Good Laughs.
After we got back Kliney and I went on a fishing trip to the “FRIDGE” James joined us not long after. We caught three salmon and a green wrasse. We saw two sea eagles soaring in the skies and had some good laughs. Whilst James and Andy were off catching bait for the following days, Kliney and I bonded over some bocce.
Dinner was chicken ribs and a salad. AFTER DINNER WAS WHERE THIS PLACE TOOK FULL FORCE. As the dew started to set the shark hunters were out to hunt. The fire was roaring, the moon rising on cue (EPIC). The rods were all baited consistently, the tuna oil dribbled in the right spots we had everything, even the SNACKS. If there was a shark fishing guide there they would have been impressed, because hadn't put a foot wrong. All that was missing was the SHARK! As we chatted away and contemplated calling it a night it started to happen "THE FAIRYTALE FINISH".
The rod was right where we wanted it bent over and hooked with glory. After a short and fierce fight, we had ourselves a five-foot gummy shark. The excitement. It was the second most thrilling embracing and joyful moment of my life. It wasn't even what we caught but the moment itself. HALL OF FAME MOMENT.
Day 3
This morning we were up early. Bacon and eggs for breaky. All up and ready to go, we headed off on a 4WD trip to fish and explore. Whilst James was the only one to bag two fish, the day was good enough. On the ride home back to camp we came across a 6-foot diamond back python. The first wild snake I've experienced up close was very insightful. Another great moment which I think we all got to bond over as a group.
After a short-lived spearfishing session due to the conditions, we got to try some of Chef Kliney’s abalone which James hauled in from the bay. After dinner, we are off to catch another shark and sit around another beach fire. THIS PLACE IS INSANE. THE JOINT ROCKS.
Day 4
Although the night didn't end as we hoped (no shark), Kliney and I had a very relaxing time on the beach. We constantly watched the rods laid next to the fire and chatted away five hours.
There will come a time in the not too distant future where we will be able to go on more Into the Wild adventures. Hard Cuddles is looking forward to taking many people on many more experiences just like this one.
Thank you to MB for allowing us to use your diary and a special thank you to Steven Kline for helping facilitate another epic adventure.
