Ah, if only I'd had the courage when I was 18, and a few decent life skills, to set out alone and let life happen to me. I might have found out who I really was and saved the next 40+ years of foolishness!

Merrick, the teenager who changes gear and takes a road trip, doesn't know he's going to 'find himself', he just knows he's got to get away from the same old, same old that has been grinding him down since his grandfather died. When his bike breaks down in the middle of nowhere he has to push it to the next town, and along the way he meets up with an old vagabond, a man who well and truly opted out of the rat race.

Top marks to the author for getting totally into the mind of this teenager, and for making an unforgettable character in Victor. On our reading journey we meet some great philosophy, the best and worst of our human neighbours, and the fabulous scenery of Australia.

Gardner really gets it. He encapsulates the Australian teenage experience so well. This book added fuel to the fire of my obsession with Australian lit.

This reminded me a little of Herrick's [b:The Simple Gift|722292|The Simple Gift|Steven Herrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1319330892s/722292.jpg|3120288][b:The Simple Gift|722292|The Simple Gift|Steven Herrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1319330892s/722292.jpg|3120288], a homage if you will, a 21st century version.

It explores the role of family, the need for kindness, and connection to nature. Loved it.

Solid story about a boy taking off during stu vac to clear his head, and doing just that.