Lothar's
Walkers: Coralie, Irene, Linda H, Lothar, Mabel (leader)
Photos: Irene's
Lothar's
Report:
2nd leg of The Great South West Calender Year Challenge (GSWCYC) from near Cubby’s Camp to past Cut Out Camp – (about 20kms)
Leader - Mabel with followers of Lothar, Coralie, Linda &
Irene
I just want to let you all know that I am forgoing my Sunday
morning coffee and the reading of my current book in bed so that I can
experience the GSWW in one calendar year and write these reports for you. I hope
you are all suitably impressed and feeling guilty that you are not joining us.
(I suppose I should also tell you that I am using these walks as training for
the Jatbula Trail, which a few of us are heading off to do in July.) With that
all said, cars were shuffled, boots were donned and maps were adjusted and we
headed off WITHOUT
lattés. It took me a few kilometres to get over this fact and get my head
into walking mode and not grumpy mode through lack of latté.
For this part of the walk we started under the power lines
before Cubby’s camp where I was reminded of the line out of Shakespeare's
Hamlet, which I thought was “Alas poor Yorick I knew him well” (which fits quite
well into your steps as you walk, but not as well as Om Mani Padme Hum). I have
since discovered after some investigation the line is actually “Alas, poor
Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent
fancy:” (This doesn’t fit into walking at all). The
line is a meditation on the fragility of life and looking down at the skull
leaning against the GSWW sign I was wondering if this was an omen for the day.
A few k’s into the walk we stopped for a drink and to look at
the map to be told that “I’m not sure where we are but do you want to look at
the map”!!!!! After due discussion and much pointing at different parts of the
map we headed off again, I consoled myself with the fact that there was only one
track and we couldn’t get toooooo lost, although the picture of that skull at
the beginning of the walk was looming large in my head.
As lunchtime was drawing close the orders came thick and fast
for, logs to sit on, shade, grass and lattés, as very few of these were
available we settled for shade. I think by this stage the leader was starting to
wonder why she was dragging these followers along especially when the statement
of..... “What do you mean we have ANOTHER
2 HOURS to go, I have to go home and cut the grass, and what about the
girls”!!!!! (that’s the chooks by the way) came out of an unnamed persons mouth.
As we all settled the President down and enjoyed our lunch break, peacefulness
fell over the group. Just being out there in the bush listening to the birds and
enjoying the fresh air was adequate compensation for missing out on my sleep-in.
A bit further down the track, after spotting yellow tailed
black cockatoos, we meet up with a lone walker, struggling along with a very
unbalanced travel backpack with bits and pieces hanging off every available
strap and wearing sneakers. This was the second day of his 14 day
walk.........hmmm
You will all be pleased to know that we all made it to the end
and have now completed 40 kms of the GSWW 250 kms. By the way this part of the
walk was through bush land all the way with slightly undulating areas at times.
There is no water in any of the creeks and the whole area is tinder dry, a bit
scary really.
Thanks Mabel for putting up with us and making the day
enjoyable.
P.S. we did get home to the chooks and all was well.
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