15/08/11
After a hearty?? Breakfast of bacon and left over Macaroni cheese we set off on day two of the walk. To set the scene it was cold, raining and the mud was ankle to shin deep. In all a British summer. We trudged through the forest section of the walk making slow progress as the mud provided to be an obstacle course that was a worthy opponent. Chicken nearly lost a shoe, all of us nearly ended up face down in the mud and in general it was fairly hard going. That said the tress and surroundings were beautiful and we saw a real life live wild wallaby. WOW. It was just sitting by the path eyeing our comedic approach. After having its fill of amusement for the day he hopped off into the bush.
Eventually we found our spot for dinner. A cover hut in a camp site. Never have we been so pleased to see a basic hut as it was dry and out of the wind. After lunch of tuna on bread and some chocolate we set off for part two. This of course was the cue to see more signs warning us of snakes and so distracted was chicken that he had a comedy legs u in the air fall landing firmly on his arse and denting our tins of mega meal! After checking the tins were ok and chicken had not broken anything we photographed him and then helped him to his feet. With friends like us who needs adversaries?
Feeling rather cold, tired and knowing the there was still another two hours of walking we fell into step in silence. Our spirits were lifted however by the sight of a koala sitting in a tree. Sometime later we heard what only can be described as a sound you imagine someone would make if they were being murdered and or raped. Fortunately our friendly bus driver had told us this was likely to be a koala enjoying?? sex. Intrigued I set off to investigate and whilst is was not quick enough to observer the act its self I did see two koalas looking rather content.
After some more stunning cliff top scenery the end was in sight. The map showed us that there was about 30 minutes of walking left. Felling elated we had not reckoned on the sick jokes that awaited us.
The first was a river that required crossing without yes without the aid of a bridge. Now normally this would not be a daunting prospect when embarking on a post pub ramble but with 5 hours walking already under our belts and 15kg on our backs. So with some choice language and fist shaking we took off our boots, hoisted up our trousers and crossed the cold cold cold river.
The second challenge was the steep climb up to where our campsite should have been. Some 262 steps stood between us and a lie down. Moving at a pass fitting with our new found tortoise status we ascended the hill to where the campsite should have been. Upon arrival we were at a loss as to said sites location. Sensing despair in the air I left James and Chicken and jogged yes jogged along the path to see if it was a little further. Now if I believed in god I would say he rewarded my resilience with another wild life sighting a huge black wallaby that eyed my approach but steadfastly refused to move. Slowing down I began to wonder how this would play out. Would I be the first walker to be attached and eaten by a wallaby? Would I be eating wallaby steak for dinner? Well in the end it just hopped off but never the less it’s was exciting.
Retuning some 20 minutes later I found James and Chicken had located the camp sight- about 3 meters for our original location. Feeling a sense of relief we set about making camp. Chick and I set up the tent, James made house inside it and then beg to boil water for dinner. Chick and I engaged in some hunter gathering for our camp fire. Being in the bush provided us with lots of things that were extremely combustible and within no time the fire was burning well. We found that eucalyptus burns extremely well probably due to its high oil content.
The evening was spent sitting round the camp fire eating another camping meal prepared by James. This time it was smash and mega meal (sausage and beans) cooked and served in the German army mess tins I had bought. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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