Home safe and sound.

Got home last night. Most dangerous aspect of trip was driving
through Syd in pouring rain with semi trailers all around. Now for the
clean up.

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The mighty Snowy River

Just a mill pond these days. It must have been an awesome sight before the water diversion.

Camped tonight at Native Dog Flat

GR 970 160, just south of the AAWT at the Cobberas where it turned NW. This cross country route is on good quality dirt road and I think it gives easier access to drop boxes than the route I used to place them.

Bonegilla Migrant Reception Centre

Near Albury/Wodonga.

I visited it this morning as Eddie spent his first 3 months in AU here. He has fond memories of rabbiting with a mates dog and a general good time in the open fields, before the family headed to Geelong and as they say, the rest is history. It routinely housed 7000 people. The visitor book was unfortunately just 2 days old but each person making an entry was pleased to be able to return and relive memories. Only block 19 remains (of 28) but this is a dozen or more buildings including the hall, the kitchen and living quarters so an impression is easily gained.

Lake Hume

I do believe there is something missing here!

Mt Loch Car Park

We got confused at Christmas as it is not sign posted as Mt Loch car park. It is now mostly the reservoir seen for snow machines. Coming from Harrietville it is 500m before the tunnel.

Drop boxes at Hotham and Glen Wills have now been collected. I am going to head cross country from Omeo to Jindabyne, and will camp half way so no reception tonight.

Margaret and Eddie

Saints!

I effectively hoisted myself upon this couple out of the blue in Walhalla. One moment they are having a quiet coffee at the only place open in Walhalla after a week of touring VIC and catching up with friends. The next, they are somehow obliged to give a ragged, smelly, complete stranger a lift to Mel.

Leaving Walhalla, we checked out Thomson Reservoir. Perfect, I had been up and down through its headwaters of the Thomson for the last 4 days, so I was keen to see what it was all about.

Later, we had got to the main road running west to Mel, when I made the mistake of mentioning that fresh fruit / veges was what you craved in the bush. Next thing the car is pulled up, the Esky has been raided and bananas, oranges, biscuits and hot cross buns magically appear.

I had agreed with Eddie, that any public transport into central Mel would be fine, when suddenly E&M suggest I stay the night with them at Geelong. I'd been feeling a bit crook the last week, so a family home and friendly company is appealing and I agree.

We stop at the local club for a meal on the way through and quickly visit the family business to check all is well, before we arrive at their home and I am given the choice of guest rooms, and run of the bathroom and laundry.

Absolutely everything, including the pack, goes in the wash (remember E&M have a weeks worth of washing themselves). Magically track pants, a sweat top and even socks appear as I have nothing to wear. After a shower and a shave I feel like a human again. After a cuppa, I slept like a log on a super comfy bed.

Next morning there is porridge and as much coffee and toast as I want. Whippetman phones to organise to meet face to face, so I can pass on what I have learnt, for their attempt in spring. We are stunned to realise we are both in Geelong. When he calls to pick me up, Andrew is immediately invited to morning tea and then for lunch.

Eddie and Margaret, I really can not thank you enough for your kindness to a complete stranger. God Bless You.


Some coincidences.
E&M have travelled widely round the world over the last ten years, so we had a number of places to compare notes on including Egypt, the UK, China and Canada. My mother is also called Margaret and mysteriously they both suffer a similar rare medical condition.

I should have figured there was a German connection when Eddie checked the origin of my name. Turns out he was born in Poland and spent his first 10 years caught in the middle of WWII and its immediate aftermath. Most of this time in Bavaria (home of OSRAM), including the towns of Regensberg and Augsberg where OSRAM have plants. He and his brother had a few lucky escapes including a skating on thin ice near drowning that reminded me of something similar that happened to my brother.

The big coincidence though was to learn they had just been to NZ and spent their time with friends at a small township called Coromandel. As a kid and young adult we used to visit this harbour and its village from our boat regularly for supplies of fuel, water, bread, milk, fruit and of course the all important ice-cream bribe to walk the 2k into town. I caught my first and only decent sized Schnapper in this harbour and I used to play with the tender and windsurfer in the tidal race between the mainland and the first island. To see this place again in their photos was quite remarkable!

E&M - Thanks again for your generous hospitality.

Beaut. Spot

Mitta Mitta Waterhole and picnic ground.

Mitta Mitta is a quiet little place heading up to Omeo that I would normally pass through. I stopped in at the General Store as it was dead and looked like it could use some custom. Wrong - the place was run off its feet and its coffee and cake special far surpassed anything I have had in a capital city. The baking was fresh from one of the fifty local residents.

Drop Box 5 - Jamieson, Licola Rd

So can you see it?

Photo is taken just 1m from box.

Do not underestimate this road and the time required to make your drop.

Allow 1:20 driving time from Jamieson, each way. The road sign says unsuitable for 2WD (in fact it says the road is closed but this is the winter snow closure sign dropped into place by accident), but take your time, watch for holes and you will be fine.

What are the chances?

20 people a year do the AAWT.

What is the probability I sit down to breakfast at the place I am staying and strike up a conversation with someone whose sister did it last year.

The chance has to be millions to one.

Annie, if you read this, congratulations on last year. Your sister described the
same dramas of track conditions, blackberries, and water shortage that
I faced. It has taken a lot out of me. Well done to you!

--
Sent from my mobile device

My Gosh, the noise is simply awesome!

Mechanical Swan?

Aussie Dropbear in natural environment!

At F1 GP

Start 40 mins away.

Check this out!

I knew I had lost some weight, the hip belt had less and less spare webbing, but sub 60 is crazy. I started at 63.1 so a 4kg loss is substantial. The weight has been lost from the arms and from the chest where ribs can be seen like I've been in a labour camp.

Supporting the Swans in Melbourne

Swans ahead 36 to 28 at half time. Heading to the F1 GP tomorrow.

Day 29

21k, finished just before 1pm. Looking up the Thomson River from the Iron Bridge. A straight forward day with the pleasant surprise that the distance was 4k shorter than Sisemans guide indicates. I did come through a section of track that was closed due to fire damage (how I missed the 'track closed' sign I can not understand). Most of it has already been cleared with a small dozer but there was a 300m section that was rather hairy. Was very excited to reach Walhalla but disappointed that I could not locate the start /finish sign. Still I had arrived and made my way to the cafe for a bite to eat and a coffee. On learning I had done the entire AAWT the lady at the cafe was astounded, I was only the second she had met in two years. She was able to offer shower facilities which were gratefully accepted. At the cafe were a couple passing through and mentioned they were heading home to Mel. I pleaded my case for a lift which they were happy to help me out with. More on that shortly. Very happy to be finished and back in civilisation.

What goes around, comes around.

Back to Day 27, the morning after Ross, the trail bike rider has
helped me out by collecting water for me. 9 in the morning and 300m
up a very steep fire trail, and guess what I find - the tool bag. So
I put it in the backpack and try to remember the town he came from and
think about how I can possibly track him down. I had a few ideas when
20 min later I could hear that familiar popping and growling of a
trail bike in the distance. 10 min later Ross arrived and I was able
to return his favour - $150 of kit so he was happy. He has very
recently sold his family farm. They have moved to their holiday home
at Aberfeldy to rest and recover from 20 years of hard yakka, and
consider the next move. In the meantime he is having fun exploring
this historical gold mining area on his bike. For those that know it
is a KTM 530 modified with a long range tank and heavy duty
suspension.

--
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One very happy chappie!

Star Hotel in the background. The cafe to the right had just one pie left and it had my name all over it! Even better - a HUGE slice of chocolate cake!

Unbelievable but this tiny cafe was able to offer a shower. How good did that feel?

Lake Thomson

Mel water supply looking like a puddle.