November 2019 – Island Traverse

November 30, 2019May 2, 2020

Adamsfield and the Sawback Track

Day 20: 29 November 2019

We have looked forward to this stage since scouting it out last year. Some serious off-track navigation was required through the rugged southwest of the state. And it did not disappoint. A 26.7 km day covering a multitude of environments – spectacular deep rainforest, tea tree and wildflower-covered mountain slopes, button grass, the occasional swamp, some challenging river crossings, and patches of the ever-familiar dry sclerophyll forest. Even the weather shared the variety; a cold start at 3 degrees (gloves and beanies), sunny and warm at times (off with the jackets), and two or three rain showers with the requisite sou’westerly cold wind (back on with our waterproofs). All in all, a great day and one to remember.

November 29, 2019May 2, 2020

On the Florentine Road

Day 19: 29 November 2019

A beautiful cool day unfolded for our second day on the Florentine Forest Road. We had expected about 41 kms in total over 2 days but as we mentioned yesterday it ended up a bit longer with a blocked road preventing our car shuffle. So today we anticipated and ended up with a neat 21 kms.

November 28, 2019May 2, 2020

The other side of the Florentine

Day 18: 28 November 2019

It is 12 months since we did a reconnaissance trip through the Florentine valley scouting our proposed X-Tas route. That was before major bushfires raged in this area over the summer. We are yet to see the full devastation that they wrought but got a glimpse of the impact today. We had assumed – an unhelpful attitude at the best of times – that nothing else much would have changed.

November 26, 2019May 2, 2020

Staying Alive Party

24 November 2019

Today marked a year since Tim’s cardiac arrest on the side of Mount Roland. Tim decided he wanted to celebrate the day by firing up the pizza oven and inviting the people who saved his life – the French family, ambulance officers, and SES personnel. Family and close friends joined us.

Unbeknownst to Tim, Barbie arranged for a presentation of a certificate and pin commemorating twelve months’ survival following an out of hospital cardiac arrest.

November 23, 2019May 2, 2020

A bridge too far

Day 17: 22 November 2019

I could not contain a sense of joyful anticipation for this next stage as I worked on Thursday. Monday’s challenging walk, due to the distance we covered, was extremely encouraging, and the idea of getting to our destination is starting to feel real. There are also a couple of significant anniversaries this weekend. On this day last year, 23^rd November 2018, we began our pilgrimage. The following day was the day of Tim’s cardiac arrest. Tomorrow we celebrate Tim’s “Staying alive” day with ambulance officers and friends who worked together to enable him to make a full recovery. It has been fitting to be continuing our pilgrimage this weekend as well.

November 19, 2019May 2, 2020

Still Walking?

Days 15 and 16: 17 – 18 November 2019

We have set aside 2 weeks prior to Christmas for the final leg of our Tasmanian Traverse, the Port Davey and South Coast tracks. But with only 3 weeks to go prior to our starting date of 8^th December, we have still quite some distance to cover and only a few short windows of opportunity. We grabbed the first of these on Sunday afternoon after repainting the laundry (Merran) and giving a sermon (Tim). In 2 cars we drove to Derwent Bridge for the next section.