Torrens Trek

This weekend will be a hectic one with food drop offs planned at South Gap, Pernatty & Bosworth Stations. The boxes are ready to go except for wrapping in wire and a last minute stashing of toilet paper.....knew there was something I had forgotten to put in!!
The managers of the stations have been fantastic it's great to deal with such helpful people, what a difference it makes. Hopefully I can get all those food stashes buried in the appropriate places. The top end of the lake will be easier because of less distance to travel to and it's familiar home turf.

Waterproof waders are for fishing aren't they? Not only. They are also for any Lake Torrens Trekkers who prefer dry tootsies.

Food drops 3 & 4 completed, only 1 hour of highway travel and 11 hours off road this time. Bosworth Station owner Max Greenfield gave us some helpful local knowledge, and was kind enough to give a generous donation. Thanks Max. The fourt...h food stash had to be covered in rock as you can see in the pic, burying it was just not possible. Next top photo is a view of Andamooka Island from Bosworth food drop 4 and view from food drop 3. That was after a detour as I was so busy enjoying the scenery I was giving directions to campsite 12 instead of 11 and we were halfway there before I realised. Just as well my friends are patient!!! 

Picked up the cart from the engineering company today, and did the 2nd test run.  The first build wasn't steering well and it still needs work. The wheels are brilliant and you would hardly know you are pushing 50kg of gear on the flat.  On gentle slopes I can push the 50kg by myself.  Steep slopes or steep sandhills would be a problem so plan B is to take one cart instead of 2 and reduce the water we are carrying we would then have 3 people to push and pull it.  However I put in plans for another type of cart which should be finished by the weekend for a test I am not convinced the first one is going to handle the rough terrain. Then I will have to sit down and rack my brains and discuss it with the crew as to which is the best option. Getting close to the wire now.

One of the sandhills we would have to go around not over. We have to watch where we're walking and not rush over sandhill crests keeping an eye out for those sudden drop offs.

28/7/14

In 8 days our shiny new hiking boots will commence an endurance test attached to two very vertically challenged slightly eccentric women and one not so eccentric man who is an example to the truth of the phrase “Eat up all your veges and you will grow up big and strong.”  We will be faced with many challenging decisions such as shall we have the “Three cheeses noodle pack” for tea tonight or the “Four cheeses noodle pack. We may also have to deal with conflict if it is discovered that blocks of chocolate come with an even no. of squares not an odd number. Who is going to get the last square?  And through all of this we wish to ask you our supporters a favour.  Would you spread the word to all and sundry to boost our fundraising efforts.... you could ask your dentist’s receptionist’s third cousin, The lawnmower mechanic, the local schools tiddly winks team, or the neighbour’s carrier pigeons to spread the word and donate. So thank you for all your support so far and please help us in this venture so that we can make the fundraising a success. 

cheers

Bron

1/07/2014

The three stooges have at last rendezvoused at the Andamooka base. Malinda-Ro and mascot Dali (the dog) have observed the three trekkers fashion parading their waders to much mirth and merry making. Susie looked quite spectacular in her waders while wearing a dress and her dance performance was quite "innovative". They look much better when the feet are facing the right way. Bron and Oli were seen trying to outdo each other with a display of their knives. Bron with her Ms Crocodile Dundee knife and Oli with his Bear Grylls knife. Now for a good nights rest before a continuation of preparing our kits and debating what will stay and what will be left behind.

cheers

Bron