The overland track

It's a doddle they said . Like walking up Bourke street with a view. Although you start to feel a little concern when every young flippity jibbitts in the back packing shops start to look concerned about how much you are refusing to carry. 

Class system on the track the privates the guideds and us. ( the battlers who are doing it real hard) . We love to hate the privates with their freshly showered bodies and their secret hideaway huts with cooks and bathrooms . We learn to love the guideds though  .Their cute young leaders were happy to share advise on distances and back pack balance when one's walking partner got totally sick of you asking yet again how far now ? 

The over coats and thermals we packed turned out to be only good as pillows as the weather was so hot but as a repeat overlander pointed out at least  the sunny days meant you got to see something. 

The first days climb upto Marion's lookout we were told was going to be the hardest day and that little chain climb was challenging however it was really only the start of it . 

As we got away from the day tripper crowds ( they don't even rate a mention on our class system dynamic ) our packs were not getting any lighter and those hills kept coming . We decided the cradle mountain ascent definitely wasn't for us ( we had struggled to the starting point) we just had to struggle onto the first nights hut at waterfall valley. Soft grass and leeches were the pinnacle of the first nights camping. Taking our  pre cooked sausages and fresh tomatoes and carrots was genious as no one could raise a finger to cook. The soft grass felt like heaven as fell in to a restless and restful sleep that lasted about an hour.

The next days walk to  Windemere hut was much shorter. The morning was very nippy so we were a little reluctant to leave our sleeping bags ( big mistake ) inspite of reported wombat sightings . The slog was just as hard and the sun was soon beating over head. The views across the plateau were tremendous. ( why can't I fly?) the wild flowers glorious and the swim in the side trip lake Will was invigorating. 

But after that my pack seemed to have doubled in weight and the hut seemed to take forever to come . Camped on a platform tonight we got to meet some of our fellow travellers -  the girl creeped out by spiders, the barefoot family, the funny boxer man, the over enthusiastic teen     Hiker  , the scary shade hogging ladies and  the wine loving yuppies . The First impression sometimes not that accurate when heat stroke is warping your point of view so we are reserving judgement ( not ) until I can manage to keep my eyeballs open without the aid of a match stick ( and after swim in that beautiful  camp side Windemere lake) 

Drugs and an early leave time were the order of the day for the walk to Pelion hut. Another longer walk with a big hill in the middle . Food still weighing our packs  down but an opportunity to get rid of more at the lunch stop on the beautiful  frog s flat river crossing . We Camp at recently built Pelion hut in the evening desperate for a swim . Beautiful Water holes near bye but 

swimming banned so a bit of a hike to the nearest swimming hole before we collapse into  bed. 

The fourth day we head for Kio Ora creek . By pass opportunity to climb mount Ossa  ( we  realise that walking from hut A to B is killing enough) we are now heading into forest country and so the spiteful sun no longer is blazing down on us. A beautiful camping spot with deck over looking the valley. ( our troup claimed it as our own  ) thundering Waterfalls in ear shot . The shreaks of people hitting the cold water is very enticing . (Watch out for sharp rocks though - first time we had to actually use our first aid kit for something other than cutting nails and feeding our over the counter drug addictions.  Sleep and a swim is the order of the day. 

Kio Ora to windy ridge via some beautiful waterfalls side trips well worth a look and a swim . Onto the so called state of the art Windy  ridge hut. ( not sure why the main room is so dark) starting to smell home ( or atleast the Narcissus  bay ferry stop) not much food left. We can't blame the food any more for weighing down my pack ( desperate for some unmelted chocolate or a steak sandwich with the lot.) 

Conversation pieces 

Quick dry verus wool undies  dehydrated food brands versus 2 minute noodles the boarding of the track ( I hung out for every single one. ) best swimming spot  ( any where you could get wet) composting toilets ( is it possible to have good and bad ones) the style of your pack ( they all feel hideous). How far is it now ( only out of ear shot of your own partner) boots versus thongs when heading to swim hole ( the snake suggest  boots to me  ) what drugs that? ( Panadol versus neurofin versus anything that makes the pain go away . 

The quick dry undies not so quick dry in the night dampness ( ordinary cotton ones dry on the line at home in half hour

Discover some long lost mutual friends when conversation hits as we wait for ferry ( first time able to speak in 5 days) 

A lovely spot to wait and another quick swim fitted in. Looking forward to the Lake St Clair kiosk and toilets ( a little disappointing actually but bush fires knocking out your power can be a problem ( too  busy hoeing into hot chips and fizzy drink to check out trip advisor ) thank god the last lug of the pack is to the bus stop ( and brother in law threw it in the trailor for me - yippee!