Episode 9 – where did Frances go?
We’ve lost Frances! She was last seen in the wilds of the Otways, laughing hysterically at having got out of this week’s training session. If found, please return before next weekend.
The remaining three team members, and the majority of the support crew, trained on the trail again, walking the first 3 sections, Jells Park to Ferny Creek, which is approximately 38 km. While we’ve done all of these sections before, we were redoing them as we did Jells Park to Lysterfield Lake as our very first training session and there’s been a lot of walking since then. Unlike last time, it was, rather pleasantly, not 34 degrees. The flat bits were flatter, the lake was sploshier, the kangaroos were jumpier, the hill was … no, it was just as steep, but required less rest stops.
★ The Start – Checkpoint 1 (12.5km) Jells Park Conference Centre to Churchill National Park
★ Checkpoint 1 – Checkpoint 2 (9.5km) Churchill National Park to Lysterfield Lake Picnic Area
★ Checkpoint 2 – Checkpoint 3 (15.5km) Lysterfield Lake Picnic Area to Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve
No icypole this time, but lunch with our support crew at Lysterfield Lake, and we were ready to tackle the Belgrave section. Lysterfield Lake to Ferny Creek via Belgrave has lots of uphill sections, and those stairs, but we waved to Puffing Billy again, and the driver waved back, we even discovered a pleasant tasting gel; rhubarb and custard (this is a major feat!), and we did not have to climb over a single tree. Hillclimb Track out of Belgrave to Ferny Creek was our obstacle course last time, but they’ve cleaned the track up and we had nothing to distract us from the steepness of the climb. Hmmm, pros and cons to the obstacle course. Anyway, with nothing to climb we were faster up the track and surprised our support crew by coming in to Ferny Creek much earlier than anticipated.
We had a fabulous support crew, thank you guys, you were so efficient and organised and encouraging. With both the walking team and the support team training together we’ve got so many things worked out, we’re almost ready for the big day. Which is good really, as there’s only 3 weekends left before the Trailwalker event is on for real.
Next weekend, night walking.
Cheers, Tracy
Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne – 100 km – teams of 4 – 48 hours
To read more about my team go to Team 672 : We’re doing what?
