Farewell Party

Sunday afternoon we had a little get together with friends to have a little Sangria (which was mighty fine I must say!) and show everyone what we are doing, taking etc. Of course, because we were not walking it looked like rain!!!! Lovely afternoon with good friends....we had a few tips on what we should be wearing from some of them...check out the photos!! Amy and Daniel made us a beautiful cake.. Amy noted that the colours were the wrong way round..but it did not matter :)

We both really had a wonderful afternoon and feel very lucky to have such supportive family and friends :)

Now we are just both working this week..Chris finishes 5.30pm Saturday!!! Then we leave Sunday Morning..Have just found out that where we are staying in London is apparently a "Doll's House"!!!! and not a good one at that!!! oh well...all part of the adventure we say...

Last weekend in Australia :)

Just thought we would have a little update on what is happening with us :)

No walking this weekend..and of course it RAINED!!!! Busy buying Spainish flags and ingredients for Sangria for our farewell party tomorrow :)

We are very lucky to have lots of friends and family who are very happy for us and our upcoming adventures..so we are all getting together tomorrow for a  little celebration. Watch here for the photos :)

We are going to have our packs and everything we are taking so all can have a look...

Last minute anxious thoughts..leaving family, will all be ok? hope everyone is safe while we are gone...what are we doing!!!! but we know all will be ok..we hope  :)

Adios

Last big walk before we leave :)

Sunday morning 7.00 we arrive at Mt Warning. Had rained the night and day before so thought we might get lucky and be able to try our wet weather gear...but no..sun out and clouds gone. We have decided that this is  sign it will not rain in Spain!!!

Thought we would just go slow today and we did....very easy. Our packs had almost everything in, felt fine.

As we got nearer the top, the wind picked up and clouds came swirling around..but no rain..only drops off the trees from night before!!

Decided to go all the way and climb up the chain to the summit. Not many people there this week. We did pass quite a few people coming down who had been up there for sunrise..one group very happy, carrying table and chairs??!!!! There had been a marriage proposal in that group :).

Had drink and rest up the top then came slowly down again. Passed a few people and they said "you look fresh" "you look happy"!! Felt like we had not even walked when we finished, just a bit tired from getting up so early!

Only had a few leeches today and saw a worm??? photo here, striped one.

Drove into Murwillumbah to get a coffee and guess what.... It poured!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not for long though.

Now we are just getting organised for our farewell drinks next Sunday..yipeeee

17sleeps to go!!

Not long till we go now..just checking that we have everything..mmm1 pair of shorts, 1 pair of pants, 2 tee shirts, 2 long sleeve tops, 2 pairs of undies, 2 bras, jacket,beanie..set for 6 weeks..how easy is that!!!!

One more walk this weekend, thought we might do Mt Warning again. Hope we don't get leeches like we did at Mt Nimmel!!

Mt Nimmel to Polly's Kitchen walk

Sunday 15th March

Setting out to do one of the tracks we did in 2006 when training for Kokoda Challenge in Gold Coast Hinterland. Have a look on google earth to see the track.. It is about 24 kms..up hill and down..and yes we had forgotten just how long and

 steep those hills were ( I just did not look up!!!) We started at 6.00 am not too hot but expected to get to 30 degrees today. There were 12 of us..lots of fun!! Chris and I did not wear our packs as we knew we would be walking faster than we will be in Spain. We had our smaller camelbaks with a bit of food as well as water. In the photo that is Chris and I at the back!! We did not want to go too fast so the others waited for us, usually at the top of a hill! BUT...I have to add...we both found out that we could get up Monday morning and do it all again and a lot of the others had  sore quads,feet etc..so we were very happy with that.. :) ..(not that they were sore..but that we could back up the next day!!!!!)

It took us 6 1/2 hours..24 kms...... 

We both had a clothing issue..we have icebreaker tee shirts and they were DRIPPING!!!  did not feel uncomfortable ..looked ..WET!!! but they did dry and we could have worn them the next day..but as they are red and crimson the moisture shows up straight away!!! Chris's shorts looked like she had first of all wet her pants!!...then jumped in the pool!!! I think the shorts are staying home but the shirts will be ok!!!!

No problems with our feet,,very happy to say..sore toes when i took my boots off, but fine the next day.

So another walk done...2 1/2 weeks till we leave..a few more walks to go :)

Past this property on the way..mmmm were we in Spain already???

Mt Warning

This morning Chris did the Triathlon. I slept in and  opted to climb Mt Warning with Annie and Pete, who are training for Kokoda in April. Now I have done this walk quite a few times over the years, it is 4.4kms up, in the rainforest, easy path for a lot of the way, then rocks etc on the path nearer the top.This means your looking down most of the time. The  end is a steep climb with a chain to hang on to till you reach the top. My pack at the moment is about 7kgs i think.

It was ok going up, but have to say coming down was not quite as comfortable. I picked up a stick after a while so i could steady myself a bit!! I was stuffed by the time I finished, which i have to say surprised me!!! Just have to keep doing some more!! Maybe I should have done the Tri instead!!

mid week walk

Tuesday afternoon leaving work..raining yay!! We can get to try out our gear and see what happens in the rain..... no such luck..1/2 hour later, boots and backpacks on, walking down Bilambil hill in the sunshine, we were attacked by mozzies!!!!!!! And I do mean attacked!!! They just swarmed on us..warm and steamy getting bitten on every bit of flesh that was not covered!! we turned around and went along another road instead of going along the water (where MORE mozzie live!!) But the little blighters stayed with us!!!  We got to the top of the hill, bites all up our arms, then thought we would just go home. But then decided to just do a bit more. Ended up doing 1 and 1/2 hours. 

SO.. we are never walking in Bilambil again after rain!! Did other training this morning, boxing, stairs etc to strengthen up the body. Not sure what long walk we are doing next.

Hoping for more rain to test things out. Trying to decide whether or not to get a poncho??

30 sleeps till we leave, getting excited now.