Trek 5 19 - 23 May 2014

19 May 2014

Day 1 of a trek is always hectic, moving camps and preparing swags etc for the guests. Although the instructions advise the trek kicks of at 4pm, and guests can arrive from 1.30, we are not ready for arrivals at 10.30, which is when our new guests arrived!

Karen was dispatched to chat while Paul and I set things up, well Paul delivered the wagon and left Alice and I to it, I am pleased to say I am getting on top of the organisation and had nibbles and wine ready, and all the prep for dinner done by 4pm.

Unpacking at Mayo's Hut

Karen and I had picked up Alice in Port Augusta yesterday. Alice is the photographer for the school trek later in the year and is joining us to get "the lie of the land"  as well as lending a very capable pair of hands.

Our new guests Angela from the Sunshine Coast and her sister Anita from Germany are quite besotted with the camels, making it clear they want to ride as much as possible. Now I am learning more and more about these creatures all the time, and know how important it is to look after their feet. While camels do have toe nails the sole of there foot is a large gelatinous pad, adapted for sand not for rock. When we are climbing steep hills or encounter sharp rocks it is time for the guests to walk....

 20 May 2014

A leisurely start to the day today after the "signature breakfast", it always gets a good reaction, so I guess it is a winner.

Sandwiches packed and the group headed off for the day. I stayed behind and generally pottered about. Jeff cousin to station owner Peter did some maintenance about the hut including paving to the longdrop for the upcoming church picnic. I reckon this would have to be the best long drop I have seen in all my travels.

Tonight Luke became unwell with the virus that Sara had a few days ago, so Karen and the kids departed to their camp so as not to disturb the guests overnight.


21 May 2014

The group was ready to go early, lunches made we hit the track about 9am, I decided to walk also up the "Sky Road", Angela and Anita had walking poles and kindly lent them to me when they weren't riding, mine being in the paj in Hawker. I also bought another set along for the last trek, to lend to guests and it struck me that set was in Pete's car.

Karen decided to keep Luke home from school and have a quiet day catching up on bookings and admin work.

Alice

Angela and Anita

All in blue

Snowy

 There was a bit of "off and on" due to the terrain, which involves telling the camels to sit, applying the "handbrake" a leather strap that fastens about a front leg so that the camel cannot stand unexpectedly. Camels I have learnt are quite clever about the understanding of a 12 year old, cows I have been told rate at a 6 year old, and sheep 3, not sure how this is determined but........

I took a trip into "town" Hawker to pick up the paj which was supposedly ready, only to be told they were bashing out the fuel tank, apparently I had reversed up an embankment and crushed the tank which cut off the fuel line, maybe that was the problem all along but the turbo boost thingy would have been next, all in all I am pleased the turbo thing is replaced.

Karen and the children joined us for dinner, Luke immeasurably improved. Tonight was chow mein night always a favourite with Paul.

Karen feeding Zaki from the veggie scraps

22 May 2014

The sunrise was colourful and the light just right.

 I would like to know what I am doing as I am sure if I chose a different setting my photos would be better...

Sunrise

Anita

Angela

I said my farewells early as I needed to leave the group today so that I could return to Adelaide to attend my first aid course tomorrow. I organised dinner for Karen to cook I collected my belongings which were in three separate locations. Peter drove me into town and I was on the road by 3.45.

Group shot - more blue!

Camels heading out