Day 6
From 1900 we ventured uphill immediately and immediately it was! First thing in the morning straight uphill is not easy and there wasn't too much morning chatter as we all tried to get our legs moving and keep our breathing under control.
Once we reached the highest peak on the Kokoda Track, Bellamy Hill at 2200m, we walked down to Templetons Crossing 1 for a short break where we purchased passionfruit, chicken Twisties and Coke from the father and son locals.
After morning tea we crossed the gushing river and headed straight up hill again. Having to walk up hill immediately after a break or first up is a killer but like every other time, we don't complain (well not out loud anyway), we just put one foot in front of the other. Templetons Crossing 2 was our destination for lunch and just short of two hours later we made it. We all felt it came about rather quickly as we talk about every possible subject life brings, there is nothing left untouched!
We enjoyed the best lunch so far of noodles, fritters, pineapple, baked beans and spaghetti. After lunch we headed up yet another hill although, this one wasn't quite as dramatic. We had a 3 hour walk to get to the end of our day. Some of us were struggling with sore knees and headaches so it felt like a long 3 hours. Jo's left knee is the size of an elephant. It's terrible to watch her in pain when we head down hills.
Before our final decline into Euro Creek we stopped by a pit holding grenades collected from various spots along the Track to show us what the soldiers used to try and fight off the enemies close range.
Tonight's life stories were from Grace and Shay and they were both excellent. We really are getting to know so much about each other and you can see friendships being developed just beautifully every step of the way.
As we bunker in for the night it is pouring rain and quite cold so everyone has all of the warm clothes they brought along on and we have once again gone to bed before 8 pm.
We left our camp at 1900 at our usual departure time of 6.15 am. Most of us were wide awake by 4.30 am so we were once again on time which made our Trek Master Greg happy, maybe besides the youngest of the crew, Adam who didn't have his boots on as we were about to leave....he loves to leave his pluggers on as much as possible!
We had another big day of 9 hours of walking ahead of us.
Once we reached the highest peak on the Kokoda Track, Bellamy Hill at 2200m, we walked down to Templetons Crossing 1 for a short break where we purchased passionfruit, chicken Twisties and Coke from the father and son locals.
After morning tea we crossed the gushing river and headed straight up hill again. Having to walk up hill immediately after a break or first up is a killer but like every other time, we don't complain (well not out loud anyway), we just put one foot in front of the other. Templetons Crossing 2 was our destination for lunch and just short of two hours later we made it. We all felt it came about rather quickly as we talk about every possible subject life brings, there is nothing left untouched!
Wacko must have been walking with his eyes closed as we have been walking through choko vines since we started and he only realised today 'how many choko vines there are'. Donna is having a field day ripping him off!
The decent into Euro Creek was steep and yes there was more mud and more falls! It's a beautiful camp area and we later learned from Greg that during the war it was an occupied village however, as there were many lives lost here as the wounded were brought to the camp, it became known to the locals as Blood Creek. Nobody lives here now as there was so much death here and they are superstitious that it is not a good place to live. We can see the big hill across the river we will be starting with tomorrow so we will have to stay positive to get the legs moving and the head right.
The Sheriff for today was Wacko and he decided he wanted us to clap the porters in and out of our stops along the way which we did and got great thrill from it. We also had to think of the things we are missing most from home and I can assure you that family members were very high on everyone's lists as well as beer, beds and baths!
Tonight's life stories were from Grace and Shay and they were both excellent. We really are getting to know so much about each other and you can see friendships being developed just beautifully every step of the way.As we bunker in for the night it is pouring rain and quite cold so everyone has all of the warm clothes they brought along on and we have once again gone to bed before 8 pm.
The days are counting down so I look forward to keeping you all posted tomorrow on our last big day before the final day!
Ali x
