The boys were a little slower this morning, the cold setting in and their fingers working with a little less speed whilst packing. However, with some gentle persuasions from Paddy and Kate we were ready and on our way only 10 minutes later than planned.
Today would be our shortest trek, which would take us to a camp site called Charlie's Flat, a public campsite next to the river, ready for our paddle tomorrow. The start of the trek was flat and easy in comparison to the trek we all endured yesterday. During this time Paddy, Kate and I engaged in another game of 'Categories', with me frequently being accused of making up famous people from the UK as they hadn't heard of most of them!
Before long we were faced with the imminent uphill bush bash we had been anticipating during the easy, flat start to the day. This was Butt Crack Hill, at the top of which we would be having an early lunch due to there being no suitable opportunity during the rest of the trek.
The uphill bush bash was great fun, a little harsher on the calves than a flat trek, but with some fantastic views and great opportunity for Kate and Paddy to point out more interesting plants and wildlife - I am going to be an expert at this rate - there was even some talk of me eating a Bardi Grub but fortunately, despite great effort on Paddy's part, none could be found. Arriving at the top of Butt Crack Hill certainly made the uphill trek worth it, the setting was beautiful, the sun was out in all its glory and, having made good time, there was time after eating to lie down and take in the day.
After every meal in the bush, the boys are responsible for collecting all their rubbish, leaving no trace of us having been there being the main aim. The punishment, at the boys decision, for each piece of rubbish found is 10 push-ups. Today was no exception and Paddy counted as the boys performed. At least the rubbish count was reducing.
After a needed rest, it was time to set off down the other side of the hill, this time through slightly more overgrown surroundings. Again this was beautiful to experience, although at the time my legs weren't in full agreement. Upon reaching the bottom we had only a short, flat trek before arriving at Charlie's Flat at around 2.30 pm.
Prior to departing Kooringal on Friday, each of the boys had packed a bin bag with their 'river clothes' for their two day paddle down middle Murray. The reason for arriving so early at today's campsite was Mark was bringing these bags here so that the boys would have time to prepare for tomorrow, as in the morning it would be dark and cold and a lot harder for the boys to get organised quickly and efficiently for an 8 am start on the river. So, when we arrived, Kate and Paddy immediately instructed the boys to set up their tents and sleeping bags, place their 'river clothes' at the bottom of their tent and repack the bin bags with any clothes they wished to send back to Kooringal.
This organisation took the boys a couple of hours, during which we divided the food for the next two days into piles for the boys to pack (Mark had also delivered a food drop with the boys clothes). Dinner was the usual 5pm, by which time all the boys were set up and ready as planned. Tonight was steak stir fry, followed by self-saucing, golden syrup pudding; both a real treat. Paddy and Kate did the usual fire lighting after dinner, around which the boys would be given time to write in their journals and discuss their day. Tonight the boys were asked to discuss their orange; something sweet about camp, their lemon; something sour about camp and their banana; something they have learnt on camp. Again I found this really insightful, listening to the boys talk openly about their week and its key aspects, both good and bad.
After this the boys were again given the opportunity to stay up for games or go to bed, everyone of the boys chose bed - it was only 7.20 pm. Despite the early time, I soon followed suit and was settled in my sleeping bag and asleep well before 8 pm. Tomorrow would be our earliest, and coldest, start so far during the expedition and I wanted to be well rested in preparation for what I knew was going to be a very wet day.
