End 2 End 5 Gerkie's Gap to Webb Gap

The pre-walk oration

With a hot day forecast, it was an early start, with wakey wakey at 6.00AM for a 7.00Am departure. This of course meant dealing with the previous night's hangovers, having breakfast, undertaking ablutions, getting ready for the walk and packing the car.
Finally, all readied, caffiened and paracetomolled up we were off, in convoy, following Russell though Saddleworth, Manoora, Waterloo and finally to meet the bus at Webb Gap. Along the way we picked ups some strays, notably Vicki with Jack and motor bikes in tow, David and Jannette.
At the meeting spot, with some consternation, I found I had left my CamelBack in the fridge at Riverton. Russell then realised he had left some of his water bottles there also. And we call ourselves leaders!!
In the bus, the sun streaming through the windows, predicted a hot day.
A brief oration from Russell, and then off to our first real hill of the weekend, Gerkie's Gap, and our first real taste of the Tothill's, nice road reserves, with plenty of stiles or cocky's gates to negotiate.
Frequent rendezvous with Michelle ensured hydration was taken care of, with the mercury rising steadily, as the morning progressed.
Morning tea at Zadow Road, with Weston Wagon Wheels as the treat of the day, continuing the Country and Weston Theme!
Then the short slog up Smith Hill to admire one of the Friend's new tanks, installed only a few weeks ago, unfortunately yet to have any water.
The views from Smith Hill across to the wind turbines were pretty good, though we lingered only briefly in the heat.
 

It was then a lot of "Walkers Follow the Fence" until Margaret tried to scalp herself (fitting for a western theme) with a branch, and had the blood to prove it. Much sopping and Betadining later, and with some repairs to John's feet, we were off once again.
An early lunch was called as the head injury and heat had taken their toll of Margaret who was feeling "off" and the cavalry was called to undertake a rescue, which Michelle managed with finesse.
It was then the final slog in 37 degree heat to the cars and a cleansing ale for those that had an Esky AND an ale.
Some headed back to the Manoora Pub for a drink, some headed to the Wheatsheaf, and some just headed, well....home.
In spite of the heat, a great weekend, and the prelude for many more to come on our adventure towards Parachilna.
 

Penultimate E2E 5 Peters Hill to Gerkies Gap.

Curio, the rodeo legend!



And so we come to the second last walk of the season, and the second weekend away for the E2E5'ers.
The Riverton Caravan Park seemed to have the nod, as most of the early arrivals seemed to arrive there.
After some initial confusion, the cabin allocation took place with us all in pretty close together, great for the obligatory predinner Happy Hour's.
Not all walkers were in the CP and not all took the Friday afternoon off, nevertheless, the early arrivals took themselves off for a dinner at the Riverton Hotel, followed by the obligatory post dinner drinks.
Then occurred the "bra" incident, when on the way back from the showers I discovered a black object on the path, that materialised into a bra. Realising fairly quickly it didn't fit, too small, I was obliged to find the rightful owner, which I soon did, to hoots of laughter from the lossee and her cabin mate.
Saturday dawned overcast and rather threatening as we gathered at the meeting place, Gerkie's Gap. There was some consternation initially as it appeared, we had some walkers absent, including the Cameron Clan,  however dust on the horizon soon materialised in  to the latecomers and Michael, the bus driver,  had us on our way.
The Country & Western theme had fooled some, as there was not much "theme" in evidence, though a horse and some suitable hats made their appearance.
At the start point, Russell gave the pre-walk oration, quickly followed by Vicki with the Heysen HotShots award (see HotShots page), deservedly won by Esther, for her return to her Haight Ashbury days, as a hippy. Special mention to Peter Wynen for letting his hair down for the occasion.
It was then off, up Pfitzners Road, with the weather continuing to look ominous, until it actually started to rain, leading to the appearance of umbrella's (suitable) and rain jackets (unsuitable). The rain failed to dampen spirits. In fact it failed to dampen anything, it was so brief!.
Passing St Agnes Catholic Church and cemetery, made pause for a detour to examine the old graves and the fine stained glass in the church. A poignant reminder of former times.

Then off to the Marrabel Hotel where the ice-cream fanatics bought out the pub's entire stock of Golden North and some even had a beer, in spite of the early hour.
Across the road was Curio, the rodeo legend, whom I gather was unrideable. No wonder with that bloody rod shoved up his bum.
We then followed a series of back roads, inexorably heading for the south Tothills, along Aunt Sue's Road (who was Aunt Sue) and lunch, where we were spoiled with strawberries and cream provided by Russell and Chris. What a treat!!
After lunch a relatively brief walk to the cars, in ever increasing heat and a mad dash back to the Marrabel for that cleansing ale or two.
I bet the licensee was pleased to see us! Best takings for a Saturday for years!
Home to the caravan park, shower and Happy (two) Hours, held at the woman's refuge. Well there seemed to be lots of women taking refuge there anyway.
Well oiled, we finally made our way to the Riverton Bowling Club, luckily a hop, step and a jump away.
At the Bowling Club a variety of interpretations of the Country and Western theme made their appearance including Chief Dribbling  Stream.
There we were, fed by the Bowling Club, watered by the Bowling Club, who still do the butcher of port,  and entertained by the Purcell Dancers.

 

Dancing over, most scurried back to their various abodes, for sleep, with an early start looming, to beat the heat.
Some stalwarts retired to Peter Clark's for a distillery tour of Kangaroo Island, tasting some pretty exotic brews before wobbling off to hot cabins and bed.
 

The first weekend away Kapunda to Peter's Hill Day 2

A bad night's sleep for some, with an hour less, and for some due to intrusive music, yet again, from the local club.
It was chilly too, with the early start, frost on the ground and cold hands, however in spite of this all arrived ready for yet another day's AND it looked simply brilliant, blue sky and a charming mist.

Russell's Sunday Sermon
 

A shorter day was predicted, yet with some truly lovely walking, less road, more road reserve and even more off-track walking to be rewarded by views to blow the mind.
The first part of the morning we headed towards the Peter's Hill feature stopping to have a leisurely  morning tea on a road reserve before turning north  to walk parallel to it, past a new vineyard with an intriguing dam wall and some rather odd structures.

Are they art? or just large wood piles!

 A chat with the owners, whom Rob knew, failed to get an answer, though perhaps we didn't ask the question.
Soon after, began the initially sedate climb to Peter's Hill, followed by a more serious pull.
The reward, stunning views in every direction, west to Riverton and beyond and to the east, Marrabel and the Tothill Ranges (we will meet them again in another episode).

Peter's Hill can by sunny and windy, wet and windy, cold and windy BUT rarely warm and windless. We were blessed, as it was just that, with time to pause, catch out breath, fill in the logbook and move on to Marschall's Hut for lunch.
Marschall's Hut, one of the gems of the Heysen Trail, providing overnight accommodation for walkers, with a tank, half full, and a proper sit-down dunny (put to good use).
A long lunch ensued, as we had plenty of time and only a short walk to our cars. Some took the time to check out the cemetery down the hill, whilst others just laid back and enjoyed the perfect spring day.
Of course a leisurely lunch deserves a steep climb to follow, and we had just that and then a short stroll, though waist high canola, to the cars.
Everyone survived their first weekend away AND in spite of some not sleeping well, had a good time and will come back for "Country and Western" based at Riverton ( a much quieter town) next month.
 

The first weekend away Kapunda to Peter's Hill Day 1

A new phase of E2E5 started this weekend with walking two days in a row AND our first weekend away.
Kapunda was our base and a number of walkers arrived on Friday afternoon, to get around the Saturday morning rush.
The more intrepid camped at the Kapunda Caravan Park, whilst others braved the cabins and a very noisy party adjacent, eliciting terse text messages to the caravan park management at midnight.

Russell gives the words of the day

The gathering point quickly filled with cars, the bus however beat us all there. There were the last minute directions over the phone  for some who had failed to update their ICN systems (that failed to recognise the new Northern Expressway). and we were off, back to Kapunda with 37 walkers.

Back in Kapunda and debussed, Russell gave the walk briefing of the day and Vicki after some deliberation presented the Heysen Hotshots to me, for my attack of German Measles the previous walk. She does make special mention of Peter Clark for providing the group with Bee-sting  for morning tea and Dana Florea for the six pack of German beer she carried until lunch then shared with us all. Much worthier recipients really.

Then it was off, out of Kapunda, over a fine stone bridge that spans Ross Creek, along back roads for quite some way until at last hitting a road reserve and some off-road walking.

We paused briefly near a ruin and bee-hives where quite a number of the girls made a dash for cover for a comfort stop, prior to us breaking out onto back roads again.

Some interesting back roads, Vogt Road, Holthouse Road, Black Joes Road then Bridges Road until we hit some more pleasant road reserve and finally rested for lunch on Lights Hummocks.
The bag of jelly snakes had been left back in the car, however I was able to sub with jelly mini-dinosaurs distributed with a blessing from the "Rose".

  

From there, a quick walk along more back roads, through lush fields, past inquisitive cows with gender disorder and back to the cars.
A quick drink at the musically orientated Wheatsheaf Hotel at Allendale North and then a scramble for the showers and happy hour at Cabin 11, no 12, Vicki was confused.
Happy hour brings out the extroverts and show offs and this evening was no exception.

The hippest of the hip!!

Unfortunately, I must confess, being somewhat subdued in my attire, being over-shadowed by Peter Wynen with his hair out (a sight not very often seen) and a variety of "Flower Power" outfits including some rather hip hippies.
Dinner at the Sir John Franklin followed with a repast of varying quality, certainly not up to the standard of many of the community organisations, who have fed us on previous End to Ends.
With daylight saving causing a loss of an hour's sleep and an early start, there was a hasty retreat back to camp and bed, however not all succumbed to the sack, and went on to have post prandial coffee, chocolates and port.

Tanunda to Kapunda

A great day greeted us at Kapunda, with clear skies and a wind that wasn't too cold.

The troops gather

The German theme was evident in some, German WW1 coal scuttle helmets and rather esoteric in others, a man with red spots on his arms and face. We had Gretchen, a hamburger, a Porschota and some German bells that soon drove most of us mad (and were silenced).
A quick trip across the Barossa to the start point at Smyth Road, where the group had finished the previous month.
Quickly, the Heysen HotShot was announced, a close tussle between one who forgot the Roses chocolates and the one who actually brought them, Carol Homewood, who became the winner.

Carol parades her trophy.
 

Then the briefing form Russell, which was true to form brief and we were off.
The walk covers lots of back roads and road reserves and could not truly be called bush walking, and so it was.
Liebig Road, then Roennfeldt Road, and it was here we stopped for morning tea, opposite a wine barrel store.

Morning tea

Peter, the providore, miraculously presented the party a variety of fresh German cakes for our prediction. And mightily enjoyed they were.
From morning tea it was all downhill to the new works around the Sturt Highway, through the underpass, with its odd footpath, that Vicki managed to negotiate and on to Greenock where the leader made the mistake of announcing the presence of a toilet. This led to most of the female members of the party vanishing and staying vanished for quite some time. Some even disappeared into the pub!
Finally, all corralled and we were off, along more of the road reserves, this time north of Greenock.
Finally, we managed to get onto a road reserve that almost looked like a walking track, until this popped us out beside a vineyard.
There was some confusion amongst the leaders as the Trail markers seemed to disappear, and in true fashion, they announced lunch to avoid having to deal with the problem!



Lunch proved just how resourceful people can be, when Dana produced from a six pack of German bear, cold, and proceeded to deliver some to all the fathers on the walk. Even some non-fathers were able to participate.
Trail found it was off to finish the walk, with more road reserves, some crop dodging and walking past the highest trail marker on the entire Trail (tall enough to reach above crops).
Our reward a Golden North delivered by our support drive, Michelle Foster and then back on the Trail skirting some pretty impressive erosion gullies until we re-joined those damn road reserves, however these were special.
Why? Well the planting along them are part of the original Friends Greening group efforts of about 20 years ago and it was delightful to walk down an avenue of trees  many 6-10 metres high. Just shows what can be done with a little effort.
Then into Kapunda, past the rifle range, the old Kapunda mine and back to the cars.
How far? 26.6 km over 6 hours and 30 mins.
This link leads you to my photos of the day.
I can certainly add a link to your, just let me know.
 https://picasaweb.google.com/115827045141699129695/TanundaToKapunda?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Problog

The Starters, Cape Jervis, May 2010

For those who know little or nothing about the Heysen Trail, this blog will provide a record of the progress of one group of like-minded people who set out on the journey from Cape Jervis in South Australia on Sunday 16 May 2010. As ‘friends’ of the Heysen Trail, the group known as End to End 5 has, to the time of the first publication of this blog, been walking together for almost 3 years. To date, walking has taken place on one Sunday each month but before the end of 2012, the group will begin a new chapter of progress and commence walking both Saturdays and Sundays (monthly) before ultimately walking on a multi-day basis as the target destination of Parachilna, in the State’s far north, is within reach.

The Heysen Trail is approximately 1200 kilometres long and passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in South Australia including that on private properties. Presently, The Friends of the Heysen Trail association has 4 groups walking the full length of the Trail. End to End 4 is currently approaching the upper mid north, End to End 6 is walking in the southern Adelaide Hills while End to End 7 started its journey earlier this year at Cape Jervis. All groups consist of approximately 40 to 60 people and a new group commences each year. Volunteer leaders support each group through organising transport, navigating the track and providing general advice and support along the way. Each group develops a personality of its own, with some having walking themes each month and others enjoying traditions of sharing particular foods during rest breaks – chocolate coated coffee beans, jelly snakes and Fruchocs to name but a few. Developing social links also helps when it comes time to organising ‘catch up’ walks – an inevitability over the time and distance involved.
End to End 1 started life as The Millennium Walk, suggested by David Beaton, in 1999, and lead by him and Julian Monfries. It started in 2000, initially with 44 walkers and finished 57 days and 5 years later with about 40 walkers completing the Trail. At one stage, the group got down to only twelve walkers and we thought when numbers dropped again, at the time week-ends away started, that the concept would die by attrition. How wrong we were!
End to End 2 was initially Millennium Catch-up Walk until it thought that Millennium had very little to do with it anymore and so became End to End 2 with that group finishing in 2008.
End to End 3 completed the Trail in August, 2011 with 53 walkers comprising the group.
There is an inherent danger in commencing to walk the Heysen Trail. A vague intention to walk periodically at convenient locations can quickly turn to an obsession with regular walking anywhere that the Trail leads. The passion for walking the Heysen Trail has been affecting walkers for over 25 years and there is no doubt that it will continue to do so.

For those who would like to learn more about The Friends of the Heysen Trail go to http://www.heysentrail.asn.au