Aussie Camino Day 3 Part 8 : Back to Camp

By the time the rest reached then lake, the bus to picked us had also arrived. We were heading back to the camp for the night. There was another group that formed the tail of the trail but the bus driver couldn’t wait any longer as he was required to do another run to pick up school kids. The others were later picked up by Michael C.

This might not makes sense. There is no accommodation here. So we are transported back to Cape Bridgewater Camp. Then we will be back tomorrow to carry on from Lake Mombeong. Kalee ready to board

 

This is a school bus and it is a bully free school bus. Good on the driver!

It might be strange for us to go forward and then went backward i.e. back to the camp. The distance to cover to to the next town with accommodation would be physically punishing for most of the pilgrims. I think the next stop for a decent accommodation would be about 50km of walk for the day. That would be far too far!

Unlike the Camino in Europe, there are many small villages enroute and they are all within a comfortable walk range. In Australia, the facilities and infrastructure for the camino are virtually nil. We came back to the camp with a decent facilities like hot shower, a nice bed plus decent food and drinks at the kiosk. So, it doesn’t sound silly to gone forward and then backward.

Michael C have gone to Portland to pick up Peter, our second support crew member. As he was heading back into civilisation, we enthusiastically gave Michael C a few shopping lists ranging from cereals for breakfast, milk, bottled water to yoghurt and even a few bottles of red. Thank you Michael C.

This evening we gathered at the Bridgewater Bay Café for a group dinner.

 

 

It was Friday night and we have taken over the Café. Unbeknown to me, the Café is the hub and the life line of the small local community. Residents of about 50 household would come down to the kiosk on Friday night for a meal.

I can see why. The food was good, the operator like Scott was ever so helpful. Scott went to look for a phone charging cable and lend it to me as my phone battery was running low. When we were there, we found out that they have just been awarded Victoria No. 1 Café of 2014. They deserved the Award. There were two other added bonus for visitors like us. The views from the café is probably as good as it can get. On top of that, we got to use our phone and ipad/tablets as there was complimentary wifi from Scott. A wonderful place!

Luke and one of the backup crew, Michael C. planning the next day

We had a great dinner before retiring to the girls’ “Presidential Cabins” to watch a DVD : Walking the Camino – Six Ways to Santiago. It is a documentary capturing the experiences of six pilgrims as they attempt to cross the an entire country on foot with only a backpack. It is a “must watch” DVD in addition to the film “The Way” with Martin Sheen as the main character.

Watching a docmentary, Walking the Caminoto Santiago- 6 Ways, in the “Presidential Cabin”. L-R Michael C with Peter, Michael McC, Peggy, Chrissy, Dave. on the bean bags L-R Peter S, Jill, Luke

Tomorrow, we would be transported beyond Bridgewater Lakes to Lake Mombeong so that we can then be heading forward towards Nelson.

I was more exhausted today than yesterday. The heat did not help. However, I was wiser today with more water and adding gastrolyte (fizzy electrolyte tablets) into my drink. I thought it was a good idea to stay in the same camp for two consecutive nights.

Aussie Camino Day 3 Part 7 : Bridgewater Lakes

We were heading towards Bridgewater Lakes. We were trying to decipher from the guide book where to turn, inland. We came to a junction when we saw Jill. Apparently Jill had just walked extra kilometres beyond the junction where we were congregating holding a mini-conference to read the guide book i.e. to go along the shorelines or turn inland. Jill came to a conclusion that we have reached the turn off that would lead us to Bridgewater Lakes. The signage was not obvious and hence some confusion. Remember, we are the early pioneers of the Aussie Camino walk.

We hurdled together and made the excutive decision that we need to take the turn off and headed inland. It turned out to be the right decision. That was a great tips from Jill as we could all have ended walking the extra kilometers. It was another hot day and I did not have the capacity to explore new routes.

Once we turned off the cliff top, the terrain and vegetation changed with scrubs land and more sandy ground.

I was walking with Keelin and we both visibly tired from the terrain, the heat and the distance. We sensed that we were closed to the lake but it seemed to go on and on. When we saw and heard the water lapping against the bank of the lake, we knew that we must be near.

 

I was delighted to get to the lake. It was lovely to take off the shoes and socks and soaked the tired feet in the cold water.

Good fit, well worn shoes and right socks are the secrets in managing the feet. In this trip, I am wearing double socks. The other thing that we do every morning is strapping the feet, paying attention to hot spots. Thanks to Kalee for her supply of tapes.

This is a fresh water lake and the water was very clear. I was not prepared otherwise a swim in the lake would have been refreshing though the water might be cold while the air temperature was hot. It was a beautiful spot for a picnic , a swim and maybe catch a few fish for dinner. But not today.

Smiling Chrissy
Yes, that is her smiling all the time. Not only that she smiles, she can dance along the walk.

Aussie Camino Day 3 Part 6 : Enjoying the simplicity as a pilgrim

What was supposedly to be an easy walk today turned out to rather strenous and tiring. Either I was recovering from yesterday and the little sleep I had last night or it was a tougher terrain.

Blowhole below

 

 

We were also rewarded with the sighting of the seals on two different viewing platforms. They were very far down from the cliff top .

There were two different colonies of seals, Australian Fur Seal and New Zeland Fur Seal. They do not mix and have their own territory. Apparently this area has the largest seal colony on the Australian mainland.

 

Initially, I was powering away with ease. As the day went by, I was feeling the strain. There were few shades along the tracks for lunch. It was hot as the early summer heat was starting to build up. The beauty in walking along the coast line on cliff tops was the nice cool breeze. When you were on the trail, you need to be adaptable and opportunistic to find a shelter for a stop. As we were walking up and down the trail, when we turned the corner we saw a man under the bush. It was Dave. We were impressed with Dave’s ability to spot a cool shade under a bush. Before long, we applied the same skill and found a small spot for our lunch stop.

Dave is resting under a bush having his lunch and giving his feet a rest. Not far from here, we were supposed to turn off inland but John and Jill over shot and went for many extra kilometres. They waited for us along here to save our aching feet from any further torture. Thanks John & Jill.

 

Keeling heading in the right direction

Time to head to Bridgewater Lakes

I was quite unprepared by the amount of food (or rather  the small appetite during the walk) needed during the walk. I have organised a daily pack of snacks for the walk. Yesterday I hardly touched the lunch pack. Today, I was hardly hungry either. Maybe it was the adrenalin and the excitement. Maybe the body metabolism does not requires huge amount of food intake. After all,each body carries a huge reserve. So, a reduction of food/energy intake will not kill me. So far, I had two fruits (one apple and a banana) and a couple of protein bars with lots of fluids. For the trip, I even packed chewing gums, sour jelly lollies and other sweets like mints. I was totally unprepared for how little I need when I walked. It was a bit like the music thinking that I needed more. The simplicity of life as a pilgrim was starting to emerge : how little we need as a pilgrim. My bag was so heavy when I checked in at the Adelaide airport that I started to wonder whether my wife, Mary Ann , was right telling me that I was over packing. She might just be right. All all I need for the trip might be half of what I brought. And maybe half of hat again and then I would be closer to what a pilgrims need.

Talking about how much (luggage) is enough, a good source of information is talking to John. John travelled to Europe very lightly, as in luggage, of not more than 5kg with a back pack. He wear one set and carry a spare set. He applies the principle of layering to stay warm rather than carrying big coat etc. John will be sending his refined Camino Packing List which I will publish when I get them. I suspect that when I finished this camino, I would not be surprise to find out that the bulk of the stuff I brought were superfluous. To a chief 5kg might be a challenge. However, the message is about cutting down the weight to say 10% of the body weight (as a general rule ). I think  limiting it to about 7 or 8kg is about the comfortable limit.

Aussie Camino Day 3 Part 5 : In tune with nature

So far, it was an impressive walk with: spectacular cliffs top views, deep and steep cliff drops, very strong color of the blue sea, the pounding waves crushing on the rocks below the cliff tops. We also spotted kangaroos amongst the windmills. The terrain was undulating and was quite rocky in certain areas.

I have stopped listening to my music on my iphone after yesterday. It dawned on me that I should be open to the natural sound of around me as I tarvelled through this amazing southern land. Instead of listening to my thousands of pre-loaded music in my iphone, I was enjoying the peacefulness of the walk,  noticing the sounds from the wind and the blades from the wind mill, the waves far below us, birds singing and even the rythms of the footstep of the pilgrims.

This was my first pilgrimage and I was preparing music to keep me entertained thinking that I might be bored. It did crossed my mind that walking for 7 or 8 hours a day is a long time and there is time to be “filled”. I was wrong as time flew by quickly yesterday in the 33km walk. A few pieces at various part of the trip might be beneficial. For now, I am abandoning my music which my son, Ren, have bought and down loaded from Spotify. I have such a great collection (to be precise there are about 3000 pieces of various genres in my iphone and that would probably last the 1500km walk from Le Puy en Velay in France to Camino de Santiago in Spain). I will still listen to them later, but not on this journey as nature is providing me with its own unique sweet sounds.

Aussie Camino Day 3 Part 4 : Stunning views, snakes and seals

With that thought and knowing that today would be an easier day, we set off with the adrenaline pumping for walk no. 2.

We headed towards the cliff out of Cape Bridgewater Bay. It was a reasonably strenuous climb. When we reached the top, were rewarded with a lovely view of the beach and the kiosk.

It was a splendid perfect postcard panoramic views of the long stretch of beach, Bridgewater Beach. The beach looked very inviting bathed in the morning golden sun, framed by two Capes.

Bridgewater Beach. The cafe is the second budiling from left on the beachfront.

In the far distance, where we came from yesterday, is Cape Nelson. Here, we were standing at the top of the cliff is Cape Bridgewater.

When we looked back into Portland, we could see the vastness of the beach. The wind farms were way back in the distance in Portland appearing just as a tiny speck on the horizon.

Heading up at the front of the group was John. Later we met up with John at the seal viewing platform.

Seal Colony

 

We were also rewarded with the sighting of the seals on two different viewing platforms. They were very far down from the cliff top .

There were two different colonies of seals, Australian Fur Seal and New Zeland Fur Seal. They do not mix and have their own territory. Apparently this area has the largest seal colony on the Australian mainland.

 

That was when we learnt that he encountered a snake! Since then with, that many of us tramping the ground, the vibrations would have moved the snakes on, I hope! Brownn snakes are poisonous and walking in the bush always carried the risks as far as snakes are concerned. I lived in the hills of Adelaide next to a reserve and I am mindful of brown snakes or any other snakes. We were glad that John had a narrow escape.

The walk this morning was rewarded with spectacular scenery, which ever way you turned. We then reached the highest cliff in Victoria. With the glorious blue sky and light breeze it was as perfect weather for the walk.

 

We were surprisingly rewarded with this beautiful sight of a group of kangaroos. This a great shot!

Aussie Camino Day 3 Part 3 : Presentation of Gus

Aussie Camino tradition: Presentation of Guss

Then the important event of the morning (of the Aussie Camino tradition): the presentation of Aussie Camino Mascot, Gus to the Pilgrims of the Day.

This tradition of bringing Gus onboard, was established in Easter this year. That was the first walk open to all pilgrims after the pioneering walk in 2013. Gus, contributed by a thoughtful pilgrim, is an Aussie koala, small in size but huge in spirit. Gus was carried by Luke on the first day of the walk, clipped and hanging on Luke’s backpack. Today Gus would be handed over to a pilgrim and then it went fro there to the next pilgrim as we travelled towards Penola.

Luke presented Gus to a pilgrim who persevered through physical struggle to stay on his feet. There were hairy moments when they were worried whether this pilgrim was going to make it. He is not a novice to the camino as he had done long distance in France and Spain. Encouraged and supported by Luke and a few pilgrims, he was resurrected, to complete the arduous walk of yesterday. Peter McC was recognized for his pilgrim spirit of determination and perseverance. Well done, Peter McC.

Luke is right that the Camino de Santiago is steeped with tradition. It has been going for more than a 1000 years with millions of pilgrims having travelled the various routes. Luke borrowed a number of their traditions and adopted them to the Aussie Camino e.g the Passport, the use of the Scallop shell which has long been the symbol of Camino de Santiago. By taking such an important strategic direction, it will help to globalise ours with a walk that is so well recognized world wide. The entire route of Camino de Santiago has been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage designation.

We also recognsied that a few pilgrims like John and Jill did the extra loop around the Portland foreshore. I gathered that there was a drama yesterday with Chrissy. She had a fall but was blessed not to sustained serious injury.

Aussie Camino Day 3 Part 2 : Meditation and Prayer

We gathered in the basketball court for Meditation and Prayer, bathed in the golden early morning sun. The views of the Bridgewater Beach from the camp site was stunning. It sets the ambiance for a quiet meditation for the day.

Meditation of the Day

Hitting the Open Road

“Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, healthy, free and the world before me – the long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose. Henceforth I ask not good fortune – I myself am good fortune; henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, strong and content, I travel the open road.”

Walt Whitman

Now you are beginning to feel like pilgrims with aching muscles and joints. Maybe blisters are popping up as you feel tired, strangers in a different environment. Maybe it’s hotter so – suck it in! Can you believe how you are walking despite all this? How are the others faring? How’s your breathing going? Resting is as important as walking, so don’t feel embarrassed to stop and eat a banana.

.

Mary says “Let God’s Spirit guide you in your choice.”

Pilgrims prayer

Aussie Camino Prayer

God of Pilgrims, Saint Mary MacKillop trusted your guidance in her journey

of life and deepened her confidence in your will.

May we renew our trust in your Providence to lead us in hope.

May we relish the sacred in the ordinariness of our lives.

May we grow in the fullness of your love and the depth of your mystery.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the life.”

Amen

Aussie Camino Day 3 Part 1: Cape Bridgewater to Bridgewater Lakes 16km

After yesterday’s baptism of fire on the first walk of 33km, we were encouraged that today’s would be “ an enjoyable day along the cliff tops and it will be your shortest day”.

I took no risk with my water supply and carried the extra litres. The issue with water is the weight. Every litre of water weighs 1 kg and the more water, the heavier it gets. However, I couldn’t jeopardised the rest of the walk or become a nuisance to the pilgrimage if I dropped out. I was glad that I got a very comfortable daypack, Opsrey Stratos 34L. It was a bit too big for this trip but I bought it for my future Camino. It is a very light and well designed with an aerated back that kept my back cool. I was wearing the special coolmax T-shirt with a Kathmandu long sleeve UV protection shirt. All these kept me cool and also very dry. The compression long pants was a great help. When I was walking at home, my muscle would ache the next day. With the compression pants my muscle hardly bothered me.

By today, the third day of the pilgrimage, we were settling into a routine, getting up at the crack of dawn starting with a morning mass at the Chapel. Dave (Fr Dave) with Vincent (Bishop Vincent) celebrated mass this morning. Everyone, Catholics and non-Catholic, gathered for the mass. It was an excellent way to start the day especially as a group of pilgrims. The Camino de Santiago attracted about a quarter million of pilgrims and only a small percentage walked for religious reasons. A non-believer might gain just as much spirituality from any pilgrimage as a believer.

 

Chapel at the Camp

Start of the day with mass in the little old chapel. L-R Michael C, John

 

L-R Vincent, Dave, Andy, Kalee, Michael C, John, Michael A, Peggy, Keelin

L-R Chrissy, Peter S, Greg, Luke, Jill, Noel, Paul.

Breakfast was at the dinning room and it was not provided. Bringing a packet of cereals etc would be a good start of the day. We were given a list of things to bring for the trip, like bowl and spoon. At certain places where the facilities might be limited, you need to be self sufficient.

Earlier in the morning, I went to the girls’ “Presidential Cabin” to get my foot prepared and taped today. Kaylee was generous to share her tape as I brought the wrong one with me. Preparing the feet in the morning is an important part of the routine for any long walk. The next important part of the preparation was to tone up the body for the day. We were fortunate to have Chrissy with us. She was so good with her exercise yesterday that I had a problem back-free walk for the whole of 33km. Realising the benefits of having a good instructor, with a few pilgrims we were taken through a routine by Chrissy. She was a very fit lady with great flexibility and agility. I was a bit stiff and inflexible. That explained part of the reasons why my lower back tend to play up and play up very badly at time.

We stretched and we did whatever she told us to. Of course, we could not do the stretch like her. After all, she confessed that she was a ballet dancer. Lately, she took up ballet dancing again. Therefore she had the unfair competitive advantage over all of us. But as we stretched more and more, we were getting more flexible and hopefully we would have an injury-free day.

CFO stand for Chief Fitness Officer, a title granted to Chrissy for her dedication to keep us fit. Thanks Chrissy.. L-R Jill, Chriisy (with stripped shirt), Kalee, Keelin, Peggy. There are 5 girls in this pilgrimage and they are all from Qld.

Vincent being helped by Jill, a sprinter.