No Duff

We have a bus- it drops us at the trail head- the bus is a safe haven because it is the only dry spot, anywhere. I’m wet and I haven’t even started today. 

This is a bit like a little war- the mud / oh the mud. One little slip and you are covered in it- nothing to lose then, you may as well wallow like a stiff wee Gortex insect in the mud. 

So- you say, how’s it going in the Great Ocean Road walk?? Actually it’s fantastic- hard, really really wet, many really steep bits, lots of slippery steps down. A leech leapt onto my leg, my worst fears realised on the first day but one of the quick thinking Aussie Sheila’s flicked it off before its blood sucking frenzy had really got underway. 

I’m loving this. The body is holding up (sort of), intrepid fellow travellers- three mums from the Outback, a couple of very ancient hardy women - one in her late 80s and fabulous food. Funny how even the most basic little rice cracker tastes wonderful when you are really hungry. 

So today, we are starting in the rain after it has poured all night- I guess we will meet mud! Everyone is quiet, a bit of nervous laughter and internal doubt- will we survive? Well thousands have so I don’t see why this little group of stragglers can’t. 

And then the afternoon. Magnificent shoreline, a trail along the impressive cliff tops and no rain. Hallelujah!