Branna Magill

Readers, we beat The Stragglers. We were, in fact, the very first ones here. Thank you, thank you, I know.

We weren't sure what to expect at this hut, it being one of the older ones, and therefore not likely to follow the layout we've gotten used to. It turned out to be one of our favourites. A great portion of this, in hindsight, was simply the weather we had here. The couple of other days we've spent hanging around the huts after short walk legs have been somewhat boring. Cold and rainy outside, and not much space or comfort inside. Yes I UNDERSTAND why they don't provide couches or simply cushions, but would've loved one. Anyway, here we received such sunshine and warmth that it turned our hut experience into something completely new and wonderful. The hour or so I spent laying face down outside on the sunny helipad was a joy I can only imagine rivals how lizards feel on rocks. It was sublime. I couldn't believe the luxury of warmth on my body and birdsong in my ears.

The joy continued as, bolstered by the sunlight, we partook in some of the only socialising we did on the trip (introverts unite), as we joined a group sitting around together out on one of the wooden tent platforms. Soaking up the sunshine together, laying around like cats, we discussed all the various nicknames we've each bestowed upon each other; what our packs weighed; what we wished we'd brought (mainly more snacks); and what the first thing we were looking forward to doing was when we finished. Everyone had great curiosity about what it was the Elite Athletes did in their personal lives to achieve this status. Dylan got the great satisfaction of being able to simply say he was a runner, to much oohs, ahhs, general understanding and head nodding. Anyone who also plays roller derby and has had to explain that fact to someone will intuitively understand that I was not afforded the same response. It was accepted however, with less enthusiastic and slightly confused head nodding. Hannah, of The Girls, shared her lollies and I even ended up being the recipient of a snack sized Picnic bar, to my obscene delight. It was truly lovely (the socialising, not just the chocolate) and I'm very glad we joined in.

We eventually tucked ourselves into bed on the large communal bunk platforms (imagine a ground platform and then one above it, both able to fit about 8 people across). Blessedly, Dylan and I were the only people on our top platform, and there were only two people below us on the bottom. Having successfully avoided being sardines (ALWAYS go for the most furthest away room) we were quite chuffed at being able to snuggle up next to each other for night. Snuggling is actually impossible when your sleeping mats slide away from under you and you're in separate sleeping bags, but it was nice in spirit.

We awoke at 5am, and were on the way by 6am - hoofing it through to catch the 9.30am ferry from Narcissus Hut (we'd skip staying the night here) back to Lake St Clair. This was a lightly stressful realisation we'd come to partway through the trip: I'd booked the ferry (for some unknown reason) too early on our last day. Therefore, we either had to double up and do our last two days together, staying at Narcissus instead of Bert Nichols so we would already be there for the ferry the next morning, or, as we decided on, get up early enough to complete the walk there in time.

This all worked out splendidly and we made it. Back at Lake St Clair though, guess who found out that it wasn't actually 9.30am SATURDAY she'd booked the ferry (which had been the confusing factor, why had I done that and not given us enough time??) but 9.30am Sunday, which would've allowed us time to complete the last walk at leisure and stay the night at Narcissus Hut......... Not me, that's for sure.Les mer