And then we drive, drive, drive. six hours to Kendenup. In a mini bus.
Lunch was to be in Kojonup but the café is closed, today is a public holiday. So we buy sandwiches at north Bannister. Then eat as we drive, a late pickup so we are behind schedule.
Deb has ham cheese and mustard. A bit generous with the mustard, neither of us can eat it. So we share my mild cheese and salad.
Lunch time and we are past Kojonup. deb and I, a few years ago, took two days to drive to Kojonup stopping overnight half way.
the whole trip is long drives broken by two or three hours walking.
not that i do much walking.
we arrive at kendenup lodge. nice place, nothing fancy. peaceful.
then back on the bus to drive to mt hassel.
deb walks. seven in our group, only one makes it to the top.
i walk 500m. it's loose stones. I'm hopeless, constant fear of falling. i turn back. unfortunately the tour guides feel that one of them must walk back with me.
next day we go to mt trio. the tour guides tell me to stay at the bus. otherwise they may be one guide short if i turn back. i agree wi the the decision.
okay, im not happy. but i do enjoy the couple of hours by myself.
so i settle down and watch the group walk away. up a lot of steps.
once they are put of sight i walk up the steps. not all the way. 35 minutes up, a bit more down again.
plus i spend some time looking for a geocache near the carpark. which i fail to find.
i end up within 100m of the bus but not clear where it is... of course i took the precaution of setting a waypoint on the gps, which i follow back.
deb etc get back, we have another look for the cache, unsuccessful, then back to the bus for tea.
no time to relax, the bus must leave. i dump my tea. i dont enjoy being on someone elses timetable.
lunch is at some other lodge. diy ham and cheese rolls. followed by a wildflower walk... no guide, she was double booked. no flowers, no orchids anyway. plenty of mozzies.
then more driving. with short walks. one where queen of sheba orchids have been seen but not today.
the tour is well planned well organised. guides are good, other people are interesting.
never again will i go on such a tour.
when deb and i tour, the company is excellent. pace is relaxed, we are flexible. and we never rush afternoon tea.
back to the lodge for dinner. cheese and crackers first, delicious.
dinner is nice. all from packets. but nice.
more mts tomorrow. i plan to stay with the bus. it would be easier to stay at the lodge but i prefer to travel with deb, and deb ditto.
im sort of enjoying myself but ive had enough of this tour. three more days :-(
Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
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As Conan says: What does not kill you
does not kill you
Good you are out and about. I do agree that guided tours can be taxing.
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