So, when Tia said about the idea of John and me doing The Overland Trail with her my 1st feeling was excitement. This slowly led onto doubt.

At practically 60 years old and not of athletic build or mentality, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do this. A daily dog walk with my elderly greyhound and an occasional Pilates class might not cut it.

Although John is 60 he is long, lean, athletic and strong.

Hmm….

However with Tia’s encouragement we were set to go.

John and I arrived in Sydney two weeks before. The 1st week I found an offer for 5 x Reformer Pilates classes for $50, so off I went in 35 degree heat, never having done this type before. I was hoping for a miraculous fitness transformation.

I melted and puffed my way through and by the end of the course felt quite good.

However, the following week John and I went to Melbourne and although we walked a lot I also ate my way through the week enjoying the new sights and tastes.. Oops.

We  flew to Tasmania and met Tia there. I pride myself in travelling light but was taken aback as Tia dumped my ‘excess’ pants, bra, tshirt, shampoo ++, explaining the science of trekking. Changes of clothes are an unnecessary luxury and every extra ounce is a burden to be carried. My ‘treat’ item was toilet roll. Apart from the obvious it has so many uses.

We packed and repacked sharing the load accordingly. I had the lightest pack.

It was heavy. 

The night before, we stayed at a campsite near the trail, we were lucky to get a last place, booking ahead would have been advisable.

I felt secure about Tia’s guiding abilities, but anxious about my ability.

On a sunny morning we set off onto the track leading far and away, with a fabulous feeling of freedom. We had been told it is possible to experience all climates in one day in Tassie, and that 1st day we did.

Sunshine, rain, warm, cold, wind and snow. Trying to pull on wet weather gear on a blustery hillside was not fun.

After about 5 hours we got to our 1st hut stop for the night. I was weary but reassured I’d made it.

The hut was crowded and I realised we would be sleeping shoulder to shoulder with a mass of strangers. I knew I’d have to get up in the night for the toilet so slept with my head torch on. The whole sleepless, cold, uncomfortable experience did not enthrall me.

However, within a couple of days as we trudged on this changed. Strangers became instant friends, the huts were our solace, I slept easily and deeply and my annoying nocturnal toileting was actually a unique experience.

I had the still, silent, moonlit night all to myself at 3am with the safe haven of the hut yards away while I stargazed.

As Tia had predicted, we got stronger quickly and the pack lightened as we consumed the meals. I found I wasn’t as hungry as anticipated and didn’t want the allotted quantities, although John and Tia did. With my lifetime addiction, chocolate was welcome, but breakfast biscuits and trail mix, not so much.

Lentils and rice were my favourite, but even that, I wasn’t eating the full portion. 

Day 4 I had my 60th birthday and can say it was the best and most memorable. Tia produced a cake from a packet mix and we shared it with hut friends. Every mouthful was exquisite. People were in raptures. John and Tia gave me a couple of crumpled cards they’d carried from home. I felt like how they react in ‘I’m A Celebrity’ when they get their messages from loved ones and get emotional.

It’s strange how after a few days you feel you’ve been away from civilisation for months.

Before we left the UK some young neighbours that do local walks said they found using poles a benefit. Because of our travel light policy, this was under debate. However I think without those two poles the journey for me would have been hugely compromised. After a day of a lot of downhill ,my knee became painful. The poles helped take the pressure off and definitely saved me from falls a few times.

It was about day 3 when someone showed us how to use them properly, which made a significant difference, worth getting that info beforehand.

Tia taped my knee up which also helped. The next day was an improvement and manageable. However after a couple of hours walking, I opted to carry on to the next hut while John and Tia climbed Mount Ossa… It was the 1st time I was on my own and it felt peculiar. I had got used to us being together all the time. I felt unnerved walking away, if I got lost I have no sense of direction.

However, once I got going, it felt good. I began to see my surroundings and hear the wilderness. I would pause and look around. Being silent was new, as we would normally be chatting.

Then I got a clunk in my chest as I saw a large brown snake on the path. It no more wanted to be near me than I did it.  As it slithered gently away I felt awe just watching it being in his/her own surroundings.

I loved that 3hour solo walk. I didn’t have to consider my pace or speed. Although John and Tia didn’t let me feel it , I was aware I was the slowest.

I would recommend The Overland Trail to someone of my age and average fitness that wanted to do it. With good preparation of supplies, use of poles and able to go at your own pace.

Having a ‘Tia’ was phenomenal. She made it happen, looked after a couple of oldies without knowing what she was letting herself in for, and let me have one of the most special experiences of my life.

It has made me want to do more trekking. I would like to be more remote at the day’s end and not feel an unwanted compulsion to get to the next hut in good time to allocate ourselves a spot. 

I felt capable to do the trip, it was definitely a challenge, making the completion an achievement. Spontaneously High Fiving another older walker at the restaurant when we’d finished said it all.

The following few days were strange returning to civilisation after only one week away. It felt like, where we had just been was real life and all this false luxury was empty.

That dissipates quite quickly however. I’m just off for a cup of earl grey tea and a piece of cake.

Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Do not go where the path may lead

go instead where there is no path

and leave a trail.