Hi Gail, I have been trying to log on to the forum this morning without success. ??? So i thought i would touch base with you and if you would like to post these comments on the site, feel free.

Well it's just over two years now since we did our trek #429 in Aug '08 with Big John and all the "boys". There is probably not a week goes past without some Kokoda reference or memory popping up.

Three of us from that trek plus one other, are heading off to Nepal for walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary for 16 days in Sept/Oct.

Then my wife & I are travelling to Thailand for a wedding then backpacking into Laos and Cambodia for a bit of a look see in Dec '10.

We are in training for that now, and the talk every Saturday morning is Kokoda experiences and memories.

I still play the cd you gave us with the music from the boys on the track.

We have convinced ourselves that once we had successfully completed the Kokoda Trail we can do anything. I was at 49 yrs old when i walked the track and intend to keep doing more and more.

I actually apply this mentality to most things i do in life and my business. "SMALL STEPS" has become my motto. It's THE best advise i have ever had form the boys (Kingsley).

There is talk of doing the Black Cat Trail next year. ? sounds gruelling. !!! If i / we do, i would love to see if my friend Mr Kingsley. J. Eroro will do me the honour of walking with me and showing me Popendetta. I promise not to bring that HEAVY pack with me next time.

As this our two year anniversary, all the group form # 429 have been e-mailing each other to how everyone is doing and what they have been up to, etc.

Mary, who walked with us has been in Europe and done a number of walks and is jetting off to Vegas soon for her daughters wedding.

Stuart chucked in his job and went off to China for a while (haven't caught up with him on that one) We have been to see Stuart play in his band, Lyndal Barry and The Apollos at local pubs in Melbourne (they are very good). This just to say, friendships are made "on the track".

It's easy to see the people who "do Kokoda" are people who do not sit around, all our guys have been doing heaps of travelling and trekking.

For us, we have been doing a bit also – in Easter '09, we went off to Spain/Morocco and did a few walks in the Sierra Nevada Region in Spain- The Circuit walk out of Grazalema and the Griffin Vulture Walk (massive vultures with 10ft wing spans ! & views to {die} live for.)

In Morocco we travelled over the Atlas Mountains into the Sahara Dessert – walk-camel ride-camp thing, all great.

In Nov '09 seven of us, walked a section of The Great Ocean Walk on the Victorian East coast- it's just beautiful.

Although i got huge blisters on my feet and the last two days were a bit uncomfortable- Jim (from Trek # 429) took a part of my load to make my walk easier. This goes to show, training IS EVERYTHING.

Enough for now, Hope everyone at KOKODA Trekking is well and we hope to see you again next year. ( ? black cat- maybe or something else ??)

Regards

Paul Evans

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PS I have changed cars and my window sticker went with it.

Can you send me a few more I am proud to have on my car.