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Yesterday I finally met up with Peter Blackwood after many emails back and forth planning this trek together with all other trekkers making up their team.
Trekkers include :
Peter Blackwood and his daughter Kate Blackwood; Howard Badger; Sergio Duchini; Paul Glover; Dennis Goldner; Kate Murphy; Don Manifold; Joe Niven; Terry Rooney; Craig Saunders; Simon Wallace-Smith; Paul Welch; Julie Welch and Catherine Deane.
After meeting up with the group, I took them for a drive around town and took the opportunity of a team pic overlooking the harbour.
Editors Note: All photographs except the ones taken before they headed out on the trail are from other previous treks just so you know the areas they are passing through so you too can relate to where they are each day.
DSC02798.jpgI also couldnt help taking this photograph to show all the family and friends logging on, how I transported such a large around Port Moresby and back and forth from the airport today.
Photograph: Trekkers sitting in KTL 2 – 13th August, 2005:
DSC02797.jpgUpdate 15th August, 2005;
Trek 99
The of group 16 trekkers plus porters and guide are now making their way up the test mountain, which will lead them to their first campsite, Isurava village. But first they have to go over the test mountain, before they reach their destination.The test mountain is actually the very first mountain to start off with and to be honest, it is quite a big mountain, I mean, talk about 4 falls peak to go over, that is big. It is tough and a tiring climb for beginners, that is why porters and guides call it the test mountain. Basically, to see how fit trekkers are on their first day of walk. So yeah, it a pretty big challenge, but I?m sure all this trekkers will do ok.
At this time, they are at Deniki look-out-point, which is the half way mark of the test mountain. So definitely, that show?s that they?ve done well; they?ve managed to pass the first half of the hill. They will rest there for a few minutes and soon will continue on to their next destination, Isurava village, which will probably take them 2 ? hour or more, it all depends on how fast or slow each trekker walks.
Trekkers and porters taking a time out rest, up at Deniki look-out-point.
CIMG0616.JPGUpdate 16th August, 2005;
Trek 99
The group spent the night at Isurava village yesterday evening and this morning headed out for yet another day of walk. They tried calling us on the two-way-radio that evening, but due to bad weather condition, their radio could not transmit well, and we couldn?t get their latest report.Fortunately today, John (their guide – a verteran of over 380 + treks) gave me a call to inform me of their whereabouts and how they are progressing out on the trail.
Everyone did great yesterday; though it was tough and tiring climbing up test mountain, however they pulled it off well. No-one suffered any injuries; they all walked well with no problems whatsoever and got to their campsite ok.
This morning on their way to their next campsite, they made a stop up at Isurava Battlefield, where trekkers took pictures, had a look around and took the time to read all monuments. A few minutes later, they headed down to Alola for a bit of rest and now are proceeding further down to Eora creek, where they are planning on spending the night…so far so good – all trekkers still going ok, and doing terrific, so that?s good news.
If the weather looks ok today, they will give us a call later on this evening, but if it turns out bad, we might not get a call from them to get their latest report. But lets not jump to conclusions, we?ll just wait and see how they go.
John Eroro, guide seen here with Fraser Ainsworth and other porters at Isurava Battlefield.
Picture_087.jpg<img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//rolleyes.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:rolleyes:” border=”0″ alt=”rolleyes.gif” /> hi daddy all is well and we miss , do you have a bug in the tummy and was the plane bumpy , the lights in our room have broken again!!!!!the duchini girls
Hi dad, <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//wink.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”;)” border=”0″ alt=”wink.gif” />
Hope your going well, all is well at home christopher and james are missing you so is mum. I am at school at the moment. Just updating you with sport:
Australia tied with england- cricket
Crows and swans won
Wallabies lost
MissingSarah Badger <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//tongue.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:P” border=”0″ alt=”tongue.gif” />
P.S. Olivia says hi too <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//rolleyes.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:rolleyes:” border=”0″ alt=”rolleyes.gif” />
Update 17th August, 2005;
Trek 99
The group is currently located at Templeton?s Crossing 2, and soon will proceed to Templeton?s 1, where they will stop to have lunch. All trekkers are well, doing great and having a good time. The only thing they really want to know right now is the cricket score for England vs Australia. Please if any of you out there, know please do let me know so that I can pass it on to them.Other then that, everything?s fine, everyone?s ok and also doing fantastic. At this time I cannot pass on messages to anyone, due to their location, but if they do get a better spot I?ll pass on all messages to the trekkers.
Seen here is a trekker and porters, down in Templeton's Crossing 2. Trying make their way up to Templeton's 1.
CIMG0690.JPGHi Terry
Hope your ok. We all miss you.Latest quotes from Sky news
Australian Cricket team has arrived in Edinburgh looking to get its faltering ashes campaign back on track as it prepares for tomorrows one day match against Scotland.
Australian Batsman Justin Langer has acknowledged a huge sense of relief after the team escaped from the Old Trafford Cricket test with a draw.
The Wallabies have made 4 changes to their starting side for the Tri nations match this weekend against the Springboks in Perth.
Hang in there guys!
love v.r.Hi Howard,
Missing you heaps. Kids are all fine, having a good week. Christopher did a puzzle at school yesterday, independently which everyone is very excited about. James has some questions for you which we will post tomorrow. Love you!! JB <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//tongue.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:P” border=”0″ alt=”tongue.gif” />
Dear Daddy,
Did you take the toy aeroplane to make for the children? How many mountains are there? How many sleeps before you come? Because I really want to see you. Can you bring back presents for us especially two for mummy!! Lots of love James. i love <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//wink.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”;)” border=”0″ alt=”wink.gif” /> <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//ph34r.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:ph34r:” border=”0″ alt=”ph34r.gif” />Hi Paulie G
Missing you and your wonderful smile heaps. All's good at home. Lou and Scooby are keeping your side of the bed warm!! Hope you're enjoying yourself.
Hi to everyone.
Love DenHi Terry
All ok here. Everyone sends their love to you.
Hope the legs aren't too heavy. I'm sure your playing the mind game now. Keep it up and Enjoy!
I thought you may like to know, that the one day Match between Australia and Scotland has been delayed due to rain. They have yet to toss the coin.
Keep on trekking kiddo. Hope the leeches are stickking elsewhere.
Love to all
v.r.Hi Dad,
Congratulations!! <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//biggrin.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:D” border=”0″ alt=”biggrin.gif” /> You are a great grandfather! Emily has started nesting and is soon to have her babies. Just letting you know that she will have between 8 and 16. She has somehow found a mate. I hope your ready she should be having them today or tomorrow.We only just worked it out when she started pulling her hair out. So congratulations. Hope all is well. Happy walking
Missing you
Sarah
Update 19th August, 2005;
Trek 99
The Kokoda website has been down all morning, but has finally and at last came on again for me to update you on the latest happenings for this trek.The group spent the night at Efogi 1 last night, and today headed out for another bright and early start, which saw them up at, Brigade Hill around 8:30am this morning. All trekkers did terrific, although it was a tough climb up; they pulled it off well and made it to the top.
They had a good rest while up there, and also enjoyed the great view from the mountains site. After their good time out was over, they all slowly made their way down to their new campsite Menari village, which took them another 4 to 5 hours to get there.
Weather did not look too good this morning, it was overcast, but as evening came by, it slowly cleared up.
Other then that all is well, and everyone seems to be have a good time, by the sound of their voices when we last spoke to them.
Messages from the Kokoda Trail;
Paul ? I?m alive and well. See you all next week.
Howard ? Happy Birthday Christopher from Menari. I?m walking well and having a good time. I?ll see you when I get back.
Terry ? Thanks Bon for your messages of support. It?s very, very tough, but I?m hanging in there. Love you all and I?ll see you next week.
Catherine ? Hi Gavin and everyone else. I?m doing ok and going well. Love you all and see you next week.
And thats about it for today.
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