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On Tuesday night we caught up with Grant Baker and his group of friends who were very much looking forward to their Kokoda Trek.
Airlines of PNG told us to have our trekkers at the airport at 6am for a 7am takeoff. Not so, we waited around and finally they were given boarding passes and we were told to have them back at 8:30am.
As a result of this feedback it was decided to drive them around Port Moresby and show the the sights. When we arrived back Airlines of PNG were still stuffing around and finally trekkers departed around midday.
The delay in trekkers arriving in Kokoda meant our Toyota Hilux was not able to drive down to Popondetta to collect Ian, the remaining member of their team who had been in Popondetta with a Rotary group building concrete water tanks, until mid afternoon. Around 3pm Russell received a two way radio message to say the Hilux had broken down with a fuel problem.
At this point the radio went dead and we were no longer able to contact the driver of the Hilux. To our astonishment, Ian phoned up around 7pm and said he was still waiting to be picked up.
This morning after having made contact with the Hilux, it turned out that they couldnt get it started and along came a Mamba Oil Palm truck that offered to help once they found out they were heading down to Popondetta to pick up one of the trekkers.
The latest report this morning was that Ian arrived safely in Kokoda and after work was carried out on the Hilux it too got back to the block. At the time of writing our Mitsubishi Canter is out of order due to a starter motor which has been sent in here for repair and/or replacement.
Trekkers include :
Grant Baker; Andrew Emerson; Gary Tate; Ian Wurlod; John Beevors; Paul Arnold & Ian Phelan
A report we received from Kokoda this morning was that all trekkers were up at the Station looking around and were soon to start their walk on the Kokoda Trail
100_3677.jpgMessage to Ian Phelan from Ken Phelan & Judy Phelan
Ken said "Ian, I am very proud of you and I am thinking of you every step of the way, have a great trip, Dad"
Ian, sorry to hear of your long anxious wait on Wednesday afternoon. Hope you got to the hospital. Good result with Andrew today, great time with Denise. Max temp Wednesday 5.6 deg. Light snow fall here, believe it or not!. Good Luck, Lots of Love, Judy.Message for John Beevors
JB, have you had enough dramas yet. Did they break the car just so you could fix it? Hope you are having fun and enjoying the trek. Go JB!!! Love You….The Campbells <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//tongue.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:P” border=”0″ alt=”tongue.gif” />QUOTE(thecamz @ 13 Aug 2005, 11:58 AM)Message for John Beevors
JB, have you had enough dramas yet. Did they break the car just so you could fix it? Hope you are having fun and enjoying the trek. Go JB!!! Love You….The Campbells <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//tongue.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:P” border=”0″ alt=”tongue.gif” />
hey johny having a great time here in queensland.going to seaworld and dreamworld on monday and tuesday.sas and ken say hi. we r drinking and chatting alot.the weather has been cold but should b warming up tomorow.billie rose hanging out to swim in the pool. hi daddy i love you and i miss you i hope you get this message.mummy misses you to i know because she cuddles me every night.we hope you r all having a good time finally after all your dramas.but there is always a drama with you johnny you r the drama magnet ha ha….can you guys update the photos we check every day and it is still the same one. hold up a sighn saying hi billie rose any way must go need a drink cheers honey,baby sweetpea kimmy and billie rose xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxG'day Stalk,
Everything is going great here with us. Not much to report really, especially about the footy – the (pussie)-cats have not won since you left, you might have to come back for us to make the finals now!! Good news if we do make it though, I think yours and Sals MCC membership may have finally come through – will let you know. Nathan Ablett played his first game and kicked a goal with his first kick – from a mark taken from a pass from none other than older brother Gary. Aznew may as well be re-named Azold. Great to hear it's all going well so far and hope that those water tanks fill as quickly as yours did last week – and don't empty as quickly as your average stubbie. Ashes is great viewing – SBS is copping a flogging here in Forest Hill. Will update you again soon.
Lots of love form Mark, Trace, Liam and Rhys.Hi Grant and Gawy,
Hope all is going well. I'm at home today playing renovation rescue. We now have plaster sheets up on the walls and ceiling. Hope to be able to paint by the end of the week. Seans going to polish the floorboards himself, that should save us about $2000!
Ping is growing too fast, I want him to stay a puppy! Charlie, the dog next door dug him another hole under the fence, so he spent the afternoon playing next door. take carelove nic sean and ping x
Update 15th August, 2005;
Trek 89
The group currently resides in Menari village, where they will spend the night. Thought it was a tough day today, all trekkers did great and have made it to their campsite, with still enough time to go look around the village, or head down to the creek for a quick bath. No report of any trekker having problems or facing difficulties, all seem to be doing ok, looking well, and in good conditions.I red out all the messages to the trekkers and they were pleased to hear from you all. They said to say, thank you.
Only Ian sends this;
Hello to Judy and everybody. Granddad is going ok; all the boys are looking after me. The trip is going fine; we?re at Menari, all boys going ok.
Trekkers at Menari village
CIMG0808.JPGUpdate 16th August, 2005;
Trek 89
After a good night rest at Menari, the group was up at 7am this morning for yet another day of walk. All trekkers are ok, having a good time and going pretty good.They are now located up at Menari look-out-point, where they are resting and having lunch and soon after that will proceed to their next campsite, New Nauro.
Weather look?s great on their side, so hopefully will last for the day.
Trekkers and porters crossing one of the many, creeks or rivers along the trail.
IMG_0535.jpgLatest on the trail;
Trek 89
The group now resides in their campsite, New Nauro. All trekkers are ok, all well and doing fine. No, one?s sick or having problems they are all feeling ok, and still doing terrific. Their guide, Beven and other porters are taking real good care of them, so that?s really helping the trekkers.Weather still looks fine so should be a good afternoon, not only that, they?ve reached their campsite early, so this should also give them enough time to rest those tired bodied and legs.
Ian Wurlod sends this;
Dear Lee, hope you have a great time?.. love dad
The sunset from top New Nauro.
IMG_0540.jpgQUOTE(billie-rose @ 13 Aug 2005, 05:06 PM)QUOTE(thecamz @ 13 Aug 2005, 11:58 AM)Message for John Beevors
JB, have you had enough dramas yet. Did they break the car just so you could fix it? Hope you are having fun and enjoying the trek. Go JB!!! Love You….The Campbells <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//tongue.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:P” border=”0″ alt=”tongue.gif” />
hey johny having a great time here in queensland.going to seaworld and dreamworld on monday and tuesday.sas and ken say hi. we r drinking and chatting alot.the weather has been cold but should b warming up tomorow.billie rose hanging out to swim in the pool. hi daddy i love you and i miss you i hope you get this message.mummy misses you to i know because she cuddles me every night.we hope you r all having a good time finally after all your dramas.but there is always a drama with you johnny you r the drama magnet ha ha….can you guys update the photos we check every day and it is still the same one. hold up a sighn saying hi billie rose any way must go need a drink cheers honey,baby sweetpea kimmy and billie rose xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
hey johny you r not in any pictures r u really there? billie rose wants to c a picture of you can you get your face in the photos for god sake! glad you r all going well! hi daddy i swam with the dolphins to day~! can you please send me a message love you so much billie rosexxxxxQUOTEMessage for Andrew
Hi Dad (Andrew),
How awesome is this-corresponding with you on the trek! Sounds like all is well. Photo of you all at beginning of trek great-you'd be impressed with it. All well at home. Tristan and Ella loved looking at your image-in fact it was Tristan who suggested looking for you on the internet and Voila! Took me by surprise to find you there. Baby growing rapidly with no problems. Will post again soon. Love Sal.xxxMessage for John Beevors
Sounds like you are all having a good time. JB can you please try and get your head in the next photo, otherwise we will not believe that you are really there, and think that you are holed up somewhere playing the sharemarket.
Proud of you that you are achieving what you wanted to do.
The Campbells <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//rolleyes.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:rolleyes:” border=”0″ alt=”rolleyes.gif” />Editors Note: Sorry guys, they cant be in any photographs because they are still on the trail and they dont have internet out there.
All photographs are from previous treks. Jessie just posts them so you too can enjoy their trek knowing each day the areas of the Kokoda Trail they are experiencing.
Hope you understand…..
kind regards
Gail (pen name aussie on this website)
Kokoda TrekkingMessage for Ian: Hi Ian, Had trouble getting a message to you, hope you get t his. David is home from PNG enjoying his bed. Said they had a great welcome and send off from Barevotaru after finishing the tank. They were very worried about your delay in getting to Kokoda. Boys only had roof of 2 tanks at Martyrs to finish with a couple of days to spare.
Third Test a draw by 1 wicket, Lee & McGrath.
Melb 100 Cats 99 last week. Had a great week with Denise, but very cold, Astrid been and gone, Alvin resting, lovely having Jan here this week. She goes Wednesday. Maggie won at Mildura on Sunday. Miss you heaps.
Loads of Love,
"Your gardiner"
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