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| preparing eggs for 150 |
I heard the first rustling of the crew at 5 am. Then I heard the sounds of the people preparing breakfast.
I felt wide awake and quickly
had my gear packed and left my tent for a morning walk about.
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| The stunning shade of the sky before dawn |
I watched the sun coming up over the hill and
enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee. I am learning
to drink the first sips black as I can’t get any milk until breakfast is
served.
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| And the sun rises over the hill top |
Today’s breakfast was sausages and oatmeal, bread with
butter or jam. And Milk!!!, which I add
to the remaining coffee in my cup. By
now it is cold but to me it tastes so much better.
Now I pack up my tent and today it has had a little more time for the dew to dry, however it is still damp. After bringing my gear to the baggage trailer I found myself a spot to sketch and tried to capture Fran checking out the river crossing. My art work seems to be getting lots of fans. Even though they are only rough sketches people really are supportive of my efforts which is so encouraging.
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| the walkers prepare to brave the river crossing |
Fran and one other walker set out early to wade across
the river. For some reason the video of their
crossing failed to turn out! Sadly I still don't understand all the functions of this new camera.
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| Wagons cross the river |
Now it is our turn.
Everyone into the wagons and the horses pull us through the water. What excitement to experience a river
crossing! Mind you this was only a small
shallow river. We did not have to battle
swift currents or fear losing gear.
Today is another very warm and bright and sunny day. For the first stretch we pass through wild
fields of tall grasses. There are swarms
of mosquitoes and I am sure the walkers are also encountering ticks. Today for the first time we needed repellent even during the day and while sitting in the wagons.
At the biffy break I once again walked ahead of the
wagons joining Fran and a couple of others.
When my wagon caught up with me I climbed on board. I am now quite proficient at getting on a
moving wagon!
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| Leap frog |
Today is a short day and we were instructed to set up
camp while lunch was being prepared. The
plan for the afternoon is games for the children. I helped Dyan use the “bucket method” of
rinsing so she could wash her hair. Only
cold water so it is not so much fun , but she felt better knowing her hair was
clean.
It is a good thing that we had the tents set up because
just as we finished lunch the dark rain clouds started gathering. I grabbed my pencils and sketched the dark and
ominous clouds. When it started to rain I joined everyone else as we all ran
for shelter. Luckily it was only a
relatively short shower.
As the skies cleared we started the games and then we had
another shower and all scattered to our tents once more.
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| Rainbow over the wagon |
After this second shower the skies cleared
and the sun came out and the rest of the evening was lovely and sunny. As I
walked around to get some photographs a lovely rainbow appeared in the
sky. I also took some time to finish my
scenery sketch as I only got the sky done before the storm.
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| Everyone pull! |
The game activities finished with a big tug o war contest.
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| Preparing fry bread |
I watched
them cooking “fry bread”. Fry bread is
basically a bread dough that is deep fried and the coated with sugar and
cinnamon.
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| Thickening the stew |
Tonight’s dinner:
A lovely stew made with beef, peas, carrots and potato chunks. Fruit
salad, bread and butter, the fried bread and of course my favorite glass of
milk.
I am on “fleecing duty” today which involves walking
around and picking up any garbage that may have been left scattered
around. Once this was done I got my wash
basin filled with water and then it was time to settle in for my evening
ritual, sponge bath, reading and sleep.
Renate Dundys Marrello
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| checking out the river crossing |
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| storm clouds gathering |
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