Mayhem! I gave up the chase after 100 metres and went back to pick up my hat, etc, leaving her with space to calm down. I then trotted up to find her, a couple in a 4x4 had stopped her. So on we headed in spasmodic bursts - often she would try to go ahead; putting the rope behind me soon stopped that but it still wasn't running smoothly. Finally we could stop and unsaddle for a late lunch on a creek.
We got going again, making very slow progress, to camp on Keating Creek only a couple of kilometres further. An extremely hard day's work for all of us, and only 15 km closer...
Roaring Meg Falls
Wednesday 22nd June
Peace again - in front of a wonderful fire with a mug of coffee. I've learnt so much the last few weeks, and today I can finally say, with confidence, that I can make it. Up until now it's either been the big unknown, or a big lie.. .tourists in their 4x4s stop and take photos of the bloke riding his two horses to Melbourne - little do they know he's just spent four hours of blood, sweat and tears to travel five kilometres, and even has had thoughts of selling the horses at the first opportunity and going home.
But I've come to understand a bit of horse psychology, and, more importantly, they've responded to my new and more consistent approach.. .once again we're back on track. it's probably too early to say that yet, but I believe it.
We slept in a bit this morning - I was awake at dawn, the horses were grazing quietly and I still felt tired, so a stayed in my sleeping bag until about 7 am. Things went well from the start -Sarah stood her ground a few times, but a few circuits around her with Nugget, and firm but gentle reasoning that it was too soon to stop for a break, and we carried on. Stopped for a drink at a creek a few kilometres on, then up to the green paddock I was told about, so we pulled over for an hour - I unsaddled them and put on hobbles - they didn't go far, and came back when I called (using molasses as bait).
I really am starting to enjoy riding now. We passed though some beautiful forest and rainforest on our way to the falls. This place is definitely worth the visit. I rode Nugget bareback to the falls (about 2 km from where I'm camped) stopping for a beer with some 4x4s from Redcliffe. Dinner tonight: lentils and macaroni cheese, with mixed herbs, paprika, stock cubes - with enough left over for tomorrow's lunch. Once we get into a routine, I envisage I'll cook enough each night to last me three meals, keeping it in the condiment jar to eat cold later.
The falls were spectacular, although the pool beside which I'm camped is pretty special too -I've been for a swim (no crocs here, I hope!) but no luck with the fishing so far.
Stewart's Creek
Saturday 25th June
Each day I spend out here is so full of activity and new experiences that I often am amazed when I think back to what I was doing the previous day, or where I was camped last night - it seems so far away! Recalling everything that happened, and, more importantly, my feelings/emotions at the time is impossible, so I mustn't let this become the norm - ie trying to fill in several days...
Wednesday night at the Roaring Meg was the first time I'd really been separated from the horses since the Lion's Den - ie out of eyesight and earshot... but I felt very confident they's be okay and wouldn't do anything silly. I slept in a bit the next morning, then rode Nugget bareback to the falls again - with my camera this time - so it wasn't until about 10.30 am that we actually headed back onto the CREB track.
"A day of short steep climbs" says the guidebook - yes, it was, and despite the eye-catching contrast between the rainforest and the powerline clearing the whole way, I think the horses were finding it a bit tedious. I lost my temper several times with Sarah - she insisted on running down the hills: jog, jog, jog, the packs bouncing around setting my teeth on edge. And the packs have begun to disintegrate - the seams and stitching all coming apart.
