More Melbourne & Other Tales

Hello,

My next (cycling) trip is in just over a week - from Seymour to Wangaratta via rail trails. However, went down to Melbourne for Easter and strangely enough a few things happened....

Public Transport
On the trip to Melbourne, waiting at Wangaratta station for the train saw a 10 year old kid in pajamas and bare feet with his mother. Not sure whether he got on the train but he is off to a good start in life.
Just looking at my Vline ticket I noticed for the first time it says not to expose the ticket to heat or sunlight. It must be really sensitive paper. Might be difficult to comply with in Summer as I don't have any control over the weather, the sunlight thing might be a bit of a challenge too. I wonder whether it's a defence to say to the conductor I would love to show you my ticket but I can't show you it because I am not allowed to expose it to sunlight.
On a suburban train in Melbourne my ears were physically assaulted by two train geeks standing behind me discussing trains and timetables (what's worse it appears they worked for Metro too). Well, it actually was more like shouting at each other than a discussion. They are either deaf (because of the trains?) or are station announcers. On the same train somebody came on at Parliament with an ice hockey stick. On another occasion at Hoppers Crossing station saw some people taking selfies of themselves:"here I am at the train station".

Attending the Soccer
One of the things I do when I come to Melbourne is go and see the soccer (I am a Melbourne Victory member). The last match I attended there were a few more things going on around me in the crowd than there usually is. There was the person in front who was looking at his mobile phone for the entire match. I don't think he was interested in the match. Then there was the group of people next to him who were more absorbed with eating and drinking and greeting their friends. It's not as if it was a boring match.

From the soccer I usually catch a taxi back. Most of the times the drivers are excellent. However, this last time I think I had the holder of the "Worst Taxi Driver of the Year" award. It didn't start off well as he kept asking whether we should take a particular exit off the freeway which was nowhere near the destination. Then he thought he would be clever avoiding the traffic lights on the main road by taking a side street. Unfortunately for him his plan backfired when we were held up by a car trying to park on the narrow side street. Then a bit further into the trip, I told him that we had to take the next right at the lights. He then asked whether whether I wanted to turn right from the left or the right. It took me a minute to figure out what he was on about: he wanted to know whether to take the right or left lane (there were two lanes to turn right). Probably to his surprise I said I didn't care. The final instalment in this adventure was when we had to make a u-turn to get to my house. He missed the turn I indicated, saying that there was a "keep left" sign. Then he took the next turn and we ended up in the football ground car park. I indicated to him that we are in a car park and that we should be on that road (me pointing in the correct direction). He finally got on the right road and I said to him we have been making that turn for years and he said he was not like everyone (that's true). At this point it threatened to escalate but it calmed down quickly as my house was only a short distance away. To his credit he charged me $3 less and we left on a good note, wishing me happy Easter.

Soup Kitchens
I have seen a few of these in my travels recently. In Canberra the Salvation Army operate a breakfast one that was clearly for homeless and/or poor people. By contrast the one that operates on Flinders Street, in the evenings, seems to attract anyone that wants a free home cooked meal that happens to be in the city at that time.

Events at Bright
Always a lot of events happening at Bright. One recently was an off road motorcycle event. While I was at the Bakery there were a number of the participants there. I am not sure of pies and sausage rolls for breakfast.
Lots of people here at Easter and now in the school holidays. The main caravan park was packed. I am not sure it would be my idea of a holiday from city life to come here with half a ton of camping equipment and set up a tent half a metre from another tent. It was more like a shanty town than a camping ground.
I am getting a bit concerned at the upsurge of crime in Bright. The bus driver related the story of an attempted robbery from the bus (I was shocked too, those things occur in Myrtleford, not here). The bus to Wangaratta arrives, waits a few hours then goes back. On this occasion some people turned up early and asked the driver whether they could leave their luggage in the luggage bays under the bus while they did a few things (it comprised of a small and very large bag). He said fine. Shortly afterwards he saw a young person with both bags, but struggling with the larger bag. The bus driver (who is not very athletic) just stepped in his way. The young person tripped over him, fell down, then got up and ran away.

Positive Points
Reflecting on my last walk (see previous blog) - don't worry I am over it - there are some positives:

• I didn't set myself and/or my tent on light with my stove
• I didn't get lost (that's happened before)
• I didn't have to set off my emergency beacon
• I didn't have to be rescued and be embarrassed in the media (unlike Tim Fischer: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/former-deputy-prime-minister-tim-fischer-spends-night-lost-in-victorian-bush-20160329-gnts2z.html)

Anyway, here are some photos from the Canyon Walk - a short walk along the Ovens River, about 5 minutes from the centre of Bright:

  

Falls Creek to Hotham Alpine Crossing

Hello, my latest trip was a three day bushwalk from Falls Creek to Mount Hotham, across the Bogong High Plains. I have not done such walking for a long time which involves carrying your tent, sleeping bag etc. Most of the recent multi-day walking I have done was in Europe, Nepal and NZ where there are huts and food is provided or there are cooking facilities. The first shock was the weight of the pack - 20kg which I managed to reduce to 18kg. I usually only walk with 5-10kg!

The first step was to get from Bright to Mt Beauty. Not a problem as there is a Vline contracted taxi service (which links with the Melbourne train/bus). However, at the scheduled departure time there was no taxi. I rang them and they explained that Vline doesn't advise them of bookings instead they rely on the bus driver advising them if there are any passengers on the bus from Melbourne going to Mt iBeauty. If there is they come to Bright, if there isn’t they don’t. The only problem with this system is that it assumes the passenger is on the bus from Melbourne (note to complain to Vline about the stupidity of this system). However, the taxi company was happy to come and pick me up, especially as they were taking me to Falls Creek the following day. Not a great start.

Day 1

The walk this day was from Falls Creek (Heathy Spur Track Car Park) to Ryders Yards campsite, about 14km). The sign at the start of the walk rated the walk as difficult. How can this be difficult – mainly flat and only 37km over three days? (note fateful words). Anyway, the weather was sunny, not too warm. Came across a lot of school groups – that’s one way to wear them out. Decided not to camp at Ryders Yards but instead camped near Cope Saddle Hut, as I was knackered and it would have meant a 2km return detour off the track, plus a large group were ahead of me headed to the campsite and I wanted a peaceful night (note fateful words). So I found a spot that had soft grass and was sheltered (note fateful words). What I didn’t realise was that I had camped next to the main route for researchers working on the High Plains. Two 4WD vehicles made return trips past my campsite. A school group also came past and the teacher asked me whether I was OK – I obviously felt better than I looked. Nevertheless, the spot was great, a view across the plains, sky was clear, with a light wind. Got into the tent about 8pm as it was getting cold. Fell asleep but awoke at 11pm as the wind picked up. I thought at least it’s not raining (note fateful words). It started raining at 2am and the wind picked up again (apparently the weather front which was supposed to arrive Friday night had come early). By 4am the rain had increased and the wind was giving the tent a battering. My main mission now was to ensure that the tent didn’t blow away with me in it. The tent was hanging in there but now the wind had increased again and the pegs failed on one side, I tried re-pegging it from the inside as I couldn’t get out of the tent as my weight, by now, was the only thing preventing the tent from blowing away. The tent was hanging on (and I was hanging on to the tent - I think you can picture this) but the wind had other ideas. It now appeared to be blowing from two directions and that was too much for the, up to now, resilient tent which just collapsed. At 6am I gathered everything and took it into the hut where I had breakfast and was able to pack my backpack.

Day 2

By this stage the weather was simply terrible: rain, wind and fog. But on the positive side I thought: today’s walk is only 10km to the next campsite at Dibbins Hut (a cattleman’s hut on the Cobungra River); the weather can’t stay this bad all day; and I was still in possession of my tent as it hadn't ended up in Mt Beauty. Well I had to walk those 10km non-stop, 3 ½ hours. There was nowhere to shelter, there was only heathland and grass, no trees. The tallest thing was the snow poles which marked the route (about 2 ½ m high and spaced every 40m). The rain was constant, the wind was so loud the only thing I could hear was my thoughts, it was as if a jet engine was on next to me. And if it was not for the walking poles I would have been blown over a few times. The fog was so thick I could only see two now snow poles ahead. When I started descending into the Cobungra Valley at least the wind died down but the rain only increased. After the worst day of walking in my life I reached Dibbins Hut soaked and tired. I then started getting cold, changed into thermals and started doing exercises to stay warm. Even though the hut is only meant for emergency use there is no way I was camping, I needed to dry out and I didn’t want any further hassles. A couple came down from Hotham after 4pm when the weather improved, saw me and decided to pitch a tent instead of staying in the hut. I went to sleep at 8pm to only the sound of the river. I had one of the best night’s sleep. I was not even disturbed by a resident mouse or rat that usually inhabit such huts.

Day 3

While it was not sunny, it was not raining and the clouds were high. However, it was a lot colder than previous days. Now that I was drier I could appreciate the beauty of this river valley with its snow plain, surrounded by hills. The cattlemen certainly picked a great spot.

It was only about another 10km to Mt Hotham – with about 600m of climbing, the first hour being the steepest. I took my time. I knew I was close to reaching civilisation when I started being passed by mountain runners (apparently lycra shorts are de rigueur for them too). As I walked along the road to Mount Hotham, with the prospect of a hot shower spurring me on, I was passed by cyclists coming up from the valley wearing shorts and distinctly blue legs as it was only a few degrees above freezing. I was glad it was all over.

For me it was one of the most challenging walks I have undertaken with the combination of pack weight and weather. Perhaps I am just getting soft or old, or both. When I finished I thought never again but now on reflection I might do something like this again but not long trips as I had anticipated doing. The mountain environment can be challenging but it is always rewarding too and that’s what makes it worthwhile.

The Start

Rocky Valley Reservoir

Wallace's Hut

Cope Saddle Hut and the trail on day 2 beyond

The tent before it collapsed

Robin

View from Dibbins Hut on that horrible day

Cobungra River

Dibbins Hut

View of the Fainters mountains and the direction I came from on day 2

View of Mount Feathertop

Mount Hotham

Mount Feathertop

Mount Feathertop

The End

Melbourne Tales

Hello again, back in Bright after 10 days in Melbourne watching a few soccer games, catching up with people, and seeing the documentary film Sherpa (at an Australian Himalayan Foundation charity screening for the Nepal earthquake). I really recommend it (the film that is). It's the best "Everest" film I have seen: cinematography is brilliant and it tells climbing Everest from the Sherpa point of view.

You may not be surprised to learn that I had a few adventures on my Melbourne excursion. But first some local news. Wangaratta Racecourse as part of its development is getting an Equine Learning Centre. I am assuming that's for people to learn about horses - although they weren't really clear on that point on the TV News.

Anyway....

Public Transport
The trip to Melbourne on the train started with a bit of a delay at Wangaratta station with the person in front of me trying to open the carriage door by pulling the handrail. Just before getting to Melbourne, a Loud Howard (aka loud talker) on the phone was telling their friend that she will get off the train and then meet her at the arranged time. I guess it was necessary to tell her she had to get off the train before she could meet her.
Another problem people seem to be having is finding their numbered seats on the train, those consecutive numbers can be tricky. Maybe technology can come to the rescue here: perhaps their ticket could activate a flashing light and siren when they get to their seat. That will minimise their need to think.
But what really irritates me on the bus is the people that have to sit right up the front - usually to bend the ear of the driver - instead of leaving them for the very old etc.

Melbourne Beggars
They seem to be taking over the footpaths. One I saw was doing a drawing in the middle of a busy footpath and another set up his sign in the middle of the footpath. I guess they think people would then notice them more and they are probably right but I didn't see them getting a very positive response. They probably need some professional marketing advice.

At the Cinema
The amount of food and drinks being taken into the cinema these days is amazing. Three people came in with all their hands full, they had enough stuff for a picnic.

Using Toilets
I have observed, at Nando's at least, a number of non-customers come in to use their toilets. I guess if you have to go....but it appears, that if you do this, as you are walking to the toilet you need to be using your phone, not making any eye contact with anyone.

Childrens' Crossings
A new thing - and it is being taught in schools according to my niece - is that children when they get to a crossing are to stop, look, listen and think (and the crossings are signed accordingly). What happened to just looking left and right. By the time you have gone through this new checklist you probably have missed your chance to cross before another car comes. And you have to look and listen, is that in case you don't see? And what do you have to think about exactly? It sounds like a risk averse philosopher came up with this one.

Blind Dogs
Had a bit of an incident in the city with a blind person (with a seeing eye dog) running into me at a crossing and then they nearly mowed down another person who seemed to sense something and jumped out of the way just in time. The dog was going really quickly and the owner had to pull them up. Then the dog had a problem when the footpath was partially blocked, it was confused and decided to go left towards a shop entrance and the person had to correct them to go to the right and stay on the footpath. I think this dog must have barely passed Seeing Eye Dog School.

Finally,

Some photos from around Bright (Valley View Walk and the track up to Clearspot (a 1000m high hill behind my place). You can see Mts Bogong and Feathertop from these tracks. My next excursion will be a bushwalk from Falls Creek to Mt Hotham in mid-March and a blog will follow!