Bayeux Bluff, Mar 2018
When we set out in thick fog in a general southerly direction, we were not at all committed to reaching Bayeux Bluff. We made our goals simpler, and said we’d at least go to Battle Ridge’s end, perhaps Odo Tarn. We’d probably then run out of time, as the fog had meant our start was later than we’d originally planned for.
Battle Ridge shots
However, from the end of Battle Ridge. with the swirling fog so very alluring, and the going so utterly pleasant, the group decided to reach our earlier goal. I was off photographing to the side when this decision was made, and jokingly abused them for not giving me a vote, but they claimed to know my wishes on this matter without asking, and off we set. Of course, they were right. As said in my earlier blog on this walk, my only regret concerning this day was not having time to also climb Norman Bluff. Doomsday Bluff would have also been a nice addition to the agenda. They’ll be there for my return visit.
(www.ntureloverswalks.com/king-william-circuit/ )
Odo Tarn babies
Bayeux Bluff area to Lake Eva and Guelph Basin
I was glad about the fog: it leant a certain charm to the scenery that one of those sunny days just can’t match. The whole day seems wonderful to me as I look back on it – the whole weekend does. I can’t understand these scoffers of club walking. My credentials are proof that I don’t need a club to help me navigate or get through the bush. Those two factors are only a small part of the whole bushwalking experience. Camaraderie with likeminded people out-trumps (sorry to use that word, which has now taken on very negative connotations) other factors. Yes, I also like the solitude one can have in the wilderness, but you can get that, too. A mixture is great. The scoffers, I note, almost always go bush with friends, so it’s merely a matter of how you define your company. I feel it’s being elitist if you happen to have a group of good and willing friends with whom you can always go bush when you want to, to scoff at those whose circle of friends is somewhat different. Clubs like LWC, HWC and Pandani contribute hugely to the well being of the broader community, in both physical and mental aspects by enriching people’s lives and providing them with access to others who feel the same way as they do about being in the wilderness. I greatly enjoyed the company of my companions on this adventure, and would not have enjoyed it a tenth as much had I been alone. Humans are social creatures, and sharing experience is part of what makes us happy. I love my club friends, and to see them turn out in force to help search for Bruce when it was needed, when we thought we had a chance of saving him, warmed my heart (and our daughters’ hearts) hugely.
On our way back from Bayeux Bluff and Odo Tarn, we laughed together about some of our past shared adventures where things had gone “wrong”. Such is the fodder of tales and merriment for years after the event, and is only possible in a shared context.
The more westerly route is our outward one, as we wanted to follow Battle Ridge. On the return journey, we followed the broad valley up. Both routes were wonderful.