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Sunday 6th April
The day after the big concert and… whoo… still tonnes of work to be done. As everyone has been absolutely focussed on the concert and that has now passed, there has come a realisation that the ride will be officially over in less than a week!
Yola, John and the girls had an unexpected early morning awakening, when the security guards at the racecourse woke them and told them to pack up their truck and leave the grounds – security had not realised that they were still there after the rest of the team had vacated the premises. The trucks and all the gear had to be moved in the early morning after the crew was told that stopping at the racecourse overnight contravened the Race Club’s insurance!
A sleep-in was in order for the entire crew, as the pace of the past week had been very hectic. Today had been slated as an "official day off", but of course the horses still needed feeding and a fair bit of squaring away was required after the concert in terms of the remaining merchandise and cleaning up. The team managed to all sneak away to spend time with friends and family before things began again in earnest tomorrow
Being a Sunday, a vast majority of businesses that we needed to touch base with would not be available until tomorrow morning, so after everything has been taken care of with respect to returning borrowed equipment, media and sponsor commitments, Tuesday morning will be the earliest that the riders will return to the saddle. One thing is for certain, the horses are very, very fit and are jumping out of their skin with the cooler days we now have.
The Campfires crew spent the day getting organised and packed up for the final push to Corryong. As usual, the longer one spends camped in the one location, the more effort it takes to pack up everything that has been pulled out and used!
We must all extend our thanks to the Police Youth Pony Club for allowing the team and their horses to spend an entire week camped at their grounds in Corry’s Road. The team was spoiled with some of the best facilities and there is nothing better than a long, hot shower after a cold night in the swag (or at a concert for that matter!)
Some of the guest riders taking part in the final four days of the ride have arrived in town, ready for tomorrow’s early departure. The first day out is a ride to Tallangatta, some 41 kilometres by the route that Dennis Cardwell has planned for us. No doubt about it, between Dennis and Warwick Phegan, a marvellous job has been done getting things organised for the last few days to Corryong, taking the pressure off the team, and making for a pleasurable ride for all.
Monday 7th April
An early start this morning for all riders. Warwick had organised for a majority of the guest riders to meet at the Albury racecourse, from which they rode out to the PYC Pony Club grounds and met up with the Campfires team and the balance of the guest riders, before striking out in earnest.
Many of the horses were fresh and some of the riders faced a day of jig-jogging and misbehaving ponies before they settled down.
Today’s route took the riders on an interesting ride from the Pony Club grounds, along the side of the Riverina Highway, out to the Hume Weir, over Heywood’s Bridge below the Weir wall, and along the road towards Latchford Barracks.
The riders paused at the Kookaburra Store for a quick bite and a "pit-stop" for those in need, before heading off across the weir basin for the lunch stop at Ebden reserve. The road crew had already arrived and had the barbecue sizzling for the arrival of the riders. After a hearty lunch (and some feed and water for the horses), the riders remounted and continued toward Tallangatta. We were fortunate enough to follow the old railway line along between the weir and the Murray Valley Highway, staying well off the road and taking in some great scenery.
Due to the drought and the water in Lake Hume being so low, we were able to turn left at the old Huon Railway Siding and ride across the bottom of the weir, avoiding the additional nine kilometres ride around the Sandy Inlet arm.
The riders all enjoyed a long steady canter across the normally submerged land and managed to find their way to the access gate on the far side, which led back up to the highway.
The afternoon shadows were beginning to stretch long by the time the riders (which were spread out over the best part of two kilometres) arrived at the Tallangatta showgrounds. The Tallangatta community welcomed the riders and the local football club catered for the riders and their supporters. Some of the novice riders were feeling the pinch a little after the first day, being the big one that it was!
A few old acquaintances were renewed with some of the locals, and a visit to the local watering holes was a must for supplies.
After dinner and a few "refreshments" everyone gathered around the campfire for a "Southbound" led singalong, with people taking turns singing and playing for the entertainment of everyone else. It was the perfect end to a fantastic day.
Tuesday 8th April
After a really nice breakfast, again catered for by the football club, the riders (both fit and weary) saddled up for a parade through the Tallangatta township this morning, taking a circular route through the (normally) waterside town. A special effort was made to pass of the local nursing home, where the residents were out in force to wish all the riders well.
Today was a much shorter day than yesterday, taking the riders from Tallangatta to the picturesque hamlet of Tallangatta Valley. But first, the riders faced a relatively daunting (especially if they feared heights!) ride across the old railway bridge over the Tatonga Inlet.
As most of the day was spent on backroads, traffic was not an issue at any time, except for the initial crossing the Murray Valley Highway, and the riders could enjoy the ride through the hills and valleys that lead to Tallangatta Valley.
The horses that had given a bit of trouble yesterday seemed to be a little more relaxed today, especially after the long ride yesterday. A couple with a fair percentage of Arab breeding were still a bit "on their toes" much to the discomfort of their riders.
Upon arrival at the Tallangatta Valley football ground, the horses were tied, or yarded at different spots around the ground, and in some spots there was actually a bit of good grass for a pick – something that is still desperately lacking in the most part, due to the continued lack of rain in this area.
The evening turned quite cool and the riders headed to the football clubrooms, which had fantastic facilities and two roaring log fires. It was definitely THE place to be to keep warm. The local club catered for dinner, and the hungry riders and guests eagerly devoured the hot food.
Another evening of singing and merriment transpired, with everyone indulging in the fellowship that comes with riding horses for long days. Todd and Mick from Southbound were the stayers for the night, obviously living up to the "muso" reputation – although Todd was starting to feel the effects of the mighty effort of two consecutive LONG days in the saddle!
Wednesday 9th April
A few sore heads amongst the campers this morning, after trying a little to hard to keep out the cold. Todd was walking funny, as his legs had started to stiffen right up after the unfamiliar movement over the past two days.
The riders headed out of Tallangatta Valley around 8.30am, stringing out along the track as everyone assumed their individual riding pace. Our goal today was camp at the Berringama Hall, where there was no running water but ample space for the horses.
The ride today was along backroads and fire trails, in pine plantations and through native Australian forests. Some of the best sights were along the old railway line that meanders up through the valleys, where some fantastic old timber trestle bridges bare testimony to the railway workers of days gone by.
Lunch was at a tranquil clearing in the middle of a huge plantation area, out of the breeze, and it was very easy to doze off in the sun, especially if one had been awake for more hours than normal!
It was a great sight to see the riders and horses coming in over the undulating foothills that surround Berringama. After three solid days ride, all the horses were now performing better, with the highly strung ones now settling, although the condition of some of the riders was starting to deteriorate, as chafing and blisters began to take their toll.
The great news for the rest of the crew is that there is only a short ride into Coolac Coolac tomorrow and the word is that the camping spot is an absolute ripper.
After yesterday evening’s celebrations, tonight was relatively subdued, with most of the campers climbing into their swags a little earlier than usual.
Thursday 10th April
The riders saddled again and headed off into the crisp mountain morning knowing that the ride is all but over. A relatively short and simple ride today and everyone was happy to chat and laugh of the experiences over the past few days.
Today’s ride was fantastic, as the hills and countryside formed a beautiful backdrop to the meandering road, which wound its way to Coolac Coolac.
Dan had to ride ahead into town this evening, as he will be unable to complete the ride with the rest of the troupe due to his entry into the Man From Snowy River competition. Preliminaries commence tomorrow and Dan will be required throughout the day to undertake different components of the event.
By the time the riders arrived at the camping ground (some 2 kilometres up the Benambra Road from Coolac Coolac) the day had warmed up considerably, and all of the horses appreciated a really good wash from the hoses at the campsite. The odd playful squirt was also directed at riding friends waiting their turn of the hose.
The campgrounds were in an excellent spot, on the banks of the Nariel Creek, with good shade trees along the riverbank and again plenty of space for the horses to be kept.
Many of the riders took the opportunity to sneak into Corryong to resupply and partake in some "civilised bathing" before heading back out to the camp for the evening.
Everyone who had made the trip from Darwin had very mixed feelings tonight – tomorrow heralds the final day of the ride – the culmination of many, many months of hard work and the effort of moving humans, horses and cattle, over thousands of kilometres to our final destination. It was a time to reflect on the people we had met, the experiences we had shared, and the amazing land that we call home.
Friday 11th April
Seven kilometres to go… and its all over! That was the thought that no doubt passed through every team member’s head this morning.
It was a very late start this morning as the street parade in Corryong was not due to kick off until later in the day.
Dan left camp early to continue with his events in the Challenge and the rest of the crew prepared for the street parade. Everyone (wherever they were) watched the skies as it started to become quite overcast and threatening, and we all were hopeful that it might just rain on our parade! Water is desperately needed here at present as it is as dry as it has ever been at this time of year.
All too soon it was time to head into town and the riders set off at intervals – some of the riders that were feeling the pinch, after over one hundred kilometres in the saddle, set off a little earlier to cover the distance easily. Col and a few others from the team had gone in to watch Dan compete, arrived back just in time to get saddled in a hurry and get to town. Dan would leave the Challenge event and meet us at the commencement of the parade, having already covered the distance to town two nights ago.
Ian rode into town with Dan’s uncle, John, and this seemed pretty fitting since John was both Ian and Dan’s boss when the ride was originally nutted out a few years ago. They were tail-end Charlies and it was quite emotional (yet again) riding into the town limits, and seeing all the riders waiting for the final gathering to move to the parade.
Everyone gathered together and marched in pairs, taking the backroads around to the showgrounds and then back up to the main street for the parade marshalling. The riders then met up with another group who had just ridden in on Riley’s Ride, commemorating the last ride of the alleged original Man From Snowy River – Jack Riley. There were some familiar faces from back up the track and again acquaintances would be renewed in good spirits.
As the parade commenced (Dan arrived with only minutes to spare) light rain began to sprinkle and a very vocal and emotional crowd welcomed both groups of riders to the town. The riders then made their way to the cemetery where a guard of honour was formed for the official opening of the festival.
Dan was called upon to speak about the ride and it was an emotional time for everyone in the team as the realisation that these few moments really did mean the completion of an epic journey for us all. After the completion of the formalities, the riders made their way to the camping area, except Dan, Col, Ian and Yola. The four headed to the nearest hotel with their horses and savoured a few celebratory beers to finish the ride.
The four then headed back to the Corryong showgrounds and as the sun was setting, gave their horses a good feed and water after a job well done.
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