Canoeing @ MindSay

I am now back in civilisation and the fast paced world of today. I just finished spending the last 26 days in the Australian wilderness hiking, biking, canoeing, caving and living on my own. I’ve from Canberra, ACT to the rooftop of Australia in Kosciuszko down to Cape Conran in Victoria and the Bass Strait. I've led a team of ten people up the highest mountain in Australia and I've been leader of a six person on a four night expedition without accompaniment of higher experienced people. I’ve canoed for four days and sat alone under a bivee for three. I’ve made new friends, discovered new strengths in myself and improved my skills. I now have many goals that are no loner dreams for goals without plans are merely dreams. I put in 100% and I am proud of what I achieved.

 

Twenty-six days in the Australian outback have not only taught me many things and helped me to realise things that I might have only hoped to learn in a lifetime, but challenged me physically, emotionally, mentally and socially. I have conquered them all.

 

In twenty-six days I have not heard a word from the outside world and my only contact has been the ten people of Team Red (Simon’s Donkey’s) and occasionally another ten from Team Blue (Mum Cheryls). OB staff are the only people who had contact with the outside world.

 

Tomorrow I should have a job interview and I also arrange to start moving house too. I get my car back and my things and start the journey of completing my goals in the next six months. I have lots of friends to catch up with and plenty to do so I best get started with a good night’s sleep.

 

As for my friends, I’ll be speaking to you soon!

 

-- Lory

Lima Charlie

Summit to Sea 2008

 

.We read Deliverance in my honors class and decided to go canoeing.

.What rebels. And not the confederate kind.

.Does anyone else find it slightly disturbing that I'm going on a canoeing trip with the same class in which we read Deliverance?

We went with mom yesterday and did some canoeing off a lake by her house. It was fun even though it sprinkled a little.


Here was a butterfly that was at mom's. It was injured but still gorgeous.


Here is a long pier that lead to the lake.


A cute turtle that was there...


A friendly frog that let us pet him.


Here mom was getting the canoe set.


Savannah and the fish mom caught.

So that was our day. :D Sorry I couldnt explain more. Im just a little tired.

Good Morrow! I arose early this morning specifically to write as there has been so much happening lately I simply haven't had the opportunity. Thursday morning the Prince dropped me off at Lady Megan of Graves of Har's fief up in the hills. Her father had attach Lady Megan's canoe to the top of her carriage and we were destined for the large pond about a mile down the way.

We arrived shortly thereafter and headed down the lane in search of the owner of the pond. He is busily tranforming the vast land around the pond into a campground, one for travelers without much money I presume. But oh, it is a beautiful spot. As we walked Lady Megan told me of him, and how he was from a foreign land and had a nice accent. We found him and introduced ourselves. He remembered Megan's father, most townsfolk know of him, he is a great help to the town, and welcomed us into the pond. Though he did warn us that the weeds were quite trepidatious at this time of year.

We cared not as we pushed off into the pond. I was a little wary at first, as we did not have a driver or servant, but we were manuvering the boat ourselves. I had not done this since I was but a child. We floated and paddled around for about an hour or so and found ourselves growing hungry. By the sun we knew noon was drawing near. We pulled the canoe up onto the shore and drove back to the fief to inform her father of where it was. He took his carriage and retrieved it.

Meanwhile we busied ourselves in the kitchen, tossing the servants to other duties while we made lunch. It was an attempt at something new, and I enjoyed it, though our first tries were not so grand. Oy! We're nobles! We don't dawdle in kitchens!

However, last night I once again, dawdled. I return to school after next week and my days will be filled. Therefore, I wanted to make Prince Bryon some excellent meals this week. I know I'm a Lady, and soon to be royalty, but a woman should know how to cook for her man, should she not? Last night I made a wonderful Pub Stew inside of Yorkshire pudding. Bryon was most excited and enjoyed every bite! I thought it was a good warm meal for the day, though it is August. We had a rather horrendous storm earlier in the day that delayed Prince Bryon from the Castle. The storm was much needed, but the cold was a shock.

This afternoon I am off to explore my creativity once again. I am taking portraits of Viscountess Ashley of Canouse Manor. It should be a great deal of fun.

On the thought of fun, tomorrow the prince and I are of with Lady Megan and her beau, Lord Eugene of Jacksmiths.  We will be traveling to Stony Brook once more, but this time without the children!  Afterwards we may do dinner or something of the sort....

Until then, I am taking the time to relax with a book and take notes, so that I will not forget it again.