Well, gosh, Prue. I'm impressed that you even *tried* given your known physical constraints. And, I am empathetic, having had to give up a not-especially-difficult walk to the Barrenjoey lighthouse when we were in Palm Beach, due to chronic Achilles crankiness. I was able to spend that time w/ the kiddo who lives in Oz and prefers shopping, while my husband and older daughter did the hike. But, part of me was disappointed. On we go!
And, in that vein, THAT VIDEO! I shared it with four young women, two who continue to row and two who once did. So inspiring! Thank you for all of it.
Oh Palm Beach! I'd love to stay in some lovely house there (and pretend I was in the movie Palm Beach - Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Richard E Grant all depicted as age-ing folk like us!!!) and attempt to climb Barrenjoey. I love lighthouses - there's such a mystery about them.
And I had the feeling that you would enjoy the rowing clip! Thank you so much for your kind comments.
We had the fantastic privilege of being given a place there to spend our first five days in Australia, from folks associated with our daughter's work. Just us, and an occasional visit from a boyfriend. Bliss! Despite not feeling up for the climb. :)
Oh Prue, well done for even attempting it , and also for recognising when to stop and keeping safe, Thanks for the video clip, quite mesmerising to watch :)
Thanks Libby. I'll be honest and say I was so glad when my husband called time and tapped us out.
My neck was sore from looking down constantly to avoid loss of balance. In addition, my wrists got sore from clutching the poles until I worked out I could roll them in my hands. As for my leg... sigh. Just a body that's falling apart from the neck down. Gotta laugh, I suppose!
Hi Prue, The win is in getting as far as you got - bravo. Even in my young days, I could not have done it. The pictures are wonderful - thanks for sharing.
Such a wonderful post, Prue - you’ve transported me right there! And in my mind’s eye, I haven’t made it to the bottom of Tasmania either - instead I’ve joined you at the cafe and we’re congratulating ourselves for not risking our joints, muscles and bones on those paths!
Pictures are incredible - lovely to see you and that huge chunk of kelp! - and your writing is stunning.
Not enough bandwidth today for streaming, but I’m looking forward to the video later. X
Even if you didn’t make it quite to the very Southern tip, you still get the sense of being at the end of the world when you’re down there I think. And it always makes me think that, in the scheme of things, there really are very few people who have been that far south. And the accommodation looks great.
True. It does feel like the absolute end of the world. There's a sense that if the world disintegrates, Tasmania, especially the southeast and southwest, will always be safe. Rather comforting.
The accomodation was so much more than five star and we would go back in a heartbeat. The silence and lack of people anywhere was sheer balm . One has to go with food because there are no shops, but that's never worried husband and self. In fact, for the last 14 years, we've been venturing to Tassie's top home stays (the more isolated the better) and going prepared so we can bunker down and just explore the closest wild environs.
Jul 15, 2023·edited Jul 15, 2023Liked by prue batten
Prue, I'm in admiration that you gave it a go, it looked very difficult! I struggle with hiking – my coordination is not great and I have no sense of direction – so even a few hours is challenging for me. That lodge looked lovely and much more fun! That kelp looks amazing too, was it bull kelp? I've never been to Tasmania (well, not yet) but have just finished watching Alone Australia which was filmed there near the west coast, I think.
Hi Shona, was thinking of you last night when I realised its 2 weeks since I've been for a swim. I suspect I need one to slough off the last week - I always feel reborn in an almost biblical sense after a swim.
The lodge was much more than five star and I would recommend it to anyone who seeks peace.
Yes, bull kelp. We have a few remaining forests of it along the coastline and scientists are very keen to encourage its regrowth. The trouble is the salmon farms to the left of where we were staying. The fallout (poo, lets be honest) puts a slime over everything and creates dead-zones. I've been a rabid anti-salmon farm protester in my time. A waste of energy of course because governments of all colours are so heavily in the pockets of big business that Tasmanian salmon farms have been able to write their own existence over the top of our environment.
Oops! I'm on my bandwagon! I'll hush up now. Thank you for commenting.
What a wonderful story to share! The effort to even stand up let along move forward on that trail looks and sounded astonishing. Well done you for giving it your all and then remembering that being able to continue hiking in the future is more important than a particular goal that day. I'm glad you had a cheery recovery natter in the cafe afterwards. I'm like you in that mainly I am perfectly happy on my own but good company can be a unexpected shot of inspiration and creativity you didn't know you were craving. The three day retreat sounded perfect. The video was amazing-I used to row when I was a teenager and we had the early morning time slot which we grumbled about but had the benefit of incredible light and sunrises which I am ever-thankful for experiencing. A wonderful post pure-thanks so much!
Thank you so much, Sabrina. It is a lovely memory to have, particularly as when we returned, one of our family was quite ill. And so we have that memory to retreat to in trying times.
So glad you liked the rowing video - I love watching it, it's quite mesmerising.
Well, gosh, Prue. I'm impressed that you even *tried* given your known physical constraints. And, I am empathetic, having had to give up a not-especially-difficult walk to the Barrenjoey lighthouse when we were in Palm Beach, due to chronic Achilles crankiness. I was able to spend that time w/ the kiddo who lives in Oz and prefers shopping, while my husband and older daughter did the hike. But, part of me was disappointed. On we go!
And, in that vein, THAT VIDEO! I shared it with four young women, two who continue to row and two who once did. So inspiring! Thank you for all of it.
Oh Palm Beach! I'd love to stay in some lovely house there (and pretend I was in the movie Palm Beach - Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Richard E Grant all depicted as age-ing folk like us!!!) and attempt to climb Barrenjoey. I love lighthouses - there's such a mystery about them.
And I had the feeling that you would enjoy the rowing clip! Thank you so much for your kind comments.
We had the fantastic privilege of being given a place there to spend our first five days in Australia, from folks associated with our daughter's work. Just us, and an occasional visit from a boyfriend. Bliss! Despite not feeling up for the climb. :)
Bliss indeed. Palm Beach looks heavenly! Oh well - another place for the bucket list ...
Oh Prue, well done for even attempting it , and also for recognising when to stop and keeping safe, Thanks for the video clip, quite mesmerising to watch :)
Thanks Libby. I'll be honest and say I was so glad when my husband called time and tapped us out.
My neck was sore from looking down constantly to avoid loss of balance. In addition, my wrists got sore from clutching the poles until I worked out I could roll them in my hands. As for my leg... sigh. Just a body that's falling apart from the neck down. Gotta laugh, I suppose!
Hi Prue, The win is in getting as far as you got - bravo. Even in my young days, I could not have done it. The pictures are wonderful - thanks for sharing.
Oh thank you, Janice. I always have this problem that I aim far higher than my capabilities. With inevitable results...
Such a wonderful post, Prue - you’ve transported me right there! And in my mind’s eye, I haven’t made it to the bottom of Tasmania either - instead I’ve joined you at the cafe and we’re congratulating ourselves for not risking our joints, muscles and bones on those paths!
Pictures are incredible - lovely to see you and that huge chunk of kelp! - and your writing is stunning.
Not enough bandwidth today for streaming, but I’m looking forward to the video later. X
I suspect you and I might get on very well in real life, Rebecca. Thank you for taking time to read and comment!
I agree! And such a pleasure. xxx
Even if you didn’t make it quite to the very Southern tip, you still get the sense of being at the end of the world when you’re down there I think. And it always makes me think that, in the scheme of things, there really are very few people who have been that far south. And the accommodation looks great.
True. It does feel like the absolute end of the world. There's a sense that if the world disintegrates, Tasmania, especially the southeast and southwest, will always be safe. Rather comforting.
The accomodation was so much more than five star and we would go back in a heartbeat. The silence and lack of people anywhere was sheer balm . One has to go with food because there are no shops, but that's never worried husband and self. In fact, for the last 14 years, we've been venturing to Tassie's top home stays (the more isolated the better) and going prepared so we can bunker down and just explore the closest wild environs.
Prue, I'm in admiration that you gave it a go, it looked very difficult! I struggle with hiking – my coordination is not great and I have no sense of direction – so even a few hours is challenging for me. That lodge looked lovely and much more fun! That kelp looks amazing too, was it bull kelp? I've never been to Tasmania (well, not yet) but have just finished watching Alone Australia which was filmed there near the west coast, I think.
Hi Shona, was thinking of you last night when I realised its 2 weeks since I've been for a swim. I suspect I need one to slough off the last week - I always feel reborn in an almost biblical sense after a swim.
The lodge was much more than five star and I would recommend it to anyone who seeks peace.
Yes, bull kelp. We have a few remaining forests of it along the coastline and scientists are very keen to encourage its regrowth. The trouble is the salmon farms to the left of where we were staying. The fallout (poo, lets be honest) puts a slime over everything and creates dead-zones. I've been a rabid anti-salmon farm protester in my time. A waste of energy of course because governments of all colours are so heavily in the pockets of big business that Tasmanian salmon farms have been able to write their own existence over the top of our environment.
Oops! I'm on my bandwagon! I'll hush up now. Thank you for commenting.
What a wonderful story to share! The effort to even stand up let along move forward on that trail looks and sounded astonishing. Well done you for giving it your all and then remembering that being able to continue hiking in the future is more important than a particular goal that day. I'm glad you had a cheery recovery natter in the cafe afterwards. I'm like you in that mainly I am perfectly happy on my own but good company can be a unexpected shot of inspiration and creativity you didn't know you were craving. The three day retreat sounded perfect. The video was amazing-I used to row when I was a teenager and we had the early morning time slot which we grumbled about but had the benefit of incredible light and sunrises which I am ever-thankful for experiencing. A wonderful post pure-thanks so much!
Thank you so much, Sabrina. It is a lovely memory to have, particularly as when we returned, one of our family was quite ill. And so we have that memory to retreat to in trying times.
So glad you liked the rowing video - I love watching it, it's quite mesmerising.