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The Real Joy of Walking.

Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:20 PM

I have just had the pleasure, courtesy of Bothfeet Walking Tours and Tourism Victoria of walking the Great Ocean Walk near Melbourne.
We all have busy lives but the last few weeks seemed busier than usual so I was in a bit of a flap getting organised to go away.
On the eve of departure my son's boarding hostel was evacuated due to an outbreak of scabies so my husband was delighted to have him and a friend home for the week I was away.
The older boys were in the middle of NCEA mock exams so I really felt like I was deserting a sinking ship.
Sometimes like most mothers I am consumed with organising everyone else that the effort in getting away doesn't seem worth it.
But I have to admit that those few days in the wind,rain and blistering fresh air have done me the world of good.
Put a group of total strangers together all with different circumstances and life experiences and stick them in the wilderness and you have a recipe for taking away (albeit temporarily) all the worries of the world!
The scenery along the Great Ocean road was spectacular. I didn't want to brag that we can certainly match that in NZ but we don't have cute koalas munching away in trees or mobs of kangaroos monitoring your progress.

Inhibitions get thrown out the window along with the hairbrush and lipstick and even though the walking can be challenging the impromptu karaoke made the climbs easy.

I have to admit this was luxury walking,gourmet food for every meal and the most gorgeous accommodation with generous and obliging hosts and guides.

Everything was provided by Bothfeet,in essence you could turn up with your shoes/boots and a heap of enthusiasm and the rest is taken care of.

Thank you to Barbara who won the trip and her dauhgter Tracey for being great company and relishing the opportunity, to Josie who I hope with her journalistic skills share more about the walk and Mal and Sue from Sydney..the pressure is on now to find a NZ experience that we can share together.

Cheers Susan