Tuesday, 16 August 2011 Wow what a feeling to be back in Australia. Home for Francine and now since Angie is an honorary Aussie, a home away from home. At least here we can walk safely in the street and enjoy our freedom that the Austrailian ( & Allied Forces) fought so hard in New Guinea and elsewhere to perserve. We will always carry with us, a better understanding of what it took to have those rights. A day of recovery at home and a visit from Fran's daughter in law Sarah and grandaughter Amelia. Just a lazy day after so many challenging days on the trail. Sarah also shared some of the wedding plans and the fun theme that will make this a really fun and special wedding for her and Jaymes. The washing machine ... read more

Day 6 August 10, 2011 Efogi to Menari. We depart Efogi and the morning is misty over the valleys. Today's walk involves up and down a little hill and a big hike uphill passing over Brigade Hill and The Saddle and crossing the Vabuiagi River. Today we hike 5 hours and it is very very steep. We walked up and across to Brigade Hill, the mist was closing, creating an errie sombre atmosphere. There were 76 stakes in the ground noting the graves of soldiers killed in battle. Their bodies were later removed to the Bamana War Cemetery in Port Moresby. The Japanese had waited and waited to attack. The Australians wait at the top of Brigade Hill. After a few days nothing happened. At 2am the Japanese attacked. They had made long ladders and lay ... read more

2, 3 ,4 August 2011 – PRE TRIP Monday. The beginning of our journey began with a very rocky start. A call from the owner of the travel company the day before we leave Sydney warned us that some of the land owners had banded together to block part of the Kokoda Track. The trip was in jeopardy. Tuesday. We talk to the tour company and it is decided we have to fly to PNG with the expectation of all proceeding. We (Francine) continue packing and ticking off our lists of required items. There is so much to take. Although only 16kg allowed. We succeeded to get it all in. But why do we need 10 cotton balls. (We never used them the entire trip). One of the many mysteries of our Trek. Tuesday at 5pm, ... read more

July 29th Angie is chilling out at Francine's while Francine is at work. ( Poor girl!) Angie is packing and repacking, checking list after list and making new lists. Trying to get everything together for the trip to Papua New Guinea. This evening after work we will be training together for the first time. Francine, Karen Ross (friend of Francine's) and I. It will be dark so the challenge is not only to tackle the steps and the hills but without seeing where I am going. I'll see how well I measure up to the Aussie trained hiker?? I can only keep my fingers crossed cause I have to keep my toes undone to keep up. This American girl had not met Wilson Rd. Hill, a very long and steep hill in the Terrigal area and ... read more

DAY 131 I left Charles De Gaulle airport really early in the morning. My flight was only 3 hours and what an airline (Icelandic Air). I had a tiny screen right in front of me and I could choose the movies I wanted to watch. I did have to buy my sandwich for 3 euros but the Pepsi was free. A really smooth flight. I landed in the Keflavik airport to find that I had gained 2 hours. Fabulous!! The drive to Reykjavik took about 35 minutes and then only to the bus station where I took a taxi to my hotel. I AM IN ICELAND!!! I can hardly believe it! My first impressions is that it is an island of mystery with dark looming clouds hanging over the mountain and the city itself. A cool ... read more