Well on day 67 Ken returned home after braving, and surviving 45 degree heat, bushfires, then torrential rain- 60 odd mm in a 24 hour period!! but his horse Koda, didnt, coming down with a chill in his back and severe pain, causing him to collapse away from any pressure or pressing on his back. A call to the vet and the looming thundery forecast and the decision was made to cut the ride at that point and call it quits this time. We are unsure just how far Ken went and are in the process of sitting down with map in hand and adding up the kilometres. I think you’ll agree with me that he picked a hard year (in hind sight) weather wise to take a long adventure by pack horse. The extreme weather conditions- almost from the moment he left – made it a true test of endurance.

When Ken finishes regrouping and readjusting back to “work around the house mode” hay carting and everything, he will be writing a big thankyou to all those wonderful people that helped along the way and really made his trip possible. The friendship and fellowship and enthusiasm of people  in the Riverland and in the Mid North was the highlight of the trip – just a wonderful thing. The patience of Josh – our son- who uploaded the map positions and set up and maintained the website for Ken to communicate his trip and Pam Brookman for her knowledgeable help.

The horses are happy to be back  all together in their old paddock they know and love and Koda is still a bit sore but fine.

Thanks for sharing Ken’s ride with us and thankyou for your wonderful supportive comments -except for the lawn bowls guy!!!

Will post some more photos soon

regards

Jan

Hello to all, At the moment Ken is at Spalding in the mid north of South Australia. The temperture has at times reached 41 degrees celsius and has sorely tried living outdoors. Thank God for pubs in those little towns along the way. He has, in the last two days made early morning rides, starting out at around 6 in the morning to try and beat the worst part of the day. Daily rides usually take around 6 or so hours and the distance between available drinking water and campsites – often ovals or showgrounds- govern where he settles down. Spirits  are up and the plan is to continue North towards Gulnare, Georgetown Wirrabara Forrest and up towards Quorn, then a quick trip around the top of the gulf (Port Augusta) (no water) to start again at Kimba and head down the Eyre Peninsula and back home.

More people to thank Mich Phin and hubby, Andrew of Booboorowie Seeds in the small town of “Boob” as the locals call it, who furnished Ken with fritz and sauce sandwiches  and Neville Clarke, local Quarterhorse breeder, who “just like that” showed up with two bales of hay for the horses in Spalding. Sonya Neville, Ken’s old workmate (they’re everywhere!!!- no he’s just been working for a long time), who thought of everything, even an extra warm blanket when the temperature dropped over 20 degrees suddenly one day and yours truly went into shock!!!!

The country has changed dramatically from the Riverland, checkered with vineyards and citrus groves, marginal cropping country and native scrub, parched and struggling with water shortage- drought level 4, to rolling country side with good cereal crops and hay cutting and transport in full swing.

It did make us a bit sad to ride up the railway lines in the mid north, that no longer function to come across old railway stations – a living reminder of our heritage and history, disintegrating before our very eyes. Part of the magic of riding for me and I think I can speak for Ken too, is to follow (albeit in a modest way) some of the paths of the early settlers and to experience how it must have been for them, at the whim of the weather and water availability with harsher conditions than what we are used to. I fear that part of our heritage and character is not honoured in South Australia, by letting it slip away!! It would be nice if we could maintain the railway stations at least.

The weight continues to fall off, the shoes are holding up good – good on you Rossi’s – and we still might reach our thousand miles yet!!!!            New photos on Gallery 3.

 

Pat and Jeff Schwartz at Merildin

Ken and JD

Hello to everybody. I’m back from my 3 week sojourn, wandering the backtracks and abandoned train tracks of South Australia. When I caught up with Ken in Renmark he was in a quandry as to which direction to take to progress his journey. After a quick trip in JD’s car checking out the track from Renmark to Wentworth , he decided it was way too dry with minimal feed for the horses and remote enough not to take the gamble on making it. Hence the turn around and decision to follow the other side of the Murray River(Southern side) along to head East towards the mid north (Clare and other lesser known valleys) again where the feed this year has been extraordinary.

 

Ken is anxious to thank some of the  wonderful , helpful people along the way- especially JD in Cooltong (North of Renmark) farrier and knowledgeable local who became a fast friend and wonderful help above and beyond the call of HELP!!

Also The Borthwicks- Buck and Judy, kids and dogs and dad Trevor, who were happy to let us camp on their property and who turns out know mutual friends in Cowell.

Ken Nitschke from Benson Park between Waikerie and Kingston on Murray, (see website link) who made us feel extremely welcome, cooking a full on BBQ and housing our horses on…GREEN pastures… and Amy who also helped make our stay pleasant.

 

Ken I from Benson Park and Ken II

 

 

Malcolm Inwood, dropped hay off to the Waikerie caravan park out of the blue, then when he introduced himself was keen to help in any way he could. He pointed us in the right direction and put us onto Budgie Schiller ( yes you heard right) who also was keen to help and housed us on his brother in law’s place at Eudunda. Thanks Malcolm and Budgie.

Jeff Schwartz tracked us to Moorook from the midnorth as he hadn’t seen any updates on the website and wondered if we were still ok, then when we got to Eudunda, helped us with logistcs and with his wife Pat, set up a BBQ at Merildin railway station.

Sister Di and partner John were just wonderful.

All of these people, got a lot of pleasure out of helping Ken on his quest. A few were envious and would like to do the same, but they all gave us willingly of their time and energy, local knowledge and help. I hope they don’t underestimate how much this meant to both Ken and I.

Another post and photos tomorrow and hopefully a video or to in the near future.

No other dramas except for the possum that wee d on Ken from up the tree above – Ken was rightly disgusted!!!!

Well, as you have probably noticed, Ken has not continued into NSW and Victoria as planned. When the next phase of reconnaisance was attempted, we found that there was not enough feed along the river nor access to water that would allow ongoing travell. Station owners along Chowilla and beyond were exceptionally helpful and welcoming, but the decision to come back along the river on to the other side was most sensible.

Thanks to JD from Renmark for all his amazing help!

We’re heading back along the Claire Vaslley to Quorn. Having an awesome time. The horses are good and are coping well; shoes are holding up and even the food is good!!

 

Jan

The Morgan op shop proved very fruitful – even lifesaving with a “Cowboys” bomber jacket. The only thing that would fit him in the shop but very appropriate just the same!! Since that time, the boys have picked up and recooperated, as has Ken – his toes- rubbed raw have mended nicely  and he has been making his way leisurely along the  river route. There has only been one mishap, when Cally (the pack horse extraordinaire) lost his footing and headbutted Ken’s thigh as he went down, giving Ken the worst “corky” (corked thigh) he’s ever had. Ken thought he was down for the count but after 15 minutes of intense pain, nausea and slight dizziness he recovered!!!!

The little tent that was taken along with him has proved a good friend  and adversary in keeping the weather elements at bay, with gale force winds and driving rain causing the tent to bend and squash, only to pop back into shape when the wind subsided for a time.

When I  spoke to him tonight, he had been a little disheartened at losing the horses 2 water  bags and feed bags during the day, only to be rescued by a local- the manager of Glen Devlin Wines- Josh O’Shea, who went out of his way to help Ken regroup and give him guidance and local knowledge and point him in a better direction than the one he was going to go in!!!! Thanks Josh from Ken.

He’s seen a couple of  large Echidnas and a few large snakes but nothing’s been mentioned about freshly caught fish or yabbies. He will have some company for the next couple of weeks (me) and I’ve been given a long list of “please bring’s” to repair or replace things that haven’t lived up to the pace.

Glad you are enjoying the website. Watch this space!!

Jan

Day 23 and he’s still on the go. Having pitted himself against the ravages of the weather he’s now enduring lack of food for the horses (saltbush)and stony roads- not good for the horses feet. He’s decided instead of trying to do the stage of Robertstown to Morgan in three days- he’s made a made dash and done it in two. He and the horses are exhausted and are having a couple of well earned rest days in Morgan. The photos below are from Ungarra to Snowtown.   Jan

Straight track Ungarra-Wharminda

 

 

Kadina showing the track

1st camp out from Kulpara to Bute

Monday 28th September - Just out of Bute going to Barunga

Just out of Snowtown with a train passing

Fryars Road, just north of Snowtown

Ken repacking at Kadina with Shadow the wonder dog keeping watch

Setting up the electric fence for the boys

Sorry about the late posting- I had a time management issue. Back on track now. Well, Ken has now diverted directly to the East, going from Rudall over to Kadina on the Yorke Peninsula. With some fresh new boots and different type of country to travel through, he has been really getting into a routine and with the occasional mishap has made it to Robertstown in the mid north of South Australia (above Adelaide)

He has been traveling through the beautiful Clare Valley region, well known for exceptional wines, probably picking up a bottle or two as he went along. Ken has met a great many helpful people, especially Mr Jaeschke, who gave him a safe haven and a couple of bales of hay for the horses. However, he shouldn’t have listened to the well meaning local who said it wasn’t going to rain, only to have approx 25mm fall over night and half the next day – Ken didnt put up the tent and spent a lot of that time staring at the roof of the swag!!

His next destination is Morgan where he meets up with the mighty Murray River.

We weren’t sure if he was going to have to throw out all the home dried fruit and veg as he was nearing the fruit fly exclusion zone but after checking with Primary Industries and Resources of South Australia (PIRSA) see link, we found that it was ok to take dried fruit.

More pictures and notes are on their way and there’ll be a further update in the next couple of days!!

Jan

Callie and Koda chillin' out

Shadow has spied something amiss!

Pam Brookman Font of knowledge, friend and a "longrider" herself

Ken survived the day of rain, hail- which the horses didn’t like too much, gale force winds, wet everything and a nail in his boots. He was chipper despite the elements (now that he had dry clothes and  change of shoes) and was looking forward to hunkering down with a cuppa and some good wholesome dry food

A rest day is on the cards tomorrow, so he can spend some time dreaming of tv’s, football, books, allow his feet to heal and he may start appreciating home cooked food – well you never know!!!!

Jan

Koppio Cemetery

Koppio Cemetery

Moody Rock area

Cally and Koda enjoying a toffee apple together

Cally (pack horse) & Koda

Keep on smiling

“I drove out to check how he was going and to take up the scales he’d forgotten and he was tired as you can imagine he would be after 3 days in the saddle ( I can hear some people giggling).
We had a laugh over the camp fire and and a cuppa with Barry Evans, (prawny and  farmer) who gave me directions ( ok-so I got lost at Ungarra – took me an hour to find Ken – mobile phones dont work out there- I had to do some tracking). I left him smiling and rejuvenated to keep going at a less demanding pace – at least to begin with.”
Jan

We found an incredible place just where we were camping called Moody’s rock, which is a natural granite slope that has been built with a HUGE tank at the base of it and bricked up on the sides so that rainfall could be caught and stored for the steam trains. The last steam train ran in 1969. It was a surprise – one of those local things that you have to discover yourself!!!