San Fran

Well, I'm about 20 minutes away from boarding my plane to fly into Vancouver.

It's been a long journey (over 30, 000 km), but a great one.

It's kind of odd, listening to people here. They dont have the Aussie accent, and thusly sound forieng. Guess I got to be re-Canadianized.

PS. I am not a fan of the secruity measures at this establishment.

I will post again later. With a summary of my final day in Oz.

Till then,

Yours In Rovering,

Kimberly McGilvray
xox

In Closing

Well folks, a lovely two weeks have came and gone. Made a lot of friends, scene a lot of things, and had a blast while doing it.

Last night was the kick off for WAM! The next Moot in three years in Perth.

Yesterday I spent the day on site, saying good bye to some hard good byes to good friends. I look forward to seeing them again later in life.

Today I will be packing up, heading to the airport, and heading into Sydney till January 14th, and then heading home.

I can't wait to see everyone, and show off my golden arms. ;-)

Time to pack!

Yours In Rovering,

Kimberly McGilvray
xox

Caught Up

There are 6 or 7 new blogs up. Sorry it took me so long to post.

Yours In Rovering,

Kimberly McGilvray
xox

Mounted Beavers.

Land yatching. That was the event of the day. Basically, a three wheeled go cart, with a sail on it. Most of the day wasn’t windy enough to push us around for a good time, but we did get to a few places.

So, the guy running the station, took one land yatch and took off the sail, got one person to steer, and another to hand onto some rope. The other end of the rope was tied to his atv. I was the poor sod who got to hold the rope. I meet some dirt. It was fun. Whipping around, going threw the pricklies, over a dead log, yep. Highlight of my day for sure.

When dinner had ended, it was off to the Arena for Contingent night. An evening where all the different contingents perform. Canada, did a monologue that was loved, followed by Rocks and Trees by the Arrogant Worms. Again, it was loved.

Tomorrow, I go into the CBD, and start to pack up and get ready for closing. Sad Panda. Though I am happy to finally be going to a REAL bed, and a bathroom I know is CLEAN.

Till next time,

Yours In Rovering,

Kimberly McGilvray
xox

Kangaroos and Emus

Today I went to Handorf and Cleland. Our first stop was morning tea at Mt. Lofty’s summit. It was cool to see all of Adelaide before me. We also saw the Ashes (left over trees from the last big forest fire). Since there was time to kill, we managed to see two native birds on our trails. Huzzah!

Next, we went to Cleland Sanctuary. There, I saw more Koalas, Dingos (a wild dog that’s a pest, but not), Tasmanian Devils (super cute, I love them), and of course Kangaroos and Emus. Here’s the best part, I was able to FEED and PET them. Well, the Kangaroo, not the Emu. They scared me to be honest. Different feeling having them eat out of your hand.

Next, we went to Warrongo Sanctuary for lunch. Upon our hunt, we didn’t see any Platapues (very sad), but I did get a lovely lunch.

From there, we whisked away to Beerenburg in Handorf. Beerenburg is not a brewery, but rather a strawberry farm. Jams, jams, jams. Oh so many jams.

Next, there was an exploration of Handorf itself. This is a german town suburb. So much chocolate. Oh man. I tried a peanut butter truffle. It was heaven in my mouth. I also went through the local art’s gallery. A water colour master.

We stopped off at Melbour, a giant chocolate factory. Oh, it was glorious. So much chocolate. Take a Purdies factory, and make it into an outlet store, with actual viewing areas. They were closing down when we got there, but it didn’t stop me from indulging.

After dinner, was the East Man Shield Competition. We are still waiting to hear how we did, but we do know, we stomped Queensland. Super hard. We won 3/3 challenges (there 60 odd contingent against our 9 person. Win).

And away the evening went towards the Togas.

Yours In Rovering,

Kimberly McGilvray
xox

Surfing

I’ve got a bit of a story to tell. It’s about a blue camera. This blue camera is waterproof. It has been up Mt. Arapiles, Mt. Bluff, across the country, in the pacific, in hot springs, in 4 of 5 of the great lakes, scene the Great Barrier Reef, and the east coast of Australia.

Today, while I was surfing, due to a quick decision to try and untangle myself from the leash of my board, I passed it over to the instructor. I untangled. I go back to get my camera to get a few pictures of Tyler actually surfing, and the blue camera was taken by the southern ocean.

Crap.

Later in the day, I go for a stroll on the beach, and see a guy, mucking about with a blue camera. Guess whose camera? Oh yeah. I go, inquire. Go figure, he deleted all my pictures, claimed it as his own, and left.

Double Crap.

So, away goes my camera, to some new adventures with some jack ass.

Luckily, I have all my pictures on my computer. God damn I feel smart.

Now, about the surfing, minus the camera bits.

I go threw a good tutorial, and hit the waves. I jump up and down, and giggle. I love it. The power of the ocean is simply, amazing. I paddle around for a bit on my board, feel off balance, and just give her. Of course, just like my trip to Tifino, I end up toppling over, going splash, and giggling when I get up. Repeat this for about an hour. The good part, I did far better then I did in Tifino. YAHOO!!!

Then enter Camera bit.

Tonight, is beach night. Meaning there is a mechanical surf boards (instead of a bull), and wake boards and beach bums everywhere in the Arena. It’s not about 11 pm here at the Moot, and tomorrow, I get to go an explore some sanctuaries, a brewery, meet a local artist, and I’m sure there is something else. It’s also the competition for the Eastman shield. I’m proud to report, the Canadian Contingent is going to give it her all to win (doubtful, but we will do our best!) Only 5 competitions to win!

The following day will be Land Yachting. I’ve heard a few not so great things about it, but that’s ok. It’ll be something new. It will also then be Contingent Night. (and of course the contingent has came up with a few brilliant things, the “I am Canadian” Monologue, followed by an action scout song “Rocks and Trees”. It’s almost too perfect.

The last day of Moot will be an adventure into Adelaide, most likely a trip to the beach if the weather is awesome.

Yours In Rovering,

Kimberly McGilvray
xox

Servicing Brooms

At first, it seemed to suck. As comes the role of being a Rover, we get to complete our moot “Service”. For the moot, we got to garden. 8 hectares of land. There is more to Woodside (current site) about 5 minutes away from where we are now. The property was sold to a conservation group. This property is infested with a European weed called Brooms.

Brooms can be tini-tiny, or twelve foot monsters. Our jobs where to clear it, poisons it, and call it a safe area for the unique native plants and animals to thrive.

Aside from the 37 degree weather, unbearable sun, and the bugs, I actually enjoyed the service project. True fully, I would have rather done some trail maintenance or building, maybe some campfire pit improvements, built a fence or picnic area, maybe even lashed together a bridge for the area. Instead, I got to do a World Conservation job.

Over all, we floored the rangers, and completed what they estimated to be 5 days worth of work in one day. Win.

Yours In Rovering

Kimberly McGilvray
xox

Bonanza

Once reunited with everyone, it was a time to share stories of the expeditions, giggle over the silliness, and envy for a few of the experiences. The evening quickly took hold and the Arena was alive. Of course, I got to have my share of enlightenment for it was January 6^th.

Birthdays in oz, never mind at a Scouting camp, are an experience of a life time. Random random random people with come up to you and say happy birthday, and chat you up as if you were an old friend. They would also know your name, and age. Got to love gossip.

Yours In Rovering,

Kimberly McGilvray
xox

Expedition – Rock Climbing

Day 1

A four hour drive let us to Natimuk Caravan camp site, where we set up base before going to Mt. Arapiles. We had a few top rope climbs on Mt. Mire, all of which were to see where our skills laid. Naturally, I’m at the bottom of the heap given it’s my first time on a rock wall (minus birthday parties at the gym, they don’t count though). We even had time to go bouldering.

I learned the basis of how to tie off, the calls, and even how to belay someone!

Once the sun went down, we packed it in and went to camp for a hearty dinner.

Day 2

Wake up at 7 am, grab the gear, go to the kitchen, enjoy a quick breakfast, pile into the bus, and head towards the rock.

The morning climbs where the same as the previous, with various grades to challenge different people. I was able to do the easiest climb, and headed towards the back of the rock to abseil down to the ground (the same as repelling).

A quick break for lunch and we divided up, and my group of four (a lead climber that was also an instructor, a seconder, myself, and another instructor to help me if I had any problems). We were in the Oregon Pipes, climbing D Major (a two pitch climb at 50 m). It was a grade 10, and man did I feel great after that.

Once I had walked/abseil back down, we headed into town so that my one instructor could get new climbing boots. Everyone else did more bouldering and went to the summit before coming back to base for a roast dinner.

Day 3

The normal rush in the morning. Off we went and divided up into 2, 2, and 5. While in the 5, we went to Declaration Crag. I got anchored to the top and took a few action shots of people climbing their ways up. After I had a decent set, I headed down the rock to start my own climb. Unfortunately, or more like typically; I ended up taking the wrong path down and got stuck. So there I sat with one foot keeping me on the ledge. I tried to step out and head back up, but alas no luck. I tried a little foot hold that would have been fine for my climbers, but not so much with my hikers.

A while into my wait, Frosty (instructor) came to see what was up. There he found me, perched on my little ledge. He suggested I tried going back up, I failed, and started my way down. I had to use his knee as a foot hold (NOT A GOOD IDEA FOLKS), and ended up taking a tumble. Landed on my right side and felt a world of pain.

I hobble my way down, looking at the three walls set up, and shake my head no at all three. Away Frosty went with Tyler to set up an abseil point. Fossil comes over to get me to second Jessica (Fossil’s granddaughter) on a second grade climb. Unfortunately, it was difficult for me due to a very sore body.

We enjoyed a lunch, and I headed off with Dawn (the camp cook) since I didn’t feel I would be able to climb worth beans. I was taken to the summit, saw a wild kangaroo, and listened to a kookaburra laugh. I also helped her with dinner.

I spent most of the day shivering, despite the 30+ weather and wearing a sweater and jeans. Something didn’t quite make sense. I was super glad I got out of the heat, and regulated my body temperature and took some medicine for a cold (which I’ve acquired, and prefer over heat exhaustion).

Day 4

This was the last day for climbing. To make the most of it, I gave it my all. We went to a new area (I forget the name of it, arg) and did a few easy climbs. A few people were able to get experience with lead climbing, and I just kind of watched that bit. I hardly can climb above a grade 10, and have no interest in lead climbing yet. It was interesting watching how the different pieces would slide in and lock into place as a handle.

After lunch, we went into town to get some ice cream since the other two groups hadn’t shown up yet. With an extended lunch, we moved to our first site ever so Tyler and I could get the last bits of climbing in and so everyone else could get their kicks at bouldering.

I actually made it up Camelot (grade 14?)! I was so happy. It was different. Not too hard, not too easy. Just right. I then challenged myself on Maximus (or was it Minimus?), a grade 17. With a bit of help from Tyler (on belay) and Fossil (the instructor that pulled the rope so I would move the extra two inches needed while Tyler took it in), and made it up.

For a grade finale, we went to the pub for dinner. Afterwards, the group moved into the bar side, and I went off with Splat, Fossil, and Dawn. I didn’t overly want to spend my evening drinking, and would rather rest. Took a bit of a detour and did some “bush bashing”. Basically 4x4ing, but with more mud and rabbit hunts.

Day 5

Pack up, head out, return to camp. Reflex, write.