Back at the
chalet we gathered in the lounge room and ate lollies and drank cups of hot
tea. None of us were in a hurry to shower or pack or go to bed. What began as a
social, light hearted rehashing of the previous few days turned into an evening
of amazing life stories, sharing and caring, laughing and crying, and learning. It’s so true that
each person is fighting their own battle and we never really know just what they have been through or survived. The euphoria produced by the
physical accomplishment of climbing the ten highest peaks in Australia was
immense but the last night in the chalet with that group of strong women will
stay with me for a very long time. I’m very glad to have met each one of them
and I feel that they were meant to come into my life and remind me of things
I’ve long forgotten.
The next morning
when I looked out the window I couldn't believe my eyes - grey cloudy skies, pouring rain and
driving wind!! How lucky we were to have had two perfect weather days.
We had breakfast, finished packing and jumped in the bus and left for Canberra where we went
back to the V--- Hotel and killed time before heading to the airport by eating
hot chips and drinking coffee. Our flight home was good; I savoured the time
I’d spent with Meg and was glad we’d shared such a wonderful experience.
What did I learn?
I learnt that counting will always get you there. I learnt the value of
layering your clothing. I only wore 4 layers on top and was very well insulated
against the wind and cold. I learnt that anything is possible with the right
amount of training. And I learnt to have more confidence in myself and what I’m
capable of.
Upon landing we drove back to
Toowoomba where Gibbo and Coco picked me up; off we went, back to reality, but
a little piece of me stayed in the snowy Snowy Mountains.
