It has been nine months since the fall - my fall, on a mountain, the one that ruined my leg. But, yesterday I did my first 'real bushwalk' in nine months. I walked around Dove Lake at Cradle, in the snow, and it was magnificent! Normally, this is only a very short easy walk for me, but I was unsure how my hamstring deficient leg would cope, especially with the steps and hill on the western side of the lake.
Our cabin, hidden in the bush was called "Pademelon" and there were paddies nibbling bark and lichen among the trees. We enjoyed a cosy evening, with a dancing fire while snow silently transformed the landscape outside.
We woke to snow outlined leaves and trees, and about four inches of snow on the car.
The Alfred Hitchock-ish, a la "The Birds", view at breakfast. The currawongs waited and watched our every move through the kitchen window.
This large fellow had a deformed beak - an extra, extra long top hook.
The Dove Lake circuit is one of the most popular walks at Cradle. It would be interesting to know how many thousands of people walk it each year, attired in every thing from solid walking boots and wet weather clothing (Sheryl and me), to pink slippers and a white overcoat. Yep, that is what we saw yesterday. No thongs though - at least there was no one stupid enough to think that thongs would be suitable walking attire in the snow, as they often do in summer at Cradle.
We waited over an hour for a shuttle bus as the road was closed to all but 4WD vehicles, but silly people in ordinary cars ignored the signs. Grrrrr. Amazingly there were no accidents. We had an interesting conversation with a ranger about the overwhelming visitor numbers, over stretched transport services, the congested road and how they are really hoping the new visitor centre which looks like it will finally start construction soon, might make life better for staff and visitors alike, as the current temporary buildings which were supposed to used for only two years, not ten; just cannot cope.
It was snowing when we arrived at Dove Lake. It snowed off and on, as we walked. The sun managed to briefly sneak through the clouds a few times.
Snow crystals on yellow gum.
A brief view of Little Horn.
Snow sprinkled myrtle.
The elegant curves of Pandani
Bird's eye view of the same pandani
Curving gum with snow
Sheryl walking near the end of the lake. We only saw Cradle like this for a few minutes.
The perfect picnic spot at the end of the lake. We did not make the snow people. If you look closely you will see the one on the left is a snow woman with a top hat! (Thanks to Sheryl for the photo)
Cascading icicles
I made it to the top of the hill with only a little stiffness in my leg! And a few twinges later during the night, but I am very, very happy, and relieved, with my hamstring performance. Next time, I will try a bigger hill and/or a longer walk.
It was snowing when we arrived back at the carpark and queued for another hour to get the bus back!
I hope the new developments solve this problem. Gustav Weindorfer may have called Cradle Mountain the place where "time does not matter", but when you have limited time to enjoy this special place, time does matter. Time spent standing in a queue, is time wasted.
