7 years ago Merran and I started our first Traverse of Tasmania at East Devonport in front of the house we lived in for 8 years. I was back there this morning for the start of my walk / pilgrimage through Tassie on the Tasmanian Trail. Merran dropped me off before heading to Park Run in Devonport hoping for a new PB (and she did it!). We had a quiet prayer of blessing for the trip and I shouldered my pack (just a day pack today) to head off. This is the first part of a there and back pilgrimage plan for Tasmania. I will be on my own for much of the Tasmanian Trail with Merran and a friend Libby joining me for the more challenging walk back largely through the wilderness.
They say be prepared for anything on a pilgrimage and this was certainly the case. My main shoulder strap tore out as I put on my daypack! So saying goodbye to Merran I unpacked on a picnic table and commenced repairs. A zip tie and some knots in the strap seemed to look secure and I was hitting the path toward the start of the Tassie Trail at the Ferry Terminal.
I only went about 100 meters before coming across the labyrinth (photo above) mown into the grass near the beach. Wow. I paused and thought “what a way to begin a pilgrimage”. Bring into consciousness the juxtaposition of physcial and spiritual journeys – settle and quiet the heart at the start of the journey especially after the challenge of unanciticapted repairs. Another 20 mins walking but not moving… but well worth the pause.
East Devonport beach to Latrobe was straightforward, an enjoyable footpath along the Mersey to Bells Parade. I thought of Merran as I got mixed up in the Latrobe Park Run which was on the same track. The runners thought I was a little overprepared for Park Run with walking poles, a back pack and a GPS unit. I declined the photo ops.
About 13kms in, and just beyond Latrobe, I decided to bypass the main Tasmanian Trail to Railton which winds on the East of the Mersey, crossing the river at Native Plains and then into Latrobe, and pick up a dual use mountain bike and walking trail called the Railton Express. It is just slightly more up and down with the switchbacks (one set of 22) built into the trail but much more enjoyable than walking on the road. A high suspension bridge takes bikers and walkers over the Mersey and then it is largely through forests and plantations until we get to Railton.
I enjoyed being back in the forests and walking the softer ground. The day was warm and dry and I was happy heading out on the first day.
Overall a good starting day – a bit foot sore after a 24+km start to the trip (my GPS registered 23.7 but as it was only picking up points at intervals it missed most of the dozens of switch backs on the bike track). Thankful for Merran picking me and feeding me a great homemade meal. I will enjoy these first few days when I am close enough to home to stay there courtesy of a driver and cook but I am very conscious this will not last as Sheffield disappears off the map.
