Our Great Adventure: Day 142 7/02/2015

After buying provisions from the local bakery we set off back up the road towards Mt Hotham and where the walk started. This area is very popular with cyclists and motorbikes and we passed a number on the way (the cyclists looking a bit pained as we got higher and higher - we were glad we were in the car!). We set off walking along the ridge in glorious sunshine. The route undulates passed a number of nobs and through burnt forest, with great views in all directions, to reach a junction where the direct route from Harrietville meets the path and close to a hut and facilities. The views resemble the alps if you don't look too closely at the trees. Even the flowers are familar. It's certainly a popular route with both day walkers and people camping out overnight. From the junction it's then c300m to the summit of Mt Featherton. It's a relatively featureless summit but the views were definitely worth the effort. We stopped for lunch but soon set off again, with no wind the flies were a bind and Diane managed to sit on an ant run! We headed back down from the summit stopping in a windier place to avoid the flies and making sure we didn't sit on any more ants. The route back is a reverse of the outward walk although the inclines felt much steeper no doubt due to the effects of the heat. Not too far from the road we passed a gentleman who asked if we had any spare water as he had miscalculated how much he needed and was dehydrated (despite having taken 2.5 litres with him). We shared what we had left, asked if he would like us to wait/walk with him and after his reassurance that he was OK set off again. Looking back we noticed that he'd stopped again further along the track and decided to go back to the car to get the juice that we'd left there and then go back to check he was OK. Simon set off (he's much quicker than Diane) with half a bottle of ice tea and met, who we later got to know as Igor, walking slowly back. He confessed that he was very tired and was very appreciative of the juice. After a brief stop, Simon took his pack, gave him an additional pole and walked back with Igor to where the cars were parked. Along the way we found out that Igor was originally from Chile, had lived in Melbourne for a number of years before retiring to live in Bright. We shared our plans to visit Chile as part of our round the world adventure. Back at the car Igor was keen to show his appreciation for Simon's help and very kindly invited us to his house for dinner that evening. Whilst very unexpected we were delighted to accept his offer and have the opportunity to continue our conversation and to meet his wife. Back in Bright where the temperature was 32 degrees we treated ourselves to very large ice creams before getting ready for our impromptu night out. Armed with a bottle of red wine from the appropriately called 'Feathertop' vineyard we drove a short distance to Igor's house which is just outside the town centre. We met Maria, Igor's wife, as we arrived and admired their lovely house with splendid views of the surrounding hills. Maria treated us to a lovely dinner of antipasti followed by spaghetti bolognese, a family recipe, all washed down with red wine. As well as being generous hosts Igor and Maria were great company and we shared stories of our respective travels. Maria's parents emigrated here from Italy. She met Igor when she was working in the immigration office over 30 years ago. Igor shared some great stories of his time in the States but we best not put it in writing as Mr Rockerfella might have something to say! As we sat eating and chatting we were entertained by the roo's in their garden including a joey in it's mothers pouch. The time went so quickly it was soon 10pm and time for us to head back to the inn. We're very lucky to have had the opportunity to spend our last night in Australia with a charming couple in their home, treated to a delicious meal and great conversation.