2011-10-29 -37 148

Location

In a paddock off a minor road near Buchan, in southeastern Victoria, Australia.

Participants

Expedition

We were headed for a few days of mountain biking in Snowy River National Park, an area of natural beauty, wildlife, and terrain so steep you don't even need a chain on your bike - you'll either be pushing uphill, or holding on for grim death as you scream downhill. We drove up to Buchan on Friday night, enduring a steady rainstorm that followed us all the way from Warragul.

Emerging from our four star accommodation (an information shelter next to a public toilet), we quickly set off in the car. A virgin graticule always creates a certain amount of excitement. Last night's drenching made the roads a bit iffy, so we declined to take the car down the last section of dirt track.

We were at the edge of a farm, full of lush green fields, a few cows, and the odd rolling hill. The lush green fields were quite wet. "Here comes wet feet time", I accurately prognosticated. Not seeing anyone around, we hopped the fence, and began the few hundred wet, slushy metres to the point.

Suddenly a fence blocked our path. It looked vaguely...electrified. Felix, would you mind? Sure. He touched it with the back of his hand. Zap! Yes, electrified. Let's go around.

A few more metres and we were there. A graticule unlocked, and it wasn't even ten o'clock yet.