Just started the first leg of my trip Perth to Brisbane. 

Tomorrow morning I meet the rest of the group at 7.30am at the airport then it’s on to Port Moresby to have a briefing and final pack for an early flight Saturday and start on the Kokoda Trail.  

   Had to leave Rebus behind. He is not happy that he is not going. He put in nearly as many kilometres as me. I will take him for a long walk when I get home. 

Sunday 30th August. 

Another early start for a 5 hour walk in the hills around Serpentine Falls, Kitty’s Gorges and Stacey’s loop. 

It had been raining overnight and in the early morning so the ground was slippery underfoot. Also the waters were cascading down the rocks.  

i want to thank everyone who has sent me best wishes and those who have donated to my Kokoda fundraising so far. 

Every contribution help this great cause. Check out the link below. 

http://mateskokoda2015.gofundraise.com.au/page/LesMcLaughlan

Tonight I will walk the equivalent of 140 floors. Saturday is a rest day and on Sunday it’s a 5 to 6 hour hill walk with my pack. 

  
It’s getting very close to jump off. 

back at Serpentine  National Park, Serpentine Falls. A bit off of Kitty’s Gorge track. 

It was steeper than it looks.    

This was slippery under foot. 

 
You have probably noticed that Rebus has not been seen recently, that’s because I can’t take him into a National Park. I know he wants to come and stands at the door as I am getting ready to go. I must admit I would like it if he was able to accompany me on the walks. 

After today I have only next week’s training before I head off. 

I have more to add but will have to do it later. 

Only just over 2 weeks to go, 18 days before we fly to Port Moresby. 

Work has been very busy so have missed a few days training, but I get out most nights. 

This training period has been  my first real bush walk. From Serpentine Falls to Jaradale and back was only 15k. 

 The walk was challenging at times and my feet are pretty sore.  However, it was a great day and well worth the trip. I will probably go back next week.  

The tack I took, a 4hour trip, is called Kitty’s Gorge. 

Here are some photos. 

    
   
I am trying to vary my training from hill walks at Waikiki, to Kings Park, Bold Park and now around Serpentine Falls. Hopefully I will get on the bibblumen Track next week-end. 

Just to show how close Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea is to Australia and how strategically important it would have been for the Japanese to have taken Port Moresby Airport.  

  
Below is a map showing the walks at Bold Park Perth. 

This was my first time there. I managed the main, Yellow Track – Zamia Trail, the light yellow Tuart Walk and the light green Camel Lake Heritage Trail. 

Then it was off to Kings Park.

Kings Park. 

The Kokoda Track walk at Kings Park. 

In total I managed 160 floors as measured by Fitbit. 

 
I will need to increase training getting in more stairs and more stairs. 

Feet a bit sore. 

  
There is a walk up from Mounts Bay road to the top of the park called after the Kokoda track. The above is a plaque of the actual Kokoda Track at Kings Park in WA. 

I thought I would tell a bit more about Kokoda, a bit at a time, and then what I hope to achieve by doing the track. 

During the Second World War Papua New Guinea was an Australian mandated territory. 

In late 1941 most of Australia’s armed forces were in Europe or North Africa when in December the Japanese airforce bombed Pearl Harbour. The U.S.  UK and Australia declared war on Japan. On the 15th of February 1942 the British army, including many Australian troops surrendered Singapore and on the 19th of February Darwin was bombed with 250 people killed. 

In the UK “Ultra” the code-breakers who broke the Enigma had also broken the Japanese codes and discovered the intent to invade Port Moresby.  And later in April code-breakers in Melbourne confirmed the Japanese were intending invading Port Moresby. 

With Australia’s troops overseas and with PM Curtin demanding they be sent back to Australia it was left to the Militia to defend the territory. 

I believe it was wrong to call these troops “Chocos” (chocolate soldiers) inferring that they would melt in the heat of battle. 

The role these reservists play in the battle for Australia should have a higher standing here than it does. 

More later. 

My reason for taking part in the track is simple. I want every project to be able to get access to the training and support services that MIC can provide. With support this will become the default program. It would be great If you can help me achieve this. 

As to my training. The last two weeks have be a bit disjointed. Due to work commitments I have missed some sessions. But it’s shoulder to the wheel now. 

  
Again an early start. Just left home when the rain started. 

This walk was harder. Upping the time from 3 to 4 hours seemed to flow quite easily but 4 to 5 started to take its toll. So we and by that I mean me and Rebus walked 34,003 steps, 191 floors (according to Fitbit) 24.01kms. And yes we were tiered. 

I am thinking about buying hicking poles now that we have upped the anti. 

I am thinking that future posts should have more about MIC and some more history of Kokoda. 

Some info on the work that MATES In Construction do:
Each year more than 2500 die from suicide in Australia – 1885 are male and 637 are female. Each year over 190 Construction workers die by suicide – this is five to six times more than workplace fatalities. Young workers, labourers and operators are of highest risk. Using WHO statistics it is estimated that while 190 Construction workers will die from suicide each year, 485 will be permanently disabled following a suicide attempt and 2366 will need to have time off work to recover from a suicide attempt.
While suicide is a leading cause of death for men under the age of 44 – suicide is preventable. This is why MATES In Construction performs such a vital and lifesaving role in the Construction industry. MIC provides a system of support for sites – raising awareness, making access to help easy and ensuring the help offered is appropriate for the person in need. Support is free of charge for individuals and companies in the industry so MIC relies solely on the donations and sponsorships from within and outside the industry.