MAN ON A MISSION

When Ian and Robyn started on their epic 5,330 kms packhorse journey there were many unknowns. There had been little time to prepare due to the approaching winter which brings ice 8 snow to the high country. But after a busy few weeks, here they were at the southern end of Australia's National Trail in the early Autumn of 1994. They departed in miserable wet conditions with 4 horses and a mule. Things didn't improve much in the early part. Conditions Stressed Robyn and she the trip after a few weeks. A major adjustment for Ian. Sad and disappointed, he faced a choice. He chose to ride on alone. Ian had been on a lone motorbike trip through northern Australia in 1992, ending near the Central Australian city of Alice Springs where he found work on an outback tourist resort with camels and horses in the following year. Robyn visited and something clicked between them. In early 1994 having left the resort they were and tempted by the idea of the relatively new Bicentennial National Trail (BNT) and were keen to take on that challenge. Soon after, away they went - mindful of earlier horse deaths, injuries, 8 tragedies on the trail There were many challenges: from the wet 8 freezing cold Autumn/Winter weather in the south, through the drought conditions further north, and into the steamy tropical wet season of the far north; dealing with new relationships - new travelling companions; the confusion and frustration of inaccurate directions; adjusting to long distance travel with equine companions and their needs; managing continual horse sores; some dangerous situations; alternating between bush and road travel; and a serious shortage of money. After a month of solo travel - a new travelling companion Ian, from Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (A.C.T.). From the outset there were difficulties in the relationship - incompatible agendas, personalities, and travelling habits. They endured through the highs and lows for a month and a half, with another rider joining in. The trio faced many physical challenges, which accentuated their differences, resulting in another separation at a high country camp in New South Wales. Again Ian continued alone, with many chance meetings - this time all the way into Cooktown some 5 1/2 months later, a total of 8 h months travel. Highlights described in the story were the many high country bush camps, the incredible friendliness 8 hospitality of new friends met along the way - with a couple of notable exceptions the iconic brumbies, and the numerous on-air discussions - from remote telephone boxes - with Ian McNamara (Macca) of the "Australia All Over" program on national A.B.C. radio. Audience responses to those interviews were a strong feature of the trip. Somehow, Ian also manages to oversee the publishing of Cliff Young's book entitled "Cliffy's Book" during the trip - the amazing story of Cliff Young who wins the Sydney-Melbourne ultra-marathon in record time at the age of 61.