Day Four – Poatina to Blue Lagoon

We said farewell to the Poatina community this morning. As we passed the town limits, we were surprised to see several locals waving us off in the pouring rain. Our students made an impression on many of the small children in the village and they were keen to show their appreciation as we left.

We soon made our way to Hollybank Wilderness Adventures, but not until we realised we’d left our lunch behind at Poatina. A kind volunteer from Poatina ran it out to us. We were quite grateful to see our ham and salad rolls after a few hours of rain-soaked terror at the hands of the Hollybank zipline crew.

Most of our group expressed some trepidation at being hurled along at 50-70 km/h above the forest canopy. One span crossed a gorge 50m above the ground. Another zipline was 400m in length, the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. We rested on cloud stations attached to trees 20 or 30m above the ground as we waited to change ziplines. Every Year 9 completed the course and we arrived back to base with our heads held high and our chests puffed out. Three or four of our more adventurous students expressed a desire to work on the zipline once they leave school. The rest of us are just glad to be back on the ground.

Hollybank photographed each student on the zipline. I have posted three as examples but will need to post the rest when I can find a faster internet connection. My apologies. Hobart’s internet speeds are very slow! I will get more up as soon as I can so you can see your half-drenched sugar glider soaring among the treetops.

We are now based at Blue Lagoon Christian Camp for the next three nights. The accommodation is very good and the staff prepared a roast chicken dinner for us this evening. The kids are enjoying their hot showers and preparing for bed as the blog goes to post. They all enjoyed hearing their blog messages read out at our devotion this evening, so please keep them coming.

In response to hers, Anna says, “Yes Mum, you must definitely feed and water the rabbits – everyday!”

Tomorrow we visit the Salamanca Markets in Hobart. Everyone has been reminded to look after their parents as they cruise the stalls. Father’s Day is coming and a few of our more organised students say that they will be shopping strategically for September. There should be some very pleased dads.

Until tomorrow …