Day 17 Simpsons Gap to Telegraph Station-the last day

The tired and relieved leaders

Another early start, with a general air of anticipation, as today is finishing day. A rather subdued bunch on the bus, with little conversation and non of the usual banter or music.
Simpsons Gap was cool and quite delightful in the early morning light, though the walk in the sandy bed wasn’t that welcome.
Back to the start of the day’s walk and the Spinifex Tongs changed hands to Matthew Howie for impeccable manners, dress and being tidy all the time. He took the award with great gravity as future events will tell along with a small bag of cucumber, alluding to a previous night.
I was given the honour, by Simon, of leading the walk today, so off we went.
A fair pace up the first incline and the km markers quickly got lower and lower, with our first stop to change clothes, shed some anyway, came in under 30 minutes at the 2 km mark, on Hat Hill Saddle.
It was then a steady plod along the well made track, heading east most of the time, with a short pause at Fairy Springs for first morning tea.
Some headed off to look at the springs whilst others just sat around.
Then on to Wallaby Gap, a camp ground with seating, shelter and a dunny.
Then our first serious climb, to Euro Ridge, which afforded our first real views of Alice Springs and the Gap, BUT not the Telegraph Station.

The short ridge walk was cool in the light breeze, however the day was getting warm, and the ridge was too early for lunch, however just the right time for second morning tea.
Finding a reasonable place for lunch in the lightly wooded, undulating country, was difficult with no shade, however we finally settled.
Obviously,  I had upset Simon as he pelted me with small rocks throughout lunch, until threatened with a boulder of huge proportions.
Then began the end of walk plot with the km countdown proceeding, over the Ghan line, under the Stuart Highway at Geoff Moss Bridge, which provided welcome shade for a rest.
At this point, Matthew announced he had been very remiss in his duties as Spinifex Tongs trustee, explaining that Simon had been complaining or sore nipples throughout the day, and he had failed to respond appropriately as trustee..
Matthew then proceeded to apply the aforesaid cucumber and hypafix to Simon’s right breast, which he wore with great relief to the end.
We then hit the old telegraph line with  the characteristic three part poles, that lead us past the cemetery and finally to the end, with the traditional arch of walking poles, through which we all walked.
It was done-263 km and 12 days with blisters and sore feet to burn.
Hugs, kisses and photographs and some obligatory speeches.
Then back to base for showers and readiness for our final dinner and celebrations.
The celebration dinner in the common room of the bunk house culminated in strawberries and Golden North ice cream from the pancake van on site and then the awards ceremony in which Simon gave all the walkers and “roasting” award for misdemeanours on the track and a Larapinta Certificate.
Matthew, with impeccable taste, as ever, proposed that the Spinifex Tongs be given to someone who would most likely return to the Larapinta, and hence give them good use and it was so decided to award then to David and Sonya of Banksia Tours.
Slowly, people drifted off to bed, leaving a hard core of about eight to party on, until fatigue took its toll.
Simon's thought of the day-History is why
Pictures to follow when I have a reliable and swift connection.