The "Excuse Me" Trail

page 4

We can now begin to see out a little.

There's not as much snow around this year as at the same time last year, but you'd have to be mean to quibble about it. I'm well warmed up now and swinging along easily, even with a full pack.

The track is now levelling off and fairly open.

Sure enough, just around the corner is the turnoff to Key Summit, and the others are sitting quietly chomping on their lunch. Key Summit is an alpine "garden" offering one of the best opportunities available to view overseas tourists in their natural surroundings, as well as first class views for miles around.

I decide to give it a miss this time. The temptation to begin moving downhill is just too great, and Miranda will take some pictures for the website in any case. They'll be up here just as soon as she's finished processing them.

There are still dozens of little gems to be seen, and this side seems a touch more sheltered.

This small creeper with its spiky flower is everywhere.

We pass a whole bank full of filmy ferns.

Here's a close up.

The mosses too are visually amazing. Everything seems to be in that slightly heightened 3D mode normally associated with hallucinogens, but I have nothing except my lunchtime cuppa to blame. maybe I'm just pleased to be descending.....