Lees Paddocks with 4 Year Old

[Son of a Beach]

I spent Saturday night in our tent at Lees Paddocks with our 4 year old daughter. It was a very memorable walk, with many special moments between the two of us. We had planned and postponed this trip several times during the summer, as I was only going to do it with her if I was confident the weather would be good - I didn't want any avoidable problems during this first big tenting bushwalk for her.

As expected, the actual walking was psychologically difficult for both of us, but not in quite the way I expected. She didn't complain or ask "are we nearly there yet?" as often as I expected, but she walked a lot slower than I expected. She literally dawdled all the way, walking at nowhere near her own normal walking pace. I found this to be exceedingly frustrating. I was prepared to walk extra slow for her, but I had at least expected her to walk at her own normal pace.

However, it's not until I realised about half the way in, that all the fern fronds that I don't usually notice brushing against my legs, were right at her eye level, so she was constantly being brushed in the face by them, but never once complained about that. So I think it was probably a combination of that, and the rough ground, and all the interesting things to look at that caused her to walk extra slow. She was certainly quicker when holding my hand, and I think that was largely due to the confidence that she wouldn't fall, rather than any forward pulling I was doing.

Singing songs, and finding things to talk about certainly helped to distract her from the tedium of just walking for hours on end. We made up several songs along the way home, as well as using some old familiar ones.

Of course she also frequently stopped to look very closely at things that I've long since taken for granted, so it's good to be reminded of these marvels of nature again (even though it slows down the trip even more). Every toadstool was noticed, and moss got a lot of recognition, as did quite a number of sticks and pebbles. She found a great rock full of Fenestella fossils to take to show and tell at Kindergarten. She also noticed some things that I've never seen before in my life that I was very glad that she pointed out to me, including some tiny blue toadstools, and an insect with very large antennae that looked like fern fronds (and which she named a "fern hopper").

Although our aim was to get to Lees Paddocks, I was prepared that this would possibly not happen and we'd have to camp somewhere along the way, but we did eventually get all the way there, including detouring to both Lewis Falls and Oxley Falls along the way, which she loved. It took us about 5 1/2 hours to walk in, including detours and lunch/rest stops. On the way out we took about 4 3/4 hours. I was very proud of my little girl in the end.

All packed and ready to go.

IMG_0004.jpg (82.06 KiB) Viewed 16171 times

At Lewis Falls

DSCF3940.jpg (141.6 KiB) Viewed 16171 times

In "the paddocks" - Mt Massif (I think?) and Mt Pelion East in the background. Still a little snow on Mt Massif.

DSCF3943.jpg (129.05 KiB) Viewed 16171 times

Happy Camper

DSCF3945.jpg (134.2 KiB) Viewed 16171 times

She found the concept of dipping a cup in the river and drinking the water to be very exciting, and just had to keep dipping and drinking and dipping and drinking. Here she is returning with a cup full of water on the one occasion I let her go near the river by herself (while watching her like a hawk from close by).

IMG_0010.jpg (131.66 KiB) Viewed 16171 times

It was quite a warm afternoon, but when the sun started going down it cooled off a bit. But not problem, she LOVES clothes, and was happy to put nearly all of them on (which was probably not really necessary).

DSCF3949.jpg (145.04 KiB) Viewed 16171 times

Tiny blue toadstools she found in the rainforest on the way out.

DSCF3954.jpg (89.34 KiB) Viewed 16171 times

[Son of a Beach]

My daughter had been along this track once before, as far as Oxley Falls, when she was only 4 months old.

Here's three pairs of photos of her in near the same places for comparison...

Crossing the mersey river bridge

DSCF3933.jpg (199.42 KiB) Viewed 16162 times

This photo was the original title image for this web site.

DSCF2167.jpg (165.33 KiB) Viewed 16162 times

Having lunch at Oxley Falls (too much water to get right down to the river this time)

DSCF3941.jpg (196.15 KiB) Viewed 16162 times

Sleeping after lunch at Oxley Falls

DSCF2150.jpg (134.94 KiB) Viewed 16162 times

Returning from Oxley Falls

IMG_0006.jpg (124.96 KiB) Viewed 16160 times

Returning from Oxley Falls (same place opposite angle)

DSCF2163.jpg (132.87 KiB) Viewed 16160 times

[Lizzy]

AWESOME Nik! We have taken our 4 year old canoe & car camping but haven't been game for a hike as well- may have to start thinking about that..... you Tasmanians are sure spoilt for place to go
Cheers
Lizzy

[Phil]

Great stuff Nik!! As you know we took Zac (then 6) in there last November; such a beautiful spot. And the memories; stuff that lasts a life time!!

I suppose I'll have to match you now and take my Ellie (at Kinder but on the opposite day to Sophie I think) into the Paddocks too

[Graham51]

What a great experience. We started ours off on walks at about 3 years old to places like Shadow Lake, Wineglass Bay, the beaches north of Eddystone Point, the end of Ida Bay Railway and even South Cape Rivulet. They all still love the bush and bushwalking probably because we chose good weather and interesting places thagt weren't too gruelling. A bag of lollie incentives always helped too.

[flyfisher]

Fantastic Nik , well done on putting the time and effort into it. What a great reward too.

[Son of a Beach]

Oh I forgot to mention a couple of things...

One of the good motivation tools is to have interesting snack food to eat regularly along the way. This is good for energy of course, but also good psychologically if it's food they really like. We had cabana pieces, 'Le Snack', LCMs, mixed dried fruit, muesli bars, etc. I had a bag of lollies, but kept them in reserve only if things got really desperate (for energy or emotionally), but they were not required.

Here's one of the songs we made up and sang over and over again on the way home. She made up the first few lines and than told me I had to make up the rest:


Pink mountain berries
grow on a spiky tree.
We saw them on the side of a track
we were bushwalking, Sophie and me.

We were on our way back from Lees Paddocks
when we picked some off of a tree.
Sophie had a whole handful
in my pocket I only had three.

[corvus]

Good one Nik by the way what tune did Sophie pick for her song
corvus

[Son of a Beach]

She's not terribly good with tunes just yet, so I had to make one up for it. But I think you'll be able to guess the tune we used for this one:


Mud, mud,
yucky, yucky ducky mud!
Nothing quite like it for squelching the boots.
So follow me, follow,
along the bushwalking track
and there we will squelch and squash and squish
in yuuuuuuucky, yucky ducky mud!

[4Len1]

Brilliant piece Nik. Well done Miss Sophie.
Great treasured memories for life.
Superb.

I need to do that walk again. (Seeing the water and stuff.)

[Dave051w]

Brilliant piece Nik. Well done Miss Sophie.
Great treasured memories for life.
Superb.

I need to do that walk again. (Seeing the water and stuff.)

And you need to take me (Chief)

Great report - nice to see, my kids still hike with me (29 & 26) although these days its to get to those special fishing spots

[Binder]

Great to see Nick !
Fully agree that the slower pace opens your eyes to stuff we would normally tear past. We took our 4 and 6 year old around the Mt Field East circut on Sunday, and had to stop at every skink on the track. The hilite of the trip for our 6 year old was the Skink on the old summit cairn that kept nibbling her fingers. They did the entire circuit under their own steam, and if you stop and scale thing up it (like Lees) is a big effort.

Nick, have you ever had any negative comments by other adults on the track regarding exposing the kids to 'dangers' out there ? (We have).

[Graham51]

We never did when we walked with our kids. When we were walking with our 3 year old at Freycinet he had his own little backpack (homemade.) A tourist with whinging teenagers used him to point out that they had nothing to complain about. We even took him up Little Huegil when he was four (and my second son 5 months before he was borne) and the only injury was me when I stepped backwards off a large rock and skinned my shins.
I think it's a great e3xperience for them.

[Liamy77]

Looks like ya had a wonderful time & love the stone bedrock crib!
I love the slow pace at times.... suits having a camera!...and looking for tucker, tinder, tracks, etc. (not necisarily gathering it though)
sometimes/regularly we play a "what would you do if...." game mixed in with an "eye spy" game... good for teaching especially relating it to the surroundings...
and my kids love cooking at rest stops...

[Son of a Beach]

Great to see Nick !
Fully agree that the slower pace opens your eyes to stuff we would normally tear past. We took our 4 and 6 year old around the Mt Field East circut on Sunday, and had to stop at every skink on the track. The hilite of the trip for our 6 year old was the Skink on the old summit cairn that kept nibbling her fingers. They did the entire circuit under their own steam, and if you stop and scale thing up it (like Lees) is a big effort.

Nick, have you ever had any negative comments by other adults on the track regarding exposing the kids to 'dangers' out there ? (We have).

Thanks Binder. Yes, I was very pleased that she made it all the way under her own steam (with the exception of being lifted over a few of the larger logs). I was fully prepared to not make it all the way, and have to camp in the forest somewhere.

No, we've not experienced that sort of negative sentiment about taking kids out bush directly yet. But I know that others have. I can understand people being concerned, but people ought to check to see that you've really thought it through, and made sure you're fully prepared before being too critical.

In our case, we've been very cautious about what walks we take them on. We have taken them up to the Scout Hut at Cradle Mtn (both had to be carried in the rain the first time, and both in nappies, but one walked and one was carried the second time). We've also had them to Fergie's Paddock (VERY short walk indeed, but their first night in a tent). Then this time, it was a longer walk, AND sleeping in the tent (but still with a hut 15 minutes walk away), and I made sure I was fairly certain of good weather for this trip. So it's been a very gradual working up to "full-on" bushwalking, from the first day trip at 4 months, to the first "long" (sort of) overnighter in a tent.

As much as I like the idea of taking them on longer walks while they're very young, I think I'll avoid that. They'll still enjoy them a lot when they're older, and it will be much easier on everybody when they're older (they can carry some of my gear instead of the other way around!!! ). For now, I think I'll stick to either single nighters, or base camps (ie, two or three nights in the same place with day walks in between).

I also don't feel the need to rush into getting them doing as many walks as possible. My plan is to do a similar walk with my 2yo in about 2 years time (so will be the same age as the one I just walked with), and then the year after that, I might consider doing an overnight walk with the whole family then. Other than those two walks, it will probably be just the very occasional day walks for them over the next 3 years.

Walking with very young kids certainly has its extra challenges, and I don't feel the need to push it too far. I've carried my share of extra weight for them (one of those challenges) and don't enjoy the extra heavy loads!

We didn't see anybody else at all for the entire day on Saturday, which was just fabulous as far as I'm concerned, but on Sunday, walking out, we passed a lot of people going the other way. Including a young couple and their 20 month old daughter. The mum had a carrier for the young girl, and the dad had the most enourmous pack I've seen. I was glad that my pack was a fairly normal weight this time around. I've done crazy stuff like carrying two full size packs up to the Scout Hut, so that my wife could carry two kids (bad idea - never doing that again!!!), then the next time, did two trips, in both directions (much better idea, but still a lot of extra work). I'm glad the kids are getting beyond the stage of needing lots of extra gear, and not being able to carry any of it themselves! That's a very difficult time of life for a bushwalking family.

[Drifting]

My biggest problem hiking with my 7 year-old is weight- her gear weighs as much as mine (more actually)- my pack ends up weighing 20+ kg for an overnighter. I wish I'd gone ultralight with my gear, and gotten her normal weight-gear.

[Tasallan]

Lees Paddock is still used for it's original purpose - found some cattle there today for the first time - see photo - looked to be in magnificent condition so the native grasses must suit them.Does any one know if they take them up the bush walkers track?
The Paddock is still a wonderful, tranquil place surrounded by beautiful mountains. Thank you Lees family for allowing us to sit on your stool on the verandah to enjoy our lunch and take in the magnificent vistas.
Sadly when we arrived we found the door of the hut wide open but nothing seemed to have been disturbed by the animals - we certainly made sure the door was firmly locked when we left.
Trevor

Attachments

The cattle at Lees Hut - no doubt waiting for Mr Lee to retgurn, qhite tame.

[freemandale]

Haven't done any big walks with them but I have 3 grandies that constantly remind me to take life a bit slower! There is so much more to see and life is much more about the journey, not the destination!

Who knew how much enjoyment could be found in a feather or some colourful foliage found somewhere else other than the garden?

And who knew just how far "not far" is?

Lots of lessons to be learned from those with many more lessons yet to learn! But, yes! They come with lots of 'stuff'!

[Genesis]

Great Effort,

I got up there for the first time last month, I think it it a great walk for all levels, not to mention a great back door to the Overland.
I went after a bit of rain so the track was quite muddy next trip planned for summer and I will be taking my son as he is nagging me to
take him.

Genesis

[gorby]

by Tasallan » Wed 06 Apr, 2011 7:34 pm

Lees Paddock is still used for it's original purpose - found some cattle there today for the first time - see photo - looked to be in magnificent condition so the native grasses must suit them.Does any one know if they take them up the bush walkers track?

Actually, the bushwalkers use the original cattle track

[corvus]

gorby,
Do you happen to know how the "Paddocks " were accessed before Howells Plains were inundated by Lake Rowallen was it through there or over the Borradaile Plains or up what is now known as the West Rowallen Track?
corvus

[gorby]

hello Corvus,I am pretty sure that the route to the paddocks was thru howells plains and then up the west side of the mersey,I have heard stories of the house at howells and the shepherds that stayed there.

[corvus]

Thanks for that gorby it confirms what I have heard
corvus