My Life Of Trails, Sheffield (2026)

23/12/2025

Tomorrow is our 4 year wedding anniversary, so being home with the only woman who holds my heart weighs heavily in my thoughts. I think this as Coda & I walk and enjoy the quiet of the morning sunrise before us.

We are now travelling into the Gog Range area, getting closer to home where Coda will have a couple of days rest before completing our last leg to Devonport. I have always enjoyed this section, the illusion of isolation, mixture of meandering bush & forestry trails and the peace & quiet adds to the temporary relaxed state that is always experienced when riding through here.

But as we head down the last steep hill to the river we can only see devastation of fallen and storm ravaged trees. We cannot get through here & no matter where I search there is no way through with Coda. I have enough reception to message a local farmer who lives a short distance & is willing to bring a chainsaw to the river bank. So tying Coda to a downed tree, I ask her to be patient & reluctantly leave her waiting. Carefully pushing through the damaged trees I make my way down & cross the Mersey River.

Carrying a chain saw while walking across river rock with a flowing river is never easy. The thought of Coda up on the hill by herself adds to the worry. I set to the task of cutting the shortest path from the river to where Coda is, finding her calmly waiting for me. I am relieved. The last 3 logs are 2m from where Coda is tethered, although she is a little uncomfortable with the noise of the chainsaw there is trust in her eyes, making my task quick & easy.

We meet a cyclist half way cross the river, who asks to take a photo which we oblige. Returning the chainsaw to the farmer, we express our gratitude & wish him a happy Christmas.

There is time now for a very short break for coffee, giving me time to enjoy the caffeine fix I need but also to wring the water from my clothing as riding & walking it wet gear can become very uncomfortable.

The day has become really hot and so my mind goes off to a place of self reflection to take my mind off it, but the sound of heavy equipment takes me from my thoughts. There are forestry operations occurring here, so we take some time to engage with the site foreman who advises us on what trail users need to do & that they will be working there till mid February. I must inform the Tasmanian Trail committee once I get home so I set a reminder so I do not forget.

The last few km’s to home are usually uneventful but there is a high level of traffic today. People are friendly and the smiles & waves of people as they drive past give that feeling of a warm acceptance of a man and his horse making their way home.

But it is the beautiful smile & wave from my wife that warms my heart. Being near her always completes me, yes I am a very lucky man & difficult not to smile about this fact.

Seeker, Coda’s paddock & trail companion also voices her excitement that we are home so we acknowledge her welcome and give her a quick rub on the side of her neck.

We are both weary from our antics on the trail so stripping Coda of her gear and feeding her a large hard feed brings us closer to the end of this trail adventure & one step closer to that home brewed coffee I have been yearning. But most importantly I am relieved we will be home for our 4 year wedding anniversary tomorrow.

Yes home. Home with my wife, that very special person I love with all my heart……

19/12/2025

The Poatina Road is a lonely stretch to ride, the white remenants of snow laying across the rugged landscape before us, the chilled air & silence that exists before the sun rises making the experience more surreal.

We always travel this road early to avoid the heavy vehicles that often frequent this 20 plus km stretch. The early start also allows us to navigate the rugged path of the Caves Track without experiencing the full effects of the December sun. I like this old trail. Coda & I have travelled it many times over the years but also endured many hours of work to keep it passable so that others can experience it too.

Once down the mountain, the trail to the Old Liffey School is an easy ride giving a man time to self reflect & remember the days gone. We have come a long way in our journey of life but I wonder whether I can inspire a younger generation to hold the passion & carry the flame of the Tasmanian Trail, just as Kevin inspired me. Time will tell, it always does.

A night under the stars just outside the Liffey Falls Campsite is the perfect end of a day for any horseman, Coda appreciating the local grasses, her grazing a sound that soothes my soul & has me sleeping quicker than you can say goodnight.

Our short stay is enough time to get a few hours sleep & prepare us for our walk up the long slow climb into Golden Valley. We are in for another warm day so the early start sees us well past Golden Valley by 8am and on our way to Redhills. Our good friend Chantelle knows a man too well & a hot coffee is waiting as we cross the Long Ridge bridge. The luxury of iced water to fill our water bags is something not often experienced on a long ride but definitely appreciated.

We stop briefly further up the road at the river, to which Coda takes a long drink, a moment to rub her nose on her leg and a long sigh before moving on for the next leg to Redhills.

By the time we reach Redhills Memorial Recreation Grounds, the heat is pretty intense. Coda has reached her limit today so we will travel no further. I remove her tack, rub her down and setup an area for her to rest. Think I will take just a moment to rest in the shade of this tree myself.

No doubt these last couple of days have been a test of our endurance & watching Coda I know I see a special horse. I am humbled & warmed by this thought. Tomorrow we will be heading toward home and will have a couple of days rest, something that Coda well & truly deserves. Damn I love that mare…..

15/12/2025

The last few days have seen us travel some great distances. Avoiding & managing the extreme heat & the approaching cold the main reason. Our late evening ride to Victoria Valley is an attempt to avoid tomorrow’s heat & enough time for 2 hours of kip, before moving on to Bronte Park.
The warm morning breeze the following day tells us the day will be hot, but it’s the immense heat we feel radiating from the tarmac on our last few km’s into Bronte that reminds me why the early start was a great idea. And besides, 7 hours of rest is a good trade off to prepare for the next leg.

The following day to Miena is a somewhat different story. Hail & snow flurries become our travelling companion, so a brief stop to rest & to assess our options at the Miena Village is in order.

As I watch the weather with a coffee in my hand, I decide since there is a brief respite in the falling flurries, saddling up and riding on to Arthur’s Lake is our best option. Taking advantage of Arthur’s Lakes more sheltered areas would serve us both well particularly since the worst of the weather was on its way & would be on us real soon.

Within minutes of leaving the village, the wind and snow are on us, Coda prancing about, pointing her rear end to the wind in an attempt to avoid the weather in her face.

With the wind & snow constantly changing direction, it makes for difficult riding. There is a blanket of white snow on Coda’s mane & on our gear, a reminder of the harsh environment that we are in. Being here reminds me of the advice Kev would often give.

He once told me that the weather in the highlands could change in a moment, would at times be unforgiving. ‘Always be prepared’, he would say. ‘ I am here if you need me but prepare well so you won’t’. He then told me the story of the 2 girls who arrived to do the Tasmanian Trail carrying nothing but summer wear & nothing for their time in the highlands.
His advice, ‘ hire a car & drive girls!’.

Kev’s stories were always told with passion, & with a laugh but these stories were often a lesson in life.

It always warms me to think of these moments, and of the man who welcomed me on the trail those many years ago.

He was a good horseman, a great man, and a legend. Just ask anyone who knew him. Yep, he was all that and then some, but most important to me, Kev he was my friend……

12/12/2025

There will always be my favourite sections of trail. New Norfolk to Bushy Park is not one, but Coda insists a stop over at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard at Uncle Dereck's on the way into Bushy Park will make up for it! The river view & peace and quiet here certainly make that decision worthwhile.

Early work activity the following morning in Bushy Park require us to deviate slightly, but the beauty of horses is their ability to move almost anywhere off road, which Coda demonstrates with practiced ease.

Moving through Fenton Forest & Meadowbank to get to Ellendale is our plan but well laid plans can often change as a banging headaches has us cut back toward Westerway. Coffee being the only known cure for this condition.

The Ellendale Road is busy with travellers today, so I rely on Coda's keen senses to warn me of any approaching danger from behind, her reliability never ceases to amaze me.
Elaine & Phil have offered a paddock for Coda here in Ellendale where a rest day will prime her ready for some hard days to come. For me, a ‘Phils Special’ & a coffee are the kickstart needed to get me through as I feel an unexpected level of fatigue starting to creep in.

A 30 degree prediction for Ouse the following day convinces us to leave early, so a 4am start to beat the heat is decided.
Although there is a slight chill & a layer of fog in the valley, the intensity of the sun is changing that quickly, the sweat starting to form on us both a proving point.

We make good time, and are in Ouse by 10am. Shedding her tack, leading her to water and releasing her into a paddock takes but a moment. Now with some time on my hands I will seek out a coffee and take a moment to relax & maybe share some moments in time.....

09/12/2025

It’s been a few days since we left Dover, finding a place to write down my thoughts has been a struggle as the opportunity did not present. Condensing 3 days into a few sentences without losing depth & context is difficult.

So lets start with the moon. There are times where it is so bright that you would swear it is day time. The last few days has been just like that, allowing us to move easily without torch light, full visibility of the usually nocturnal world around us.

Just outside Geeveston the remains of a camp fire, a reminder that dangers lurk when a man is careless. I put out the campfire with my boot making sure that nothing can reignite while at the same time shaking my head in disgust.

What would Kev say? Well with his trade mark laugh he would probably say, ‘Well son, you can’t always change stupid’. Moving Coda on I chuckle to myself, nodding my head in agreement.

Stopping by our good mate Benny’s before climbing the old track from Judbury to Lachlan is always a pleasure. A place to bed down, a paddock for Coda and a birthday cake, what else could a man and his horse want for. Suppose to be roughing it so I’m thinking my wife may think I’m going a bit soft….

The Jeffrey Track is always a challenge, is rugged, and well part of the attraction, would you have it any other way? Probably not, but I have to admit that when we finally got over this section of trail, the offer of a paddock & a place to put my bedroll for the night is welcomed and an opportunity for Coda & I to refresh for the next leg to Bushy Park.

While laying against my saddle and watching the ever changing clouds move above me, sleep is not far behind. I would say this opportunity is pretty damn refreshing…..

06/12/2025

The best way to begin the day is early, before the dawn illuminates the landscape and wakes the rest of the world. Today we ride the trail from Dover to Geeveston, and over the coming days along the varied stages and terrain that make the Tasmanian Trail.

Coda and I have travelled this trail many times now, it has become a deeply connected part of our history together. But that history is connected to the man who inspired me in the first place.

Kevin Norris my friend, this ride is our tribute to you.….

05/12/2025

It’s my birthday today, another year older and for me a time of reflection.
Through my years & my journeys it has been the people who have passed through my life that have had the greatest impact.

It has made me realise that time is short. Dont leave it to tomorrow, if you have something to say or do then get it done or you may never get the chance.

Tonight I sit in front of a fire with my wife & my horse Coda, this time is ours and a time for no regrets.

Thankyou Ashdowns of Dover for making us feel at home. The perfect place to begin our next Tasmanian Trail adventure.

My Life Of Trails

23/12/2025

19/12/2025

15/12/2025

12/12/2025

09/12/2025

06/12/2025

05/12/2025

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