Tia
- Start date: 1 August 2020
- Age When Completed: 54
- Direction Walked: North to South
General Comments
I started out on this journey with John McQuade (a dear friend) leaving from Kalamunda on the 1st of August 2020
as a walking tribute to my late son Jarod (that ended his life 2 days before his 33rd birthday in 2019).
In honour of his life and all those touched by suicide but also in acknowledgement of the ancient people (Bibbulmun) that have made this journey possible as a way of each one of us connecting back to what is truly essential and beautiful in life but also the realisation that we all are capable of so much more than what we give ourselves credit for.
John was with me until Pemburton. He lost too much weight, (weight which he didn’t have in the first place) and that made it detrimental to his health and so he returned home.
I continued on the journey and John then later rejoined me to finish the last leg from Denmark to Albany.
I have to say it was truly beautiful to discover on finishing in Albany, that that bell had been donated by parents in memory of their son Dylan and so it was in fact honouring his life as well.
Food/Supplies Comments
We had some food drops but for a large part relied on towns to resupply.
If I did it all again I would dehydrate my own food to take.
Favourite Section
There were many parts of various sections that I loved but I would have to say the favourite overall section was Northcliffe to Walpole because it was very different and more remote.
Walking and wading through the water pools was very entertaining as it was like when we were children, splashing through puddles but on a bigger scale 
Highlights
They were many and varied highlights from the views on top of mountains, the view of farmland after being in the forest for some time to the energy of the large trees in Walpole or wading through the pools from Northcliffe to Walpole. The first sighting of the coast at Mandalay Beach on a beautiful day was spectacular.
Another large highlight was the beautiful souls you meet along the way that enhance the journey in many different ways through sharing company, stories, food and information.
Personal Reactions
The journey started out with the name Jarod’s Journey but by the end it in fact became Tia’s & John’s Journey.
Wildlife
There were varied animals and birds on the journey.
A total of 6 snakes (one only a foot away before I noticed it). It was funny because I said “oh, I’m sorry” as I paused. I then took a step back and it crossed over in front of me. A close call as I was distracted looking down to the inlet and eating chocolate bullets
Your Best Equipment
My best equipment would have to be my pack.
I bought it second hand but it was brand new and still had the tags on. It still looks brand new.
A Deuter Air Contact 50 + 10 litre.
Your Worst Equipment
I wouldn’t say worst equipment but I was disappointed in the longevity of a pair of boots. A lot of the rubber peeled off them, however I ordered another set of the same boots that I picked up from the Pemburton Visitor Centre (namely because I knew the comfort of them in that I could wear them new without any problem). Interestingly, the new boots don’t seem to have the same problem as I’ve walked just over 400km in them.
Advice for Others
If you have the urge or inkling to do an E2E then follow through on it. You won’t regret it. Life changing.
It will challenge you on so many levels but you will discover just how much you are capable of and more.
You will be re-birthed into a new world with new insights.