Nation Builders

Feeling as fully prepared as any 19th century Antarctic explorer, we set off towards the mountains with the dogs happily yipping along behind us. They bonded quite well, but weren't as loving towards us as the camels. Perhaps they didn't like the leftover hay we fed them, but there were plenty of gelato treats ahead.

We made good progress and before long we were in the foothills. Happy to be back on the road again, we lunched in a pretty valley and had a celebratory glass of urine (frizzante, of course).

Leo upsized his, as usual. Teenagers ...

There were abundant trees to harvest for dogsled materials, which we knew we'd need once we reached the ice fields. Being innovative adventurers, we designed and built a couple of dogsleds that doubled up as recliner lounges so we could relax and admire the view occasionally.

We built some swings for the children as well, which could convert into a cable car for the long, steep bits. Finally, we pioneered the design of a mountain shelter with the leftover timber, which we felt would come in handy.

The Italian hill tribes who frequent the area are a shy and wary people who live in the treetops. We caught the occasional glimpse of a face peering at us through the foliage, particularly when we accidentally cut down one of their homes.

Continuing upwards, we reached a saddle at 1300m and inhaled our first view of the mountains – a first for any westerner. Inspired, we decided to construct a mountain shelter at each stopping place that had a good view. Consequently we didn't travel very far some days, but we sure built a lot of mountain shelters.

Obtaining the timber for these had some unfortunate side-effects for the hill tribes, with the number of homeless beginning to swell rapidly. They followed us around, observing us, and eventually mimicked us by attempting to build their own mountain shelters.

Being related to the Romans, their early attempts were unfinished and collapsed shortly after. They also demonstrated the same inability to maintain their sporting facilities, evident in the condition of their table tennis stadium.

Also evident among the hill tribes was a poor awareness of OH&S, particularly when trying to move furniture. Their technique, while innovative, looked certain to result in a back injury.

We decorated many of the mountain shelters with frescoes of Mary.

Feeling pretty happy with our progress, and light-headed from reduced oxygen levels, we frolicked gaily in the meadows among our hundreds of mountain shelters. The hill tribes were most appreciative and gesticulated wildly.

It was also the last day of the financial year, which has always been a special day for us. Lexie started doing her tax return immediately, while the rest of us whittled trees into giant spoons, which we would need for the mountains of gelato ahead of us.