Gnarabup to Boranup

Another day on the Track. From Gnarabup to Boranup Forest. A lot of walking.

We have to pick up lunch from a nearby cafe. Deb's sister drives there. The trip organiser forgot to place the order. I'm sure there were stern looks... A phone call or two and lunch is made.

Lunch turns out to be ham & salad in a wrap. Best meal so far ! The wrap (flatbread?) also travels well, it's as good as new at lunchtime.

We start the walk following a mud map along streets. Deb navigates brilliantly.

Just before we reach the track itself, the other group of walkers joins us. The other group, is a group of four being organised by the same company. They have already been lost, in the streets... without Deb to navigate for them :-)

We let the other group get ahead of us. Then catch up with them. Then show them the correct path. They are from Sydney, can't tell a WA walk track from a 4wd track.

We see a lot of the other group, we walk about 5 to 10 minutes after them. They are leaving rest spots as we arrive. A good spacing.

This was yesterday: We walk past a "waterfall", so sign of falling water just a big pool and a shallow cave. Soon after, we pass several groups of tourists who walked a km or more past the pool -- still looking for a waterfall.

Today: We walk a couple of hours through low forest. Very pleasant. Down to a creek crossing with a small picnic area and a swimmable pool. (We don't swim.) And a geocache which we find. All very pleasant.

We are passed by several trail runners. They run up -- and down -- the 200 odd steps that we had just walked down. Makes me wish I were here for trail running ! A very nice trail for running :-)

Then we reach the beach. A hard slog across sand. Enough said.

A climb up to the top of cliffs, I try not to look down. But it's not too bad, not too many close vertical drops. The rain finally settles in. Just a light -- annoying -- drizzle. Backed up by a cold wind. I've had enough, and too much.

Back into the forest. We pass Conto campground. More very nice forest, I enjoy walking in forest. But I'm slowing down.

Deb falls back to walk with me. Her sister walks ahead to give us space. We are walking on a clear track... uphill :-( but through an area of tall, pale, beautiful karri trees. Just like the professional photo we have on our wall at home !

I'm cheered up. Would still rather not walk, tomorrow. But Deb will walk. And her sister will walk. So I will walk. Oh well, at least I'm walking in excellent company :-)

We finish the 21+ km just within the expected time. The finish is on a track in the middle of Boranup Forest. The minivan is there to take us home.

We stop (still in the forest) to offer help to two blokes with a flat tyre. But their problems need RAC help. We drive on. Home.

Dinner (provided) is small meatballs with large noodles. No coriander, no cumin ! With choc brownie for dessert. Delicious.

Need to rest, need to sleep...

====    Dr Nick Lethbridge  /  Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
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"You can fool all of the people some of the time. Some of the people all the time. And make a fool of yourself... anytime." … Ginger Meggs
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dying for you to read my blog: notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au :-)
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