The Last Leg of the Track

Today I had a whole list of things to do; they are still on my list.  I have done next to nothing.  After returning from yet another get-away on Tuesday I had vowed to have a, 'day off' and until today without success.  There has been Mel's GP appointment and shopping on Wednesday. Our 38th wedding anniversary to celebrate yesterday.  Today Merv has gone to his day centre.  They are off to lunch in the hills and I am finally having my day-off.  I sat and watched a favourite movie.  I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed.  I went down and bought potting mix from a local store and did the washing.  I had a glass of Margaret River wine with my lunch and enjoyed the warm breeze outside while I indulged.  I didn't do any exercise, housework, extra shopping or emailing.  I am having a break!
I can't remember the last day I had a lazy day.  I have been constantly on the run.

Cape to Cape post & wildflowers

Merv went into respite Monday 20th October and I was away on the Thursday for the last leg of the Cape to Cape track.  I completed stage 1 of the trek in April 2013 and the second leg of the trek in April 2014.  It is 135kms long. Stage 3 overs approx. 60kms.  My training: On Tuesday I walked up and down 300 steps and on Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning I walked 6kms on our fabulous Perth sandy soft beaches.  The group hike begins 24 October until Sunday 26 October.  The private bus picked us up from Perth Thursday afternoon and drove us to the quaint country town of Margaret River.  Our group of eleven met together for dinner before heading out early the next morning for Gracetown, from where we walked to the mouth of Margaret River.  It was an easy day.  The weather was warm and we were presented with an ongoing abundant display of wildflowers.  The colours and variety were amazing.  We spied a bob tail lizard lazing in the sun just off the path and a 1.5m brown snake (poisonous) slithering across open grass near the Ellensbrook historic house. The day was pleasant but we were hoping our driver would confirm we could cross over the mouth of the Margaret River.  If not, it was a long walk back and an added 3kms on top.  I spoke to the driver by mobile phone while we sat and ate our lunch, he did not sound concerned and was adamant we would be able to cross without concern.

First day easy walking

Our view from the cliff tops

Before 4pm we reached the mouth of  Margaret River only to find the river flowing strongly and nowhere was it safe to cross.  We said little but we all knew we would not be crossing on foot.  One of the walkers spoke to a man in a canoe who was paddling to our side of the river.  He was happy to ferry us all across, which is exactly what he did!  He refused payment stating he had 'borrowed' the canoe to ferry his wife across as the river. The current had suddenly became stronger and like us had been stranded. We were all very grateful to be across safely and dry! My feet were sore after today but finishing the walk was my only priority.  I bandaged my sore toes ready for day 2. 


Being ferried across in the canoe 



The following day threatened rain and as usual I had a disposable rain coat tucked in my backpack.  As we were headed out of the magnificent Karri forest laden with wildflowers of every colour and type (even the donkey orchid was photographed) the heavens opened up the rain poured down!  Out came the raincoats and one man plucked an umbrella from his backpack!  We laughed and nicknamed him, 'Mr Poppins!'  I have never seen a hiker with a brolley before!  The Karri forest led us onto the beach and a 6.5kms walk to Hamelin Bay where we stopped for lunch before another short walk along the beach and back into the sand dunes before reaching our pick-up destination.

2nd day Karri forest walking

Day 2 - beginning our 6.5km beach trek

Our last full day began where we had finished and soon we were on the beach ready to tackle the huge rocks and goat track which ran above the jagged rocks below.  We could see the Leeuwin lighthouse in the distance and the book pointed out our goal today is getting to the lighthouse!  At this time it appeared as a matchstick in size. Most of the goats track was easy to access while other places we had to grab a tree branch and pull ourselves over or under to stay firmly on the track.  the book pointed out it is important to be fit to complete this section of the track.  I was hoping! The goats track was finally completed but we were not out of the 'woods' yet!  A large area of high rocks stood between us and the beach ahead.  We scrambled over them without incident (but not without fear on my part!)  This led us off the 7kms stretch of beach and into the sand dunes and a grassed area to sit and eat our lunchbox style lunches. 

Kangaroo Paw (WA flower emblem) growing wild in the bush

Just a couple of the amazing wildflowers seen

So many rocks and cliffs!

Keeping the lighthouse in view all day

As we trudged through the vegetation which dwarfed us in size and kept the view of the lighthouse from us we continued to enjoy the amazing wildflowers.  Today we saw our first banksias and a tiny birds flitting around the high bushes.  Finally we were on a dirt road and the lighthouse loomed ahead of us.  We signed the Cape to Cape book and headed for the end of the track while continuing to scramble over rocks and beach sand.  The track finishes before the lighthouse, which I wasn't aware of at the time. Finally we were there and we celebrated with a glass of champagne, a certificate of completion and dinner tonight in Margaret River.  I am still overawed at my achievement.  I am so glad I did the final leg of the track. 

More photos and story can be seen on our fundraising Facebook page:
 https://www.facebook.com/walkforhuntingtons

Also on the Travel With Me Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Travel-with-Me/325519741110

Celebrating the finish of the Cape to Cape track (at last!)