The walkers reached Dwellingup on Sunday 31st August after leaving Collie on Monday 25th August. There are no more rest days until the walkers reach Kalamunda!
The story continues...
Our last seven-day section of the trek started at 8am from the new Collie Visitors Centre. The new group of sectional walkers was greeted with the continuing colour of wildflowers.
We even discovered a new species at one of our regular breaks - commonly known as the sock tree (sockus pungentus), the sock tree can only be found on the Bibbulmun Track where walkers are sent to remove their boots.
The Track once again afforded us with well constructed bridges and boardwalks. If one was to add up all the structures and facilities that make the Bibbulmun Track, I am sure one would be amazed at the effort gone into making the walker experience what it is - thanks DEC, the Foundation and all the volunteers!
After a lazy break at the Harris Dam picnic site, we were met by even more of those wonderful facilities provided for by DEC - wine, cheese and strawberries.
Thanks to Drew Griffiths and Bev Gardiner for their interesting talk and the essential supplies!
However I have to say some of the facilities need a little more work. It did however make it easy to read the latest edition of the Bibbulmun News!
One of the most interesting remnants of the early logging history are the remains of the old railway formations. In particular the railway formations not far from Harris Dam campsite are even more interesting as the rail lines were not made of iron but rather jarrah (yes, that's right, the line was made of wood). Unfortunately they have deteriorated and much of the best remains were ruined recently by reckless 4WD vehicles.
The sunshine continued as we reached Yourdamung campsite. Other than the Blackwood campsite, it is the only fire-free campsite in the northern section. Some walkers had difficulty with the concept of having no fires - interesting what we become used to especially since we never had fires for the first third of the walk from Albany (no fires are permitted at campsites between Albany and just south of Northcliffe).
Near Yourdamung campsite the Red Tailed Black Cockatoos roosted in flocks. The noise from these birds is sometimes deafening but it does not detract from their striking beauty. A mating pair of these birds sat quietly as we passed by (male on the right - they mate for life).
Some of the sectional walkers battled with the blisters and the guides were called in on occasion to wrap the insubordinate feet in Fixomul.
As we approached Possum Springs campsite, we were delighted to find an echidna silently making its way through the forest, looking for its feed of ants. I hope it knows how to keep warm - it was a very cool morning the next day as the mist poured into the valley in front of the campsite.
For many days and nights now, we have been reminded that we are approaching the halfway point of this section as the noise from the Worsley conveyor belt hummed in the distance much of the time. It is an amazing feat of engineering but one certainly does not want to stay nearby when it is in full swing. It did stop every now and then.
Not far from the conveyor belt we reached the historic Long Gully Bridge over the Murray River. This remarkable structure is the longest rail trestle bridge in the jarrah forest and is now open only to walkers and forms part of the Bibbulmun Track. Of course, the break there was sweetened not only by the fact that Bev brought us our food drop, but also because she brought morning tea (tea, coffee, milo, fruit and chocolate biscuits!). Thanks again Bev!!!!!
The hills toward Dookanelly campsite have not eroded much and posed a big challenge for some. We all made it to the campsite though. We had to say goodbye to Ros before we reached Murray campsite as her feet just couldn't get her to Dwellingup (thanks to Mick and Elisa from DEC). Nevertheless, Murray campsite was made a home site within minutes of arriving.
The Murray campsite is one of my favourites as it is only metres from the Murray River and, as most people that have walked with me know, I go swimming at the drop of a hat in any puddle that isn't a drinking water catchment!
After we had gone to bed, we were woken by