Allan McKechnie, Bruce Seligmann and Peter West, WA
15 January 2020
In the Beginning…
It was a bold suggestion
that BP made one day
for he and me and Pete
to walk “the Track”, one way
“The Track” of which he spoke
the Bibbulmun by name
only 1000 ks or so
“sure, we were game”
We’d start down near Collie
where Pete he had a place
as good as any so we thought
it wasn’t to be a race
But the day we chose to set out
wasn’t too blooming flash
the rain it was pelting down
the thunder it did crash.
Not an auspicious start indeed
to our great outdoor adventure
but we were hardy for our part
so a little rain we could endure
Lo and behold the rain has gone
we were eager to be on the Track
so into the bush we ventured
a weak sun on our back
We arrive at Yabberup Campsite
before one could enquire,
and there were Mike and Buddha
huddled around a roaring fire
They had started in the rain
and were well and truly wet
looking about as miserable
as one could really get
Right from the outset
we did enjoy our food
and BP set the standard
as we knew he would
Curry soup and pasta
with Kit Kats to go
while Pete’s smooth Shiraz
rounded off the show
But to round it off, I must confess
and to add a bit of class
it would have been much better
to be drinking out of glass
Our first night out revealed some flaws
in BP’s sleeping stuff
but that will surely be rectified
for sleeping in the rough
After a hearty breakfast
of porridge for the road
we set out once again
shouldering our heavy load
The track down to “Mumby”
by way of Glen Melvyn dam
was through the jarrah forest
and the weather now was calm
We came across a barbed wire fence
no doubt to impede our progress
but the Mumby pub it was in sight
so a beer would relieve any stress
Our first foray it was over
with a modicum of success
whether we would continue
was anybody’s guess
Sand Patch Sojourn…
It had been a long time coming
Over fourteen years in fact
For the three likely lads
To reach the terminus of the track
Certainly no lack of commitment
Of that there was no doubt
That’s what the ks of travel
Was surely all about
So here may there be a record
I think certainly there may
To average it all out, we only walked
one fifth of a k per day!
But it does not dent commitment
No it does not indeed
The Gourmates kept right at it
Certain they would succeed
The views were stunning as we went
To sea or on the land
It made the walk much easier
For our little band
Met a couple going North
Doing end to end
All agreed just not for us
Our backs were starting to bend
Frenchman’s Bay Road soon in sight
After some misdirection
A call to base from the distillery
The end had some attraction
From here the walk was flat and smooth
Until we hit the hill
What an impediment to hit us with
When we felt we’d had our fill
At the top Bruce stopped to chat
To a chap who got it wrong
Thought we’d been walking straight for fourteen years
And still going strong
Here is the end, it is in sight
The banner held gloriously high
The Gourmates we had done it
Of 1000ks just shy
So ends a great adventure
The rounding of we three
Such that we’re not likely
Ever again to see.
.jpg)