With another shower and hair wash under our belts this morning, we set off back to my walking departure point. Our friends were there to see us off. Most of the snow from yesterday is melted much to my relief. My heart sank a bit though as we got closer and there was still snow – did that mean I’d actually be walking in snow today?? But no, there was still snow at what will be tonight’s campground, but none on my walk. Today is a short day, 10kms to camp with Jubbie at Bullock Trail campground. We checked out the camp on the way through and saw what will be the start of tomorrow’s walk. Spoiler alert, it starts with a creek crossing! It’s funny the things you get happy about. Like when you’re rapt the temperature for your walk is 6 degrees because that’s significantly warmer than yesterday! Definitely a beanie, puffer jacket and wind jacket walking day today.
Today was gentle ups and downs through open country. It started with a visible path that was easy to follow. For awhile it followed an old telegraph line. It was super windy. Definitely not taking any layers off today. The path was really easy to follow. After awhile l realised l could see my departure point. The road we’d driven along, where Juber had dropped me off. I was thinking how funny that was that they’d designed the walk that way when l met a water crossing. Really?? Already?? No, I’d accidentally followed a brumby trail! I had to climb back up the hill and find my last trail to head back off on the right direction. So the trail designers didn’t point the track back to the road or my departure point. Well done, well done.
There are huge numbers of rabbits around and they’ve done big damage, digging up everywhere. I’m constantly in awe of how beautiful this country is. So much diversity in tiny pockets once you start looking.
I stopped for lunch beside some low shrubs for a bit of shelter. It’s amazing how much such tiny plants cut out the wind! Lunch was refried beans mixed with hommus both dehydrated at home and rehydrated on the trail with my little stove. Followed by a cup of tea with some almond cream for “milk” and some dehydrated mango. Delicious!
A lot of the walk had no clearly defined trail. There were occasional markers and you just had to point in what was hopefully the right direction until you met the next one. I used my app a few times to make sure l was heading in the right direction. Shortly after lunch l met a guy who was walking from Kiandra (I’ll be there tomorrow night) to Tharwa. He warned me I’ve got a few crossings coming up starting with the Murrumbidgee. I’d really been hoping there was a log bridge across that one! I followed a well defined trail downhill wondering if l was on another brumby trail. It’s struck me on this walk that brumbies don’t walk nilly willy anywhere. They appear to like to walk on the trails we walk on. That’s evidenced by their hoof prints on almost every trail I’ve walked on as well as their poo everywhere. At the bottom of the hill was the river. And yes, it definitely involved taking my boots off and crossing. I spent a while climbing through the grass looking for the best spot. Then l changed into my river waders (previously known as tree climbers, the purpose they were originally bought for), rolled up my pants and psyched myself up for the cold water! The water was definitely cold. But one of the great things about walking through a cold river is that when you put your socks and boots back on at the other side, you feel decidedly toasty! I felt super proud of my first (albeit not remotely challenging) river crossing and how Australian that it was the Murrumbidgee!
A short walk up the hill I came across a sign pointing back in the direction I’d come alerting me that the AAWT doesn’t follow a defined track from here to Port Philip Trail (where I’d started). Nice if they’d had one of those at the other end!
A short walk down the hill and l was at the start of tomorrow’s walk and the meeting place for my Juber, right on time. Jubble had again excelled himself with a fantastic camp. We had our first camp fire of the trip and spent a lovely evening watching the birds playing and eating another delicious Chef Jublé innovation.
Kerry's Hikes 
Wow, it all looks so green – and even running water! We’ve just had a few days in Mudgee where it’s the opposite – bone dry, empty creek beds and smoke everywhere.
Keep up the good work.
Nick
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