Day 28 Gregory Brook Shelter to Donnelly River Village 22.5km Super cold, damp night. Super cold night time toilet visit - damp uneven, slippy, tortuous route ... damp toilet. Up at 06:45 - numb fingers packing up makes for a slower pack up. Hot porridge warms them up (briefly). I note that my gas bottle seems a bit depleted- still got 1/2 can left, maybe the cold? maybe using it without a wind guard? Head off at 08:15, it takes a full 2.6km to thaw out. The trail to Karri Gully (Brockman Highway) is very easy-nicely cleared yesterday by Di, there's a little tunnel of bush, flowering wattle and thick waterbrush and a bright blue sky. Start to hear the highway long before reaching it. The tall trees emerge as do a couple of small creeks ... read more

Day 26 Balingup to Blackwood 17.4km I am soooooo ready to get back on the track, out the door at 08:30 having had the best sleep in a month. It is a beautiful, balmy 4C and sunny. Let the chooks out of the shed as I make a beeline for the coffee shop- last proper coffee for a couple of days and I know they have banana bread. Hussain, the new co-owner of 3 weeks, waves me off with half a fruit bowl as well as my purchases, wishing me a good journey. Pretty generous folk in Balingup. I'm still blown away that someone did my washing! Anyway... the trail... after skirting the main highway I am on my way to the section that runs through the Golden Valley Tree Park. Jonquils line the road and ... read more

Day 23 Noggerup Shelter to Grimwade Shelter 23 km Chilly, chilly, chilly wake up call by the black cockatoo chorus. Coldest morning so far, I actually start out walking wearing a fleece, gloves and the legs of my zip offs (first time so far). Took a little bit of walking for the feet to defrost. Easy terrain except that the slip factor is high. Take my first break after a couple of hours, having descended through a little oasis of peppermints, ferns, fungi and other assorted bushes. The frogs provided a backdrop to morning coffee. Morning coffee also means morning snack- today's ration is vac packed fruit cake (heavy-ish I know, but oh so delicious. I actually find myself licking every last trace of sugary residue out of the bag- so delicious). Also totally enjoying my ... read more

Day 21 Collie to Yabberup Shelter 19.5 km What is it with sleeping in a bed these days? Another not awesome sleep- why? Too comfortable? Too many town noises? Too much to eat last night? Who knows, but this morning is misty and rainy and perfect for a late start. The Colliefields Hotel includes a help yourself breakfast (homebrand bread and spread, individual yoghurt serves and individual fruit cups) and has the added bonus of an onsite cafe which I hit up before starting my walking day (mug of double shot flat white, muffin, ham and cheese sandwich to take-away for lunch $16). Michelle, the owner, drops me back up at the trail head. It's 10:21 and so begins Day 21! I am so glad to be back out here!! The sun has come back out ... read more

Day 19 Yourdamung Shelter to Harris Dam Shelter (Very short 3 1/2 hour day) 14.6km I think I have developed tinnitus, or maybe I've always had it but have never spent so much time alone and quiet, but last night as I lay awake at various times I became aware of this low grade, constant industrial noise- worse in my R ear. The rain drops on the shelter roof were also particularly loud. Between those noises and anticipating the wild pigs coming into camp whilst sleeping on the bottom bunk of the shelter, it was an interrupted kind of a night. However, I then managed to sleep in until 07:30!!!! which was no big deal as the day was going to be short. In the back of my mind I was thinking about the double hut ... read more