Blogs from Pemberton, Western Australia, Australia, Oceania

After enjoying a day-and-a-half of rest and relaxation at the wildlife utopia of Donnelly River Village, I endeavoured to leave on Monday morning (20th September) only to find myself lingering as I passed mobs of kangaroos lazing about in the sunshine on the front lawns of the local houses; and then when I finally did manage to turn out of the main street I encountered the same male emu I had seen on each of the previous two days, still faithfully shepherding his four youngsters from one grazing spot to the next. It wasn't hard to see the attraction of this remote hideaway in the midst of the karri forest, for both animals and humans alike - even if I couldn't approve of the visiting families feeding the tame wildlife (which consists mostly of kangaroos, wallabies, ... read more

Day 35 Warren Shelter to Schafer Shelter 22.1 km Two chickens walking on the footpath One goes to cross the road The other one says "Don't do it, you will never hear the end of it!" Dot points of my day Slept in! 07:10! Left at 08:40 Moved the 20m branch off the path on the way to the loo- glad it didn't come down on the shelter Walked for 2 hours before a break- legendary apple, nut muesli bar and a coffee Hiking today had the Warren River for company- popping in and out of view as well as a few of the little wooden bridges Speccy bridge of the day- River Road Bridge, the old 150 m long timber carting bridge- a mix of old and new sleepers (this link provides more historical info ... read more

Day 33 Beedelup Shelter to Pemberton 25km For the first time in a week spent with the sisters I leave after them at 07:50. It's not that I slept in (despite a loud multi person snoring night) or that I am suddenly disorganised today, it's more a case of that bittersweet feeling that town days are now giving me. Pemberton is only a 25km walk away and Geoff is meeting me, but with that brings all the news of home and that I have to think about that stuff again, I am very much enjoying my escape from the reality of the day to day of my normal life. So, I dawdle. Enough of that... Leaving camp there is a seriously big hill- where did it mention that one in the guidebook?!!! Not much further on, ... read more

Day 30 Tom Road Shelter to Boarding House Shelter 24.2km in 5 hrs, 50 mins of walking plus 70 mins of breaks Slept well but a noisy hut to start the day, consequently on the trail by 0700 (which is pretty early in winter when it's still dark until later). My mood lifts as the sunshine breaks through the tall trees, much milder temp this morning. Lots of green tunnels to walk through and the Donnelly River ever present even when obliterated by thick bush at times. Lots of bridges, lots of karri bark strips. Pass through One Tree Bridge campsite which is deserted. take advantage of the public loos and rubbish bin as well as a picnic table for an extended morning cuppa. It's a great stretch through to the swing bridge and then the ... read more