Crabby Cabby took us out to our digs for tonight so we could drop our big packs off at tonight's B & B and then dropped us where we had planned to finish today and simply walk back. Like Doug at Lion Head - makes sense and one less trip for someone.
What a beautiful day it was! Early starts mean we see the sunrise and today it was shrouded in mist over farmland. So pretty. We followed the road for a while and then turned across a paddock and some beautiful vollie had literally mowed the track. Just wow. No soaking wet clothes or shoes and it was gorgeous even through the rocks and moss areas. A whole lot of curvey trees that have an amazing will to survive no matter what.
And the geese. We hear then daily, especially in the morning honking away and we guess they are flying south for winter.
Landed back in a road again and found mud mud mud! 4WD vehicles had churned up the road and it took a while before we got clear of that and headed bush again. But the colour change is obvious and I've included a number of pics today. So pretty and really exciting. I've never seen this so......
Well I've finally gotten it into my thick head. It's rocks that are what I have on this trip. Follows the Niagara escarpment ALL the way. Just the amount and toughness that changes. Having said that today we trotted along Skinners Bluff and it was stunning. Sure there's rocks but so much softened underfoot. It was the most beautiful part of the walk. The only thing is that soft underfoot gives way sometimes and it steals my poles and sometimes tries to steal my foot! But it's like walking on a sponge with booby traps.
And did I mention the apples? Went through an old orchard and today real pickable apples. I had three for the day. A lot like Galas we have at home but these are heaven. No fertiliser and no looking after. Just what is. Really delicious.
So many beautiful and large homes we see from the top. Looking back across the water where we see the magnificent cliffs we walked across the top of in the last couple of days. When on the escarpment we are never more than 1/2 - 5 metres from the cliff edge. Crossing close and peering over, sitting on the edge because I can, looking through crevices and finding holes because it's what they call the alvars.
Yay we ran into Margaret and Ken again today. Yay! The hiking community is awesome and amazing. Seriously! You connect with people you would never meet and we all understand the other. Simply mind blowing.
And that damned poison ivy! I hate that shit! Hip twisting around it and praying not to touch it. So far no mad crazy rashes on either of us but those who've been affected say it's REALLy awful. It's unavoidable and first thing when we get in is get gaiters off and washed. It leaves oil on you so don't rub it and my paranoia has me freak when something brushes me and I immediately pour water on it. Laugh all you like I don't care!
Today's fauna included an unidentifiable snake, a chipmunk and a VERY large heron. The trail was beautiful and I've included a number of pics.
Cleaned up and had a yap to our host tonight, Kathy, we call trusty Crabby Cabby and get a pick up to the pub which is open tonight. Has a reputation for crap food but has new owners. Food is Divine! Kathy wants to know to spread the word.
Crabby will pick us up tomorrow very early and drop us with full packs to same place as today to walk on. We have about 20kms and will get picked up by Susan who is our host for the next few days.