"Beedelup" campsite photo taken by Jane Greenwood.
Frank Coning and a Harley biker having a beer outside the "Forrest Tavern" at "Mumballup".
I had only walked 5kms when I met Gazza or Gary an Irish carpenter who had taken 4 days off to experience the Bib. He was going the same direction so we teamed up for 2 days. We double-hutted passed "Hewett's Hill" campsite, heading for "Ball Creek".
Gary with the first of two pints of Guinness at the "Mundaring Hotel" - this could become a pub crawl!
Gary has a bowl of wedge chips which were tasty with sauce, with a Guinness to wash them down, at the "Kalamunda Hotel" beer garden. Very relaxing.
"Waalegh" campsite at 3.30pm when I first met Andrew, Kim and Heath. They arrived 30 minutes after me, as they had walked down the hill to sign the register at "Helena" campsite. Just shows you can walk passed someone and miss them in the middle of the day. Their goal was "Albany" too.
Andrew had some challenges with this new stove that was designed to work with multiple fuels. He solves it in the end!
One thing you have on your side is time, to learn how to best make things work for you. The rest of us just watched and learnt - giving advise of course.
It might look messy but everything had it's place around the camp fire. The rocks for sitting on, the charred bottom right blackboy (grass tree) for its resign in lighting the fire and the smaller kindling firewood on the left. The billy had already boiled on the hook and was now just keeping warm for the next mug of tea. I believed in saving my gas stove for emergenies while there was a fire available.
It sure felt good to not have to walk anymore for the day. At 4.12pm it was time to relax and swop stories of the day's events. 4th September 2007 at "Waalegh" campsite with a view across the valley below.
Unfortunately the last man in the picture dropped out through pain in his leg/hip area. More training may have helped? The man in the middle lasted a few more days but his feet were covered with blisters after double hutting, in nearly new boots! It was then too painful for him to continue. Andrew at the front lasted another four or more days, but the gear could not be successfully divided from three to one person to carry. He pulled out, but plans to have another go. He should do it by himself, as he has the fitness level and determination to succeed.
"Mt.Cooke" campsite. Seven mums and eight kids on a "Mother and Child" walk and overnight camp, during school holidays. A bit of a shock when you have been walking all day by yourself. Notice the flash illuminated reflective Waugal on the tree, pointing which way for me to leave the site going south in the morning.
Kids love a fire and marshmallows are about to be toasted.
The "deadly trio" where they always have to wait for the slowest hiker amongst them.
Frank Coning another walker that I shared many huts with. We walked into "Collie" together, but he was fitter than me - walked faster on the flat and never stopped when climbing hills, although at 73 he climbed them slightly slower than me. We walked singularly on my request afterwards. At least you can stop and start when you want to, especially when taking photos.
"Collins Road" rail bridge south of "Pemberton", with hiking Mum in the middle, daughter on the right and friend on the left.
My walking pole or stick on the right, as I stop to take a photo of these three hikers on the very long old rail "Warren Bridge".
Zooming in so you can see that backpacks, even for a weeks journey it doesn't get much smaller. Mother and daughter have nearly completed the whole "Bibbulmun Track" at different stages of time.
"West Howe" campsite where these seasoned trekkers put up a self-supporing tent inside the hut , to give them extra warmth. They had packed the wrong fuel for their stove, so I let them share my gas stove and they let me share their meal. A happy swop, as I did not have to do any cooking for once.
