Day 25 – Georgetown to Curnows Hut – 26.3km

Total Distance – 456.3km

A Heysen Trail Story

“Well. It wouldn’t be a walk without a bit of hail I suppose…”

Me to my support crew

Pretty epic day. VERY. Epic. Day. Weather, scenery, angry birds. This day had it all.

It rained pretty much all night, so I luxuriated in being dry, warm and snuggly in my little tent. Good sleep. What’s more, the rain eased off whilst I was packing up my gear, which was highly appreciated.

Just as I hit the city limits of Georgetown, it started to come down again. Nothing for it but to don the rain gear and plod on. Hope that my hands didn’t freeze off. The mountains were shrouded in fog, and there weren’t even many birds venturing out this morning. Really, when I thought about it, staying in bed seemed a good idea.

But as I neared the end of the long morning’s road walk, the rain began to lift. Blue skies! Oh look! There’s even a magpie sitting on the fence stile I need to go over. Conditions are on the improve!

I crossed the stile and stood to have a good look around. With the scudding clouds and the blue light, the scenery looked incredible. Water and rocks and tussocks. All of a sudden, I heard a vicious swooping noise behind me. As if Daenerys dragons themselves were hovering at my shoulder. I turned with a start. The magpie! With an evil genius look in its eye.

And so began a battle of wits and courage. It swooped me again. I shrieked and stumbled off. Where is it? Where is it? Great. It’s just up there on the next signpost. Waiting. Sure enough, another swoop. And again. And now this was particularly cruel because I had started going up a massive hill, and every time I stopped to rest…. SWOOP! Bloody hell! Gimme a rest will ya!

Eventually it must have decided I wasn’t worth the effort. I defiantly took a photo of it’s home. From afar.

The walk from this point was very interesting. Great views out to Georgetown. Rugged, exposed rocks. Dams full to the brim. Hail at the high point.

Yes, that’s right! It had been showering on and off all day. The temperature plumeting whenever it did so. But this was different. No sooner had I got to one of the highest points on this section of the trail, than a grey haze oozed in. The wind picked up markedly. It started to pelt down, stinging the face. And then. Hail. Just little bits. But ice fell from the sky. It all felt a little surreal really. I was grateful I was only 5km or so from the hut.

Now I’m sitting at Curnows Hut and the sun is valiantly trying to shine. It’s very cold though. My fingers are numb and clumsy, making me write everything twice.

Greg and Cath are here, as well as their friend Mark who is walking with them for a few days. Almost 30km on Mark’s first day. That’s a hell of an effort. Especially in the tricky conditions. “How about that magpie!” I exclaimed. “What magpie?” was the basic reply.

I’m sleeping in the upstairs bunk. Without my tent. After being attacked by a wild beast and pelted with hail, it seems like a day to be brave. And so be brave I shall.

Please, please, pretty please stay away from me mice…..