Day 46 – Rossiters Hut to Centennial Drive Camp – 23km

Total Distance – 815.1km

A Heysen Trail Story

It was a wet old night last night. Sporadic rain all the way through. There’s nothing quite like putting wet shoes and socks on in the morning after a chilly night!

I was really slow off the mark this morning. Cath and Greg had left before I even got up and out of my tent. But it was nice to just beetle around and pretend I was drying a few things out at least.

By the time I got started the modest sunshine had turned to rain. Another cold hands kind of a day.

Scenery wise, there was little to get really excited about this morning. The track mainly following roads through a forestry area and surrounds. I did meet Josh – a young fellow I had heard about who was attempting to run the Heysen trail in 21 days a a way of raising awareness and funds for Black Dog. He’d already run 15km by the time I met up with him, and had about 40 more to do before day’s end. What a legend. Him, and his support crew of one.

The walk really got interesting around Mt Crawford. “Are those….stairs?” I said to myself, incredulous. They were indeed, and up I went. At the top I met Sam. Urchin like in bare feet, a big football guernsey and ripped pants. Beaming smile and interested attitude. We talked for a long time. Me about the trail, Norfolk Island, and my reasons for wanting to do this walk. Her about her love of the Fleurieu Pennisular, the small house she was building on a block with 8 others, and the reason she was up on the hill. A fight with her partner. We both agreed wholeheartedly that nature has a way of calming down every situation and bringing it back to good. It was a pleasure to meet and talk with her.

The track from the summit wound down the mountain through swales of large banksias. The first I’ve seen on this walk. From the base, just a short stroll into the campground. It’s a huge area, and there are three groups here – all Heysen walkers. Cath and Greg. And I’ve just met Gail who is doing the Adelaide Hills section following some unexpected injuries which have impeded her end to end attempt.

It’s lovely to have an old wooden table to sit at, and the rain has held off for the afternoon. The magpies are singing. We are all preparing for a very cold night tonight.