Day 53 – Chookarloo Campground to Mt Compass Caravan Park – 31.33km

Total Distance – 975.1km

A Heysen Trail Story

Just because I’m getting to the end, doesn’t mean the tough days are over. And today was a toughie.

It rained all night, and I actually had an excellent sleep. Woke feeling refreshed and ready to go. The rain had stopped, and I was feeling great as I set off from the campground.

It may have stopped raining, but everything was soggy and wet. A biting wind chilled the air. I came across a swiftly running creek and decided to try and keep my feet dry just a little bit longer….it was just so cold!

So shoes off and across I went. Cold feet for a little while, but a lot better than sopping shoes and socks.

It didn’t take long for the rain squalls to set in. Sleety cold and fierce, bitter wind. Very unpleasant to walk in, and the bane of my day.

The trail travelled through pine forest and native stringybark tracks. I stopped at the top of Mt Magnificent for a snack, but it was too windy and cold to really enjoy it.

My approach towards the sea became more evident in the afternoon as sandy tracks through coastal heathland scrub made their first appearance.

The heaviest rain squall hit a couple of kilometers before the caravan park. I had been planning on camping, but at this point was thinking that I would do or say just about anything to get inside a cabin for the night.

I trudged into the reception area like a forlorn, wet dog. Drips of water flying off me as I moved. “Please, please, please tell me you have a cabin available” I whimpered. He looked at me for just a beat, and I was petrified he’d say no. “For you, yes we do”. I could have hugged them both!

Whilst I settled payment, Jeanette the co-owner, bustled off to the cabin to ensure it was ready for me and to turn the heat on. When I arrived there, she even asked if I needed a lift into town to get anything. I didn’t, but it was so lovely of her to ask.

Inside the cabin I shed my wet gear and jumped straight in the steaming hot shower, teeth chattering. My skin prickled as it tried to warm up. It was heaven to stand under the hot spray.

Now, a couple of hours later I’m feeling very satiated. I’m in my nice, warm, freshly laundered clothes. It’s toasty warm in here and the bed is really comfortable. I have a big bowl of oriental fried rice and I reflect that I was eminently fortunate that the rain came on a day where I could access this brilliant little cabin at the end. Very lucky really.

To top things off, I had the opportunity to have a wonderful, wonderful chat to the head of my support crew and my most fantastic, fabulous friend, Miriam, who was helping him celebrate moving into his new house. How I wished I was there to hug them both! Not long now until that will be a reality…Bring on the hugs!