Total Distance – 1073.7km
A Heysen Trail Story
Another wonderful day of walking. It really packed a punch! Gorgeous, fine weather again with a slight, cool breeze. Perfect for walking. It’s really turning it on for the final few days!
The first part of the day was through sheep paddocks with distant ocean views. The water is a deep, dark blue hinting at substantial depth beneath the surface.
A steep, skinny descent ends at the beach where I found a fellow munching on Twisties. He tells me this is his first time doing something like this – but doesn’t indicate how far he is planning to go. He looks amazed when he realises I am almost at the end. It seems such a normal thing for me to be doing now, that it is easy to forget that it is actually rather extraordinary.
Th beach is picture perfect. Rolling waves azure in colour. Rocky formations in white and rust. The tide is just right, and the sand is hard and firm to walk on. The sun glistens off the water. It simply couldn’t look any nicer.
It’s too much for me. I decide I have to get in. There is no way that I can’t swim, having seen how perfect it is. And there is no one around. I strip off to my undies and clamber into the water, squealling with delight. It is icy cold and it takes my breath away. But as the salt seeps into my pores I realise this is the longest I have gone without a swim for 6 years. Again, I get a wonderful feeling of going home.
I get out and dry off on the beach. I feel refreshed, happy and ready for the rest of the day. The sand eventually hits the rocks and the track climbs up and over a long headland. There are some decent up and downs through this section, so I take my time and rest in the shade where I can. I am watching a couple of surfers having the time of their lives (I can hear them cheering from right up on the clifftop) when I see a pod of dolphins – ten or so – cruising through the water. So effortless and graceful. It’s a treat.
The final section of the day occurs on a bush track through the Deep Creek Conservation Reserve. Again, wildflowers are abundant. It’s hot here. Not a breath of wind. And I am glad to reach camp a short time later.
I wander around looking for campsite 12. I pass Cath and Greg, and also Mel who was at the campsite last night. Mel has been section hiking, and this is her second to last section. She has been completing the trail slowly over a period of 4 years. That’s also such a massive commitment to achieving something! She will arrive in Cape Jervis the same day as the rest of us.
I find my site and set up. Still no reception – not enough for a conversation anyway. So I’ve decided to try not to think about the end today. Just enjoy the day for what it was. A perfect walking day.
P.S. I do get to talk to the head of my support crew. So that is an extra special treat that tops a wonderful day off nicely.
We really do live in paradise, don’t we? Such a vast range of landscapes you have trekked through. Such stunning coastal surrounds. And what freedoms we enjoy…..
As I write this, from lockdown yet again, that photo of your smiling, carefree face, wet, cold tousled hair and all, surrounded by that blue, blue water and sky, sums it all up!