So decided to plug in one more training run before our Cape to Cape attempt. This time I went off road onto the Bibbulmun track starting at the northern terminus end & seeing how far I could get before turning back.

The better half still recovering from his random virus he had picked up had to sit this one out.  I donned on my Lowa boots & small dayback with the essentials & set off in the early morning chill.

One noticeable difference along this section repeat is how dry it is. Not one drop of water anywhere, Piesse Brook & Rocky Pool. Dry as a bone. The first 5kms are not for the unfit, it is hilly enough to get your heart rate up & put your brow in a sweat. Up, down & up some more. The track is unforgiving & not so foot friendly. Over man made rock steps, tree roots & slipping about on loose pebbles & honkey nuts. Why be anywhere else?!

The great Bibbulmun track volunteers did an excellent job fixing up the spot where we last got lost. They must of received many complaints from lost hikers as they put up not one, not two, not three, not even four, but FIVE markers pointing in the right direction. Guess there’s no excuse to get lost now!

Once I had climbed another glorious hill up to the powerlines, the track became easier walking, wide & relatively flat. That’s more like it!

I was feeling quite good as I passed Fern Rd, then the Calamunda Camel Farm….. so went all the way to Hewitt shelter & back covering a distance of 21.5kms today in 5.5 hours.

Met this older lady heading south as I headed back in the hilly tough section. She donned a red deuter backpack just like mine from the Bibbulmun foundation office. Under the Bibb badge, there was a badge of a tortoise – resembling the badge that of the slow strollers on the Camino. Well she moved like a tortoise but there’s nothing wrong with that! We all get to the same destination, some just get there quicker. So this red faced lady whom admitted she had been off track awhile & not fit enough said, “Golly! I’m sure glad you came along! I was getting worried I must be going back to Kalamunda!” I assured her she was on the right path as she continued to Mundaring Weir where she would be picked up. Sure is great meeting like minded people on the track. Everyone is relaxed & happy as it should be.

The sun was feeling hot as I trooped back up Kalamunda Hill. There I passed another southbound hiker. His backpack looked equipped for an overnight camp. Hmmmmmmm, yep, that’s a good idea, finish work early & head off for an overnight hike….or two. But nope, on I plodded, slowing down on the last 1km. Because it is always the last km that is the hardest.

I suggest this should be repeated in Spring where the streams & brooks will be filled with water & the wildflowers will be out. It will look completely different. Amblings company of course is a given!

So….. the important question is, can we walk this Cape to Cape business?!? Stay tuned…..