Day 4
Boodjidup Bridge to Hamelin Bay Caravan Park, 31.4km 17 degree Celsius day.
I had a good night sleep, some light rain overnight but a dry tent by morning.
My plan was to get up at 5.00am to see if I could make it to Hamelin Bay which would put me back on track, though Deepden was the original plan. Hamelin Bay was also an option in the planning, just meant more kilometres on the last day. Months beforehand I made a booking at Hamelin Bay caravan Park but when they wanted the money up front I said no. Due to Covid I didn’t want to book something I might not be able to get my money back on. I also thought how many people would book for un unpowered tent site so I let it lapse. A good decision because it allowed me flexibility to camp anywhere along the track and there was plenty of room anyway, at least 4 empty sites next to me.
I departed at 6.15am after a couple of cups of Irish Breakfast tea and breakfast of rice porridge with small packet of sultanas and apple, topped with raw sugar and a small milk sachet I took from the Busselton Backpackers accommodation. Today was the dreaded 6km walk along the beach just before Hamelin Caravan Park. Having now looked at the book, there it was, over the two pages, and I was walking it at the end of the day too.
Across the bridge at the brook when I came across a young couple of NOBO’s who I reckon must have camped in the sandhills as Contos campsite was still too far away to leave early in the morning and get to where we crossed. The walk along the dunes was great, out of the wind and the sun had not risen yet above the dunes and hills.
I reached Contos campsite at 9.30am for a toilet stop and water fill-up including 2 litres extra as it was meant to be a dry part of the walk coming up. It’s strange that there are drop toilets ie no flushing toilets, with a tap just outside to wash your hands. While there was not any streams going past I still had the 2 litres unused at the end of the day. I really recommend the Point Road camp spot which had no one camping there but had toilets and places for a fire but I think the lack of water , and being 4wd only and further away from the coast turns people off. A group of day hikers and some overnight hikers left Campo campground before me and I caught up to them until I had a rest half way at the top of the Boranup hill. Big walk inland today with big trees and a late lunch at 1.15pm in a nice shady spot just before the 6km beach walk. A good shower came through and the umbrella came out which sheltered me from the rain. At least I was able to use it on the trip.
The group of 5 had taken their shoes off and were walking close to the shore along the beach so following them was impossible as I would have gotten wet socks and shoes. I stopped 3 times on the beach and did not even have the energy to get out my water bottle on the second and third time for a drink. There is a small island you can see clearly once you enter the beach that appeared to be at the half way mark but I never felt like I was getting closer to it leaving me disappointed. To have a goal to feel you are getting closer only to never have it achieved. It appears as you get to Hamelin Caravan Park it juts out of the point. People were swimming at the beach closer to Hamelin Bay CP even though the weather was not over 20 degrees. It is the school holidays so the Caravan park is full of families. Hamelin Bay is famous for feeding stingrays, but the weather was against us today and the stingrays were nowhere to be found. Some of the 5 walkers I followed appeared to be staying at a cabin in the Caravan Park while the others were leaving to go back home.
I hit Hamelin cp at 3.28pm and came across the shop where I bought a chocolate milk, and crunchie. 200m more to the reception for a $28 camping site. With the shop closing at 5.00pm the tent was set up and back down to the shop for a Powerade and a coke. I would carry the can and Powerade for the walk the following day and to celebrate the finish.
Today I saw only one snake with a yellow belly crossing the track from left to right quickly moving but it does keep you peeled for every stick on the track.
I realised I had a bruise on my right bicep for some strange reason, and thought maybe from heaving the pack onto that arm before getting my left arm in the straps, and onto my back. But it doesn’t hurt at all.
I am finding difficulty getting up after resting, and now need to get on my knees before standing, like I used to see old people doing after they are sitting down, now I’m one of them.
I have sore shoulders, sore upper back from the shoulder straps pulling my shoulders back to a better postural position and sore legs.