Day 3 Blanket Bay to Cape Otway 11km
Left Blanket bay second as some others had to do 20km today.
I was able to look at a couple of Durston tents, 1 man around 600gms that uses 2 poles. He was going to Aire River but not in a rush as it has mosquitos he's heard. The second Durston was a 2 man made out of Dyneema Fabric.
Today started well along the cliffs and around the creeks which usually brings some bigger trees and tree ferns then a downhill to Parker Inlet. There are 2 streams the first an easy walk over, the second requiring a large leap onto a rock 3/4 the way over then to the sand bank. No shoes required to come off. But with camera set up for the crossing now going back was more harder than coming over so shoes off.
rest stop at the bottom of the 300 stairs to come, knowing this from The Australian Hiker podcast.
Up the steps it was with kids running down. Im thinking there got a lot of energy coming from Otway lighthouse when in fact they have come form Parker hill campground. About 8 people in all 2 families I think going down the stairs.
Signs of beware of snakes seen but no snakes were sighted by me.
The rest of the days walk was along the coast, nice bay at Crayfish Bay then the Cape Otway lighthouse appears along with farmland on the right hand side and no trees or bushes.
Arriving at the lighthouse around 12.30 $10 entry fee paid, along with a can of Solo, packet of crisps off into the heritage area. Arriving to the cafe with my pack left outside table I bought 2 cakes , hot chocolate and consumed them averlooking the lighthouse. Dumped my rubbish at the bin outside the cafe, the only opportunity on trail.
An hour resting then off 500m or so through the car park guessing where the trail might be and 400m on a trail to a right turn to the campground with no one there at 2.00pm.
Found a good spot before seeing birds at the bird bath tap near the toilet then an echidna drinking all the water so I gave it some more twice, very thirsty echidna.
At the shelter Brad arrived, Matt arrived, Frenchies Jonas and Lilly. There was a father and son and 4 other people arrived late.
Matt and Brad were going to wake up at 5.00pm and leave at 6.00am in the morning to avoid the rain predicted at 10.30am the next day.
A bit of shelter talk and dinner before going to bed.