Day 7 Ryans Den to Devils Kitchen
10.00pm sleep last night and finished off the Box Car Children E reader listening to. Left at 8.00am from Ryans Den first again.
This was meant to be the hardest day with more ups and downs, stairs etc but it didnt feel like that perhaps it was the flat beach walking. Tides are right and going out 7.45am high tide going out till 4pm.
Slept ok last night, temperature may have got down to 13 degrees C as when I got up it was 14 degrees C.
Overnight clouds. Wake up 5.30am then when I open my eyes again it was 6.15am. Warm enough last night, the sheet came over the legs area, thermals, undies and shorts, 1 socks, T shirt, Long sleeve thermal , shirt and puff open up, eanie stayed on and gloves came off.
At breakfast I was the only one up but Brad was getting up as I was leaving.
From Ryans Den it starts through coastal cliff heathland and barely views of the ocean but memorable is the uphill on grass next to or on farmland and the view behind of where Ryans Den was located. Some stiles and gates to cross over before more heathland until you come to another locked gate and farmland fence along what initially starts as a road (Parkers Access Road) but the trail follows the fence line and not the road so more wet feet on the grass.
It has started to rain a bit heavier now and the umberellas up as its still too warm for a jacket to go over the clothes. I see a bright red faced black cockatoo but not able to get a great video due to the distance and weather. male Gang-Gang Cockatoo.
At the end of the fence line where the farmers have pulled up every tree in sight to feed cows is the naitonal park again and stunning beauty again. Theres and electric fence, shelter to collect water for the wash and scrub feet station that I have morning tea at and Brad rocks up all wet as he has decide not to put on a rain jacket because of the heat and is wet all over.
We walk together for some time before my videoing takes priority and he keeps on going. we pass thruogh the forest and tree ferns before getting to The Gable car Park area where Im on the lookout for signs to the Wreck beach area as Ive told everyone we are taking the beach today to avoid more hills and a nice scenic change.
366 steps to the beach later but there is harder sand near the waters edge which I take advantage off,but notice Brad is tramping on the soft sand by his footprints.
Wreck Beach has an anchor in the sand you can walk past, plenty of rocks, a hippie looking for something on the rocks and some illegal abolone snorkellers who the rangers later chat to in the water.
Then there is an anchor of the Fiji cemented in the rocks at the location of the boat tradegy. I walk a little on and decide to have a good feed, not lunch of sultanas, meuslie bar and chips and drink plenty with shoes off, socks off and insoles out to dry a little at about 12.20 to 12.30. I can feel my feet getting wrinkly from the wet shoes and could cause me issues if I didnt dry them out before continuing. Short walk then uphill to campground 650m from sign.
I see two more people coming down the beach, knowing theres a good spot at camp I want on the cliff I head off before them following Brad's footsteps off the beach as there is only a little sign indicating off the beach. Brad had put an arrow on the bech but I didnt see it. Up and up to the top of the cliff and back around to Devils Kitchen GOW campsite. to arrive at 1.10pm. Brad has taken the best spot but says he can share it with me as we dont take up much space. Theres a table in between and a lookout bench a few metres away. Best spot alright.
Most people chill out arriving setting up their tent and sleeping gear while I have lunch and relax at the shelter.
In the afternoon around 6pm as its getting colder I head off for a walk back towards Apollo Bay when there is a track to Fiji memorial so take a look. Ive only got crocks on so hoping not too far. I try to get some bird shots but manage to get Telstra Reception at the highest part near the memorial to the deaths of the Fiji that crashed on rocks in the 1800's and were buried there. On the way back I hear a noise which I thought was a kangaroo but it was a koala reaching up to grab some leaves of a low shrub but before I could get a photo it scurried off never to be seen again. I was amazed as there were no gum trees around only heath.
Phone call over its back to campsite and dinner of noodles again, but two bags/cups of different varieties with one thats a little spicy in the sweet chilli sauce.