TravelStream™ news feed for member broony79 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/broony79 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:15:38 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/4/1256701065/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/4/1256701065/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/4/1256701065/tpod.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:15:38 -0400 Capes on the Cape to Cape

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Yallingup, Western Australia, Australia

Distance 50km?

07:05 hrs; 'If yesterday wasn't a test, today will be. The bag is heavier, I have no emotional support and there is 50km to walk'

I set off with my leftover pizza, a slight groggy feeling and with good luck (did I need it?) from Carl and Verity. Having made no contact with Yallingup Caravan Park and with no guarantee I would make it there I had packed my 1 man tent and sleeping bag ready for the worst. My plan was just to walk until I flop and there would be no camp-site either.

07:29 hrs; 'Shoes off already to cross the Margaret Rivers Mouth.

At Cape Mentelle I got a little off track and decided to clamber over some rocks to get my self back on the Kilcarnup Beach. Here the beach is protected from the heavy morning wind and the waters looked very snorkel-able.

08:19 hrs; 'Came across 2 birds tied together at their feet with fishing line. Unfortunate act, don't know how this could have happened. Sadly I left my sharp implements with Carl/Verity so I had to leave them to their sorry death and there is nothing I can do about it'

At 9pm I was on Gnoocardup Rd realising I was off the 1st map of 7 for the days attempt. This was on a sand track through low-lying bush showing a lacklustre effort to colour arouse.

09:40 hrs; 'Shoes off, feet hurt already. Sitting here at Ellensbrook river-side seat nibbling on some frozen Pizza, the rest to be saved for later'

09:56 hrs; 'located Mint in the grounds of Ellenbrook homestead. Thoughts of enjoying mojito's flashed across my mind on one of these beaches, hot and sexy'

Clutching 'the Womb' I skirt more cliffs towards 'Left Handers', 'Cowaramup Point' then Gracetown. I'd never been to Gracetown before. But like many of these beach towns between the capes, it was full of old junk surfie houses and new 2 storied stunners.

11:39 hrs; 'In Gracetown 4 ½ hours after departing Prevelly. Thats only 18km. Pick it up Alex'

12:03 hrs; 'Just at the North Point where I passed 20 backpacker group heading in the other direction. The tour leader asked where I was heading, on mention of Yallingup they said I was CRAZY'

Ignoring the pain in my feet the next few hours of walking was very pleasurable. Also I met more Cape to Cape groups passing me.

13:08 hrs; 'Saw Whale tale-fins in the ocean while I stopped for lunch (rest of left over pizza)'

Down through Biljedup Brook the trees had a sorry look about them however the landscape was very plush. 2 km later at Willyabrup Brook it was necessary to take my shoes off again as the depth was to risky to cross on the rocks.

15:05 hrs; 'Just passed Moses camp-site, 2 tents up but no one present. This is now the end of the 4th map of 7. Will my feet make it to Yallingup?'

Along the coast I tracked more whales. At one point they were slapping there big pectoral fins against the water.

16:33 hrs; 'Taking advantage of a small beach section Quininup Brook to take my shoes/socks off and give them a well deserved break. It's been slow progress this last hour'

18:02 hrs; 'Just South of the Mobile Dunes near Injidup Beach. My tent is erect on a slight incline 30 meters above see level facing the Indian Ocean, My shoes are off while I look over the plan for tomorrow. I'm ready to rest after what I believe was a 45 km effort'

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/4/1255918328/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/4/1255918328/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/4/1255918328/tpod.html Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:43:53 -0400 Capes on the Cape to Cape

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Hamelin Bay, Western Australia, Australia

Distance: 38km

What a sound sleep we all had, although it had to be said that Verity did have some weird nightmares including that I was disabled!

Now let me just say what a hit mocha milk cereal was for me. Got me in the right zone. We were ready for action at 07:00 hrs, but the two gentlemen in the caravan opposite wanted to talk. One of them had a speech problem, perhaps, or it could have been some morning swallow sticking in his larynx.

07:07 hrs; Verity noted, “Its not human to be awake at this time in the morning”.

Carl had this plan to save us a few 100 meters off the arduous beach section. However it turned pear shaped as we took the wrong path, losing 15 mins of time. We did get back on the right track and yes did cut off a few meters of beach. It all counts when you have a 9 km stretch ahead of you.
07:28 hrs; Carls says, “Bad call, round on me at Prevelly”

The weather on the beach section was dull, overcast with occasional showers. Not enough to put on the waterproof trousers, but cold enough for the jacket.

07:59 hrs; 'Bet for when we would exit Boranup Beach: Alex 08:45, Verity 09:10, Carl 08:50 hrs'.

It's here I want to tell you the story of Ohiru and his Dad, Kaiseki. Kaiseki was a little overweight for his size but that did not stop him from spending time teaching Ohiru lessons of life and having some good farther-son bonding time. As part of this every year Kaiseki would take his son for a trip North. If you asked Kaiseki why he took his son North every year he would say something like, 'we fancied a trip to the aqarium' or 'just wanted to escape the cold for a bit'. However Kaiseki had alternative motives. He loved yummy-mummies, or Yums for short. He knew by heading North the Yums would be enjoying the warmer climate with their young ones. Nothing like catching them when their vulnerable Kaiseki thought to himself.
It was actually here looking for Yums where Kaiseki got his name. He was spotted as someone that would be of greater good being part of an experiment. That experiment found that turning him into tatsuta-age allowed 670,396 Japanese school children to have lunch for a week and also provide substance to 1,201,800 cans of pet food. The scientist on this Japanese Whaling boat thus named this whale 'Kaiseki' after their name for a traditional multi-course dinner. These fishermen in lab coats continue to experiment with whaling to obtain the most scientifically sound way to find, kill and process whale meat. On their successful catch of Kaiseki they saw, but thankfully left his son, in the hope he would too become meaty in age. They nicknamed him 'Ohiru', Lunch!

Normally one of the highlights of walking these stretches of waters between Sept to December is the migration of Humpback, Southern Right and Blue Whales North. However it was on the beach that I came across evidence of this Japanese Whaling, aka Scientific Research of Whales, within our coast line. One of these research boats must have strewn a bottle of Kirin Afternoon Lemon Tea over the side. It should be noted here that I cannot read Japanese, I only know this as it was the only English available on the bottle for Tourist purposes! Anyway this ultimately ended up on our beach where I took iPictures of the evidence. Green Peace have already absorbed the photo on their website and 10's of activists have expressed their disgust of this foreign research being conducted in our waters.

After 2 hrs of beach walking and me writing messages in the sand for Verity who was a little behind, we headed through some bush land until joining Boranup Beach Road. Here we followed a series of 4-Wheel Drive tracks inland using Georgette Road as our mainstay. Being on good walking ground allowed us to take it easy and have some good chats.

As we headed closer and closer to Point Rd Camp ground the scenery got taller (Peppermints) and taller (Karri). Once at the deserted camp site we grabbed a picnic table for lunch. I ate this ready to eat space-ago Mexican wrap. It was edible but felt wrong forcing your dinner out of a pouch – But saved carrying a stove.

12:28 hrs; 'Bet for when we would make it to Prevelly Caravan Park: Alex 17:00, Verity 17:45, Carl 17:20 hrs'.

A 20 minute walk bought us to Contos camp-site where we missed our turning. Not to worry cause out comes the iCompass. Yes that's why I bought a new iFriend 3GS, so when I got lost it knew where to take me. Sure enough it pulled us out of the camp-site back on track without having to back track. So we headed West back towards the limestone cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean.

15:04 hrs; 'Reality check, 9kms left, should be there before dusk

16:00 hrs: 'We are over Boodjidup Brook, my feet are completely soaked through, I feel like I'm walking in buckets, but I saved my iPhone from drowning. Verity got wet'

Yeah so what happened here. On the southern side of the 1 foot deep Boodjidup Brook we decide to deviate from the inland track and keep on the beach. This was the flatter and more direct route to Prevelly saving about 40% in the remaining distance. However there was the Brook! Carl headed up river to try and find a crossing. I went straight for the mouth of the Brook where it met the ocean. There I waited for the wave to pull back and tiptoe over the shallow river water where it spanned out. I then walked 10 meters up the river bank where Verity was deciding how to cross it on the other side. She was not keen with the shallow mouth dance. So in an attempt to prove to here all would be fine I placed my bag on the sand a further 10 meters up the bank of the river and took my iFriend out my pocket placing it on the bag. Headed back to the mouth I returned over the Brook again without getting wet. I was then about to grab Verity's bag and show her that all was fine when the ocean through us a large wave washing up the banks of the brook. I turned to see that we were both retreating up past the level of my bag. The wave was not relenting, shit! My Bag! No, My PHONE! I ran across the river grabbing my phone in one swoop but leaving the bag for the wave to pick it up and dump it in the Brook. 2 seconds later I grabbed my bag too. No permanent damage. Just a half wet bag and 2 wet through walking shoes. Carl missed the incident.

The remaining 4kms were bitter for me as my feet started to soften up in all the water. Although Verity's Sour Snakes went some way to take the edge of the bitterness.

We passed Prevelly Sewage works were Carl commented that we wont be having Duck for dinner as they were swimming in shit.

The last km was past some stunning architecturally sound beach houses. But hitting the caravan park could not have come sooner enough. Carl won the bet as we entered the Park around 17:20. Drinks on Verity!

We booked into the Park, Carl bought some beers and I took off my wet shoes. Carl came up with the fantastic idea of stuffing them with newspaper to absorb the water. Thanks mate.

We went to a restaurant for dinner that was run by a French Chef. Here we all ignored his superb menu of lamb, fresh fish etc for pizza. I ordered a large one so I could have some tomorrow for lunch. As it turned out none of us could finish our pizza. So the waiter came over and offered to get them wrapped in tin foil shaped as a duck. Carl and I laughed as we swore not to have duck so Carl requested that his was turned into a swan instead.

The accommodation was an old fibro cottage that I booked as an upgrade to the even older cabins at the parks suggestion as 'more luxurious'. These were better than the cabins, just, but would be best replaced by transportables as in Hamelin Bay. Few drinks, newspaper in shoe replacements and card games and it was off to bed.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/4/1255167911/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/4/1255167911/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/4/1255167911/tpod.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:47:55 -0400 Capes on the Cape to Cape

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Augusta, Western Australia, Australia

Distance: 27km

Let's just step back a day. Yesterday, a Saturday, I worked till 11pm. This was not really putting myself in prime form for a 5am wake-up call. Why 5am you say. Well our Trekkers meeting from the Wednesday prior suggested we needed to leave the lighthouse by 8am for the 28km stage walk.

So tired, Carl and I drove the 2hrs to Augusta stopping off at Prevelly Bay Caravan Park to pick up Verity. Sensibly having the Saturday off she stayed the night there to ready herself for the stages ahead and allowing her to leave her car there to return (hopefully) 2 days later.

Cape Leewin lighthouse is located at the harsh nipple of land against where the Indian Ocean collides against the Southern Ocean. I would also accept the argument that the Southern collides against the Indian. Either way, they meet, clash and create big white waves. We exit the car at 08:03 to natures hand of gusty wind & overcast weather.

I was gutted that my 3 red vinyl capes where not with me. We are talking a total of $9 worth, so as you can imagine, I was hurting. But more to the point in some insane part of my brain I thought it would be cool to walk a section of the cape to cape in capes.

Heading North past the old Waterwheel we started skirting Quarry Bay before ascending into the bush. It was here Carl came out with a classic quote and it inspired me to start a voice diary for the trip.
08:32 hrs; Carl quote, “I think we should stick to the path and go along it”.
If I was in sarcastic mood the list could be endless here, but lets not go there.

We tramped along the marked path, ~75m above sea level, for several kms. The terrain was skimpy bush. Bush that's has proven it can survive is poor soil (aka sand), strong winds and little or lots of water. The native flora ranged from Verity's height of 952.6mm to Carl's lofty size of 9 foot (heights quoted subject to independent scrutiny). Carl was definitely in the best position to enjoy the wonderful views of the Indian Ocean and Augusta Cliffs.

08:59 hrs; 'Carl big feet destroys bush vegetation, 1000's die in insect colony'

An hour and half into the walk we came across our first major fauna, a blue tongue lizard. This was not significant for our Aussie, Verity, but for us Pommes it BIG. We even got the lizard to smile for the camera and stick out his big licker!

9 km into the walk we hit the beach where the signs ended....
10:37 hrs; 'We're not on a marked path, we think we're heading in the right direction, the wind is battering us, my nose is snotty and we are ploughing forward'
After a couple of hard kms beach walking we figured out we should probably use the map I had bought with us. After some discussion we realised we had made better progress then we first gave ourselves credit for. AND there was still a lot more beach walking in front of us. Carl had decided to head the pack. This was fine by me as I was making the most of his footprints in the soft sand. Unfortunately for Verity her stride was shorter and she could not benefit from Carl's big paw prints.

Our path took us past some craggy outcrops, blowholes and more sand until....
11:19 hrs; 'encountered 4 other trekkers coming the other way, they estimated 15km, 3hrs to Hamelin Bay, and apparently we are still on the track although we still have not seen a cape to cape sign post on the beach'.
11:34 hrs; 'Carl has now shook up some snail like creatures of the deep who had made home on a beached log'.

Nothing to do with the fishy snails, hunger was setting in and we agreed to stop at the beach exit. We deserved it man! We found a sheltered spot behind a dune and feasted with sarnies, fruit and chocolate. I had the super ration of 200 chocolate grams a day. Big W's finest Belgian (only cause they don't sell beer).

After rounding Cape Hamelin there was still another beach section before we inclined towards a small lighthouse. Strangely there is a 5km bay between Hamelin Bay and Cape Hamelin, this is aptly named Foul.
15:03 hrs; 'Bet for when we would get into Hamelin Bay: Alex 15:45, Verity 15:25, Carl 15:40 hrs'.
Heading North from the lighthouse 500m inland along Foul Bay we were again following markers. If we had all read the book thoroughly we would know that there are no signs on the beach only where the exit points are! Furthermore if we had the map open in front of us we would have known that, when just in sight of Hamelin Bay caravan park, the path takes an unexpected turn West back towards the beach for a 1km slog before ascending up some rocky formations. It did not end there, as just before the caravan park was a 'relic of past prosperity jetty' where the logs from the local forests were exported to His Majesties United Kingdom in the late 1800's.

We arrived just before the park closed at 16:00 hrs. They had run out of milk so we bought a mocha milk shake for our cereal and Carl topped up on supplies. The cabin was fairly new and in good condition. The shower block had warm showers that we greatly appreciated! After we cleaned up I cooked spaghetti in a electric wok (a kitchen first for me) and tossed in the Italian sausage Verity supplied. Nothing like a fantastic Carb overload after a solid days walk.

It was that evening before a few games of cards we fully absorbed the challenge of the day ahead. There would be no sleep in. Yes, pat on the back, we walked 27km today, but then there is tomorrow. We calculated 39 km. What were we thinking?!? Ah yes there was logic in it. We don't need to carry tents as we have booked in at a cottage there. Less weigh, more comfort! But what if we don't make it.......

20:30 hrs; 'zzzzzzzzzzzzzz'

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241319180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241319180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241319180/tpod.html Mon, 11 May 2009 23:08:08 -0400 Road Trip North in Western Australia

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Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia

Dive 10: 100's & 1000's, Lighthouse Bay
Dive Duration: 50 min
Max. Depth: 12.4 meters
Dive Description: Heaps of fish, an octopus, turtle, anemones, nudibranks, flat-worm & a beautiful leatherback playing the coral.

Well there was no horror film and all survived. Returning to the camp site the party continued onto alcohol. So with no shower and my bandana on to cover my salty hair we headed to the local Aussie Rules groud. Exmouth were playing Carnavon. We arrived at half time to the away team running away with it. Chris, the dive master, was playing for Exmouth.
We headed to Potshot for an overpriced steak and drinks with all but the Swiss team. This moved onto the bar where the dive team joined us and butter was involved. The rest is history.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241271540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241271540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241271540/tpod.html Mon, 11 May 2009 23:07:52 -0400 Road Trip North in Western Australia

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Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia

Day 12 - Mon 2nd May
Live-a-board Dive Day 3, Ningaloo Reef

Dive 8: The Ridge, Tandibiddi (No Pictures)
Dive Duration: 45 min
Max. Depth: 22.5 meters
Dive Description: Poor visibility. The highlight was staring at this stingray under the rocks when out of nowhere a large Loggerhead Turtle came towards me. Inhaling quickly I floated up while it swam under me. Good swim-through.

Dive 9: Eldorado, Lighthouse Bay
Dive Duration: 56 min
Max. Depth: 12.8 meters
Dive Description: Strange dive......I was peering under an overhang when a 2 meter Lemon Shark came out right at me. I shat myself. The divemaster saw the me and the shark depart and gestured going for a No2 on the toilet. Also saw snakes, nudibranks, shrimps and an awesome manta shrimp that the dive master caught on film.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241231400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241231400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241231400/tpod.html Mon, 11 May 2009 23:07:39 -0400 Road Trip North in Western Australia

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Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia

Dive 7: Blizzard Ridge, Lighthouse Bay
Dive Duration: 47 min
Max. Depth: 14.0 meters
Dive Description: Same spot as the night dive but with poor visibility due to swell. Saw the lionfish & 4 sea snakes.

No night dive, bad swell & the Jenny needed repairing to refill our cylinders with air.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241230740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241230740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241230740/tpod.html Mon, 11 May 2009 23:07:24 -0400 Road Trip North in Western Australia

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Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia

Dive 6: Labyrinth, Lighthouse Bay
Dive Duration: 50 min
Max. Depth: 14.3 meters
Dive Description: Plenty of turtles (green and hawksbill), one was particularly cute putting his flippers over his eyes.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241186640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241186640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241186640/tpod.html Mon, 11 May 2009 23:07:08 -0400 Road Trip North in Western Australia

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Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia

Dive 5: Gulliver's, Lighthouse Bay
Dive Duration: 50 min
Max. Depth: 13.4 meters
Dive Description: Before the dive a school of Pilot Whale (look like larger flat nosed dolphins) swam with the boat jumping out the water. Dive was lighter in coral and different fish life to Murion Islands, however weather meant we had to dive in sheltered area. Played/teased an octopus which was the dive highlight. Plenty of cod.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241133840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241133840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241133840/tpod.html Fri, 08 May 2009 21:37:48 -0400 Road Trip North in Western Australia

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Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia

Dive 3: Fraggle Rock, South Murion Island
Dive Duration: 47 min
Max. Depth: 13.7 meters
Dive Description: Coral, cod, turtles, & overhangs

Dive 4 (First Ever Night Dive, No pictures): Blizzard Reef, Lighthouse Bay
Dive Duration: 45 min
Max. Depth: 12.8 meters
Dive Description: Coral, Turtles, Rays, red-stripped Lionfish, Wobbiegong Shark, Barracuda, Moray Eel, Batfish & a Sea Snake. As we surfaced 2 Dolphins joined the party and played around the boat for a while.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241111100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241111100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/broony79/3/1241111100/tpod.html Fri, 08 May 2009 21:37:34 -0400 Road Trip North in Western Australia

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Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia

Dive 2: Whalebone, South Murion Island
Dive Duration: 51 min
Max. Depth: 12.6 meters
Dive Description: 6 meter coral swim-through, massive potato cod, turtle, kari shells & nudibranks.
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