28th August and 29th August

Day 19 & 20 Balingup to Blackwood

The next section only took a day but I had to walk almost back to Balingup on day 20! Walking south I was looking forward to the Golden Valley Tree Park just outside the township but the guidebook had exaggerated on its assets and I was a little disappointed in the place to be honest. 

Old Padbury Rd was a drag to walk along and I was pleased that conditions greatly improved after crossing the main South West Railway line 5 km from Balingup. The forest was lovely, the views to the right of the track were pleasant and an old tin mine was passed on the way down to a dam. About lunchtime I reached "Cardiac Hill" a steep climb of about 130 m which led to a lovely breezy plateau in a pine plantation. The track led to the west side of this hill with splendid views of the Blackwood river. The Blackwood hut had fantastic views of the river valley below.

Despite telling me he would be here tonight Rone didn't turn up. I couldn't sleep as I had to consider what to do in the morning in case something awful had happened. In the end I decided to walk back to Balingup the next day after getting 2 hours sleep in the hut by myself. Over the 29th of August I had walked 25 km I estimated getting as far as the railway line before meeting Rone coming the other way. Apparently he enjoyed the Origin centre and wanted another night and had missed me in the morning. I was quite angry that he didn't make it to the hut as he committed to do so and decided that I would travel separately from DRV onwards.

On Day 20 we saw two bob tail lizards and 28's a parrot that locals here consider to be a major pest.

Day 21 - Blackwood hut to Gregory Brook