Cape to Cape Part 1

Sharon and I left home (Carpenter Retreat) for the last time on 22nd May 2017 after 26.5 years. Possibly not to return until it's time for us to retire. We left with many years of happiness and fond memories with plenty of good times raising our two boys and entertaining many friends over the years. Our first hike was from home to the train station of 2.75km felt easy. our first stage of our 2 year journey starting the next day.

On to the train for Mandurah with a whole 3 car carriage all to ourselves nothing like getting use to our own company straight from the start. Once at Mandurah on to a bus to Busselton and to be picked up by Val & Tom to stay the night with them. Tuesday morning is cold and wet not a very inviting day to start hiking for 130km.

Val dropped us off at Cape Naturalist and did the usual custom of touching the lighthouse before starting the Cape to Cape track. Asked at the shop about directions to the beginning of the track. Followed the directions given and we were unsure exactly where it started. Should have been an omen to our future. When we finally agreed where to start from the time was about 9.30am and we followed a nice bitumen trail to the sign in book for the trail. we wrote we would take 7 days how wrong we were. The trail was bitumen all the way to sugarloaf rock which made it easy. Sharon was weaving a lot already so I was already getting concerned for her. We were carrying more weight today because we had all our water containers full so we both really noticed the difference in our packs.

We only had to complete 10.5km today to reach our first camp at Mount Duckworth Camp Site. The track was easy going but we struggled. There was light drizzle off and on so we were going from being hot to cold quite rapidly. Reached camp about 2.00pm glad to stop for the night. We shared the camp with two guys from Hobart who were walking to Prevelly.

The next morning Wednesday we woke to light rain while trying to cook breakfast and pack up camp. Another wet day ahead with wet equipment. We both struggled again all day between showers and a lot of rock climbing amazing coast but neither of us really appreciating it at the moment to deep in our agony. We carried extra water just in case we can't make the next camp site 24km called Moses Rock. I judged correctly and both flagged it at about 12km.

Found a nice flat area above the cliffs and decided to stay the night. This was true camping no luxury tonight. So no toilet no water and no nice table to lay out your gear on. Great view lots of wind and more rain to lull us to sleep that night.

Woke on Thursday morning to more showers and wet gear to pack again and this is only day three. so neither of us was very enthusiastic to start. I came up with a brilliant idea that morning that we were both jobless and homeless and didn't matter how long this journey took. So I decided when we get to Mosses Rock 12km we would have everything we needed (Water, Toilet, Food, Shelter and Table) to stay an extra day and take it easy. I was concerned about water because we had no where to fill up. Looking at the map we should be able to get water from Quininup Falls. When we arrived it wasn't running and the water tasted slightly salty and brackish. Thank goodness for the life straw I was given as a Christmas present we used it to drink over a litre of brackish water between our self and we washed in the non flowing creek (The Arctic Ocean was warmer than this). Our second wash in two days. Previous day we went for a swim at Yallingup and a cold shower both occasions true indulgence. We arrived at Mosses about 2.30pm with more light rain and a far nicer camp site than the first night. Nice view's also.

Woke up Thursday morning to more drizzle but did not matter we weren't going anywhere. We were just spending the time reading and going down a steep cliff to get to an amazing rugged coast. Feeling much better after a days rest and ready to tackle the track again Friday Morning.

Friday was the best weather day so far.

Didn't want to spend another night cooking in the drop toilets.

So Friday we are heading to Gracetown Caravan Park to stay a night in a cabin so we can wash clothes and organise details for our home which has now just become an investment property. We had Tenants move in 2 days after we left. A great walk but the closer we got to Gracetown which was only 11.5km away the harder it was to find the track. It was the beginning of my continual cursing of the poorly marked trail. Later when we got closer to Prevelly we lost the trail again and asked directions from a young gent where the track was he gave us directions and said he worked for the Dept of Parks and Wildlife and everyone loses there way on this part of the track and thought he may mention it to the powers that be to repair the signage.

We finally made it into Gracetown about 12.00pm our timing is slowly improving. Asked directions from some young surfer girl where the Caravan Park was we were informed it was 3km back out of town from the direction we just came. She offered a lift to the Caravan Park but we declined. Thought we may find something else in town and didn't want to add another 3km to our journey the next day. We couldn't find anymore accommodation it just didn't exist. Sharon was totally exhausted and didn't want to go any further that day. Sharon rang the Caravan Park and explained we had rang the day before after a cabin but expected the park would be in the town. The nice owner offered to pick us up where we were and take us to his Caravan Park. 15 minutes latter he pulls up in a brand new Ford Ranger XLT only purchased the day before. Carefully put our packs in the tray and we were off for restocking food and a shower. He even dropped us off at the track again the next morning after off loading about 8kg of unnecessary gear which he stored for us so we could pick it up on the way back.

All refreshed and ready to go only 8km to the Ellensbrook campsite.

Arrived at Ellensbrook Homestead far quicker than I thought we would, must be that 8kg of less weight. In 1857 Ellen and Alfred Bussell chose the site of their new home and called it Ellensbrook after the wife. It was protected from storms and fresh water supplied. This is a lovely place if you are looking for somewhere to picnic. After spending time here we headed back on the track which took us past caves and waterfalls.

After we left the paved path we headed for our camp site of Ellensbrook before we knew it we had arrived. End of another day time about 11.30am and an even better campsite than previous ones. A couple of hours latter a Frenchman arrived to stay the night and was planning on completing the track in 5 days. He had to be in Augusta on Thursday. We found out by the register at the end of the track he had made it in time.

So onto Monday 29th of May. Or Day 7 and finish at Prevelly to be picked up by Julie a friend of Sharon's from Baldivis Primary School.