Today we'll finish the Track's Section 47, which we started yesterday. The Guidebook says to make a prompt start this morning (always get a little nervous with those words as it indicates a more difficult day), but promises some of the "best Karri / Tingle / Sheoak forest in the South-West": so we are very excited about that and can hardly wait. We had a note on our ToDo List for the Walpole area to confirm our crossing with MadFish Charters, which we'd booked a couple of months ago: we'd sent a SMS and are now waiting for a reply (hopefully).

Sandi wrote:

Now today. A good sleep for P and for me, barring a couple of hours in the middle of the night in which I fiddled with a limerick and song for Tracy [a workmate of Sandi's] and sent via SMS! Also thought that number for Claire in phone was wrong and looked at that and it appears to be problem. Bit relieved to have sorted that. Will put down limerick before I forget them...

Limerick for Tracey:

There was a young lady called Tracy
Who had wanted to look somewhat racey
She checked out a diet
Light & Easy: she'd try it
And lost lots of weight, as did Jacey!
(or and trimmed herself down and her Jacey)

Tracy, Tracy, put in your notice do
We're all crazy since we have worked with you
A NUM now in Katoomba
Lets do a little Zumba
And wish you well as we work like hell
and you're free of the DSU

Day 44 Google Earth Track

Coalmine Beach Frankland

Sandi wrote:

In the morning we set to and packed up and breakfasted. Ate extra muesli as P didn't want to carry it, seems like a lot, but I managed 1.5 times; it did keep the wolf from the door for a while. Also double tablets as I forgot them yesterday.

Considerable confusion over breakfast where I think I miscalculated the amount of muesli we'd need over the next section. Because the muesli is one of the more heavy parts of our diet I wanted to get rid of the extra: so we ate it (to our own detriment). Sandi's note in the diary shows how distressed she was with my mood: shameful really (note to self: must do better!)

Sandi wrote:

P says he feels out of sorts once we get going, and it seems to be that he has over eaten. I am quite confused by it all really, didn't get it at all. Anyway, it seems he's withdrawn and upset at himself and feeling bloated. So off we go and initially it was rather pleasant, but he gets quite grumpy and it makes it all hard.

After heading around Nornalup Inlet, the Track crosses the South Coast Highway and climbs back into a Karri and Tingle forest and up to Hilltop Lookout.

Sandi wrote:

Forest lovely and open and walk straight forward.

From Hilltop Lookout it's a short walk through the massive Karri / Tingle / Sheoak forest to the Giant Tingle Tree. I'm sure I've found another misprint in the Guidebook when it refers to a "massive hollow stump", the top of which is "25m off the ground": but it's all true!

Sandi wrote:

Got waylaid by some grey nomads at the Giant Tingle Tree (which was cool), and that held us up, but they were a very pleasant couple from SA and quite interesting too.

The amount of discussion that the FUSE Solar Charger generates is amazing. It is obvious as it sits on top of Sandi's pack, but everyone who sees it wants to ask about it: I'm very happy to discuss it and pass on my recommendations – it's an awesome piece of equipment! But so is the SPOT Messenger; and the Sony Camera; and Garmin GPS; not to mention all the high-tech bushwalking equipment: just not so obvious, I suppose?

Sandi wrote:

So off we go again and I needed morning tea, but P abstained.

I still couldn't face the thought of food yet... The Guidebook mentions Douglas Hill Lookout, but we couldn't see much evidence of it. The Track turns onto Tingle Drive and heads North-West for nearly 2km, before we turn off onto a bush track again. The Guidebook says that there are "occasional but spectacular glimpses through the trees into the valley" along Tingle Drive: glimpses should be underlined!

Sandi wrote:

Then not much further, and here we are. German lass Juli and a bloke Kevin here having a rest day. They tend to keep to themselves. Isabel was here a couple of days ago and left 2 chocolate bars and a note in the red book. I had lunch, but P abstained, but had a cup of tea and has put himself to bed. Hope he feels better when he gets up.

Whilst I slept off my bad mood Sandi put the socks out to dry and kept the FUSE in the disappearing afternoon sun.

Sandi wrote:

I'm sitting in delicious sunshine, but the wind is quite chilly.

Sandi wrote:

Oh, forgot to mention Madfish replied, and that is all tied up.

Sandi wrote:

Also: realisation about Claire's number was right (it was Nat's number), and he's replied and has sent cards. Very pleased to know. Good just to get that stuff off my mind and particularly while we had reception, as we may not until Denmark now.

I eventually rise from my slumber in better moods, and we head down to the awesomely beautiful river to take the sun. Surprised to see Sandie and Adrian - this hut is starting to fill up too!

Sandi wrote:

Sandie and Adrian have arrived, and are off for a swim. They said Harry, Marg & Rod are skipping this section as Rod 's done it before, and are heading on to Peaceful Bay. .

Sandi wrote:

This is the shelter on piers, quite neat. Lovely looking river.

The first day out of town gives us opportunity to bring a few extras. Tonight we have more extras than normal as we couldn't finish everything we'd bought in Walpole yesterday, so no lucky-dip for dinner tonight!

Sandi wrote:

Very pleased at Coalmine -- changed $10 in coin for a note: so much lighter to carry. Extra food bought in Walpole: 1 litre soup (heavy), 2 apples, some peanuts, 2 oranges and butter (which we gave to the German guys).

	Distance			Time		Hours			Speed
	Section	Daily	Total	Arrive	Depart	H:M	Daily	Total	Km/h	Daily	Total
Coalmine Beach	0.0				7:52 AM	0:00			0.0
South Coast Highway	1.4	1.4	824.9	8:18 AM		0:26	0:26	232.8	3.3	3.3	3.5
Hilltop Lookout	2.5	4.0	827.4	9:00 AM		0:42	1:08	233.5	3.6	3.5	3.5
Monastery Landing Road	8.3	12.2	835.7	12:28 PM		3:28	4:36	237.0	2.4	2.7	3.5
Frankland Campsite	2.8	15.0	838.5	1:10 PM		0:42	5:18	237.7	4.0	2.8	3.5

Late in the day 3 blokes bustled into camp :( Just when I thought the hut was full enough... Oh, well. We were to end up hutting with these three guys until Peaceful Bay (not that we knew that then).

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