Day 95 Bloomfield

Tuesday 20th July, 2021 24.0km

The grass was a little frosty

2272.4 / 2826.5km

Little bit of frost this morning on the grass. Didn't last long but definitely kept the bugs away.

The trail continues along the old wagon track firstly to a spot called Bloomfield that was the

coach changing station. I was interested in finding the teamsters grave but walked past without seeing it. The story was he went to sleep under the wagon and the wagon collapsed on top of him.

The trail through the forest

The track continues and I picked up some of the original stone pitching done on the road over the hill. I'm sure I read a sign that said the road and cutting over the hill was constructed by a chain gang. There was a wooden Chinaman according to the notes used to load gravel onto the wagons. Why Chinaman? that isn't explained. The trail then ends up at a place I think is called Elliott but referred to as Musket Flat. So called because the local first nation people dumped a whole wagon load of muskets and ammunition into a waterhole. The towns hey day was 1860's to early 1900's.

The camp area is provided in the settlement now only 4 or 5 permanents. One came and visited and we had a chat. There was a friend of the trail across the road but wasn't home when I rolled up. It looks like they are selling up so may not be around much longer.

The trail through the forest

Quiet comfortable night. Good campsite.

These signs apparently put up when money
made available from the Federal Govt .
 Best marked bit of trail so far

Some of the original stone pitching on the road.
One day a grader will move it all aside I suppose.

According to the notes this is a "Chinaman" used
as a loader probably for gravel onto wagons.

Good signage

An original marker post for the Old Coach Rd.

The camp spot - Musket Flat (Elliott)

Day 95