Ready to tackle NSW after Borders open

The Bluff

 Thursday 14th October, 2021

I woke up this morning feeling a little nervous. Today was the day I head into NSW and once I make the crossing any return is a long road.

On the drive towards the border I was still mulling it over and gave Belinda a call. I said fond farewells to Belinda and Isabelle as I now won't see them until December ? and then took the plunge.

It's strange thinking this way. I made my first drive across the country from Townsville to Perth in 1977 and I was nervous for a whole load of different reasons on that trip but now, many years land after 20 or so country crossings later this is the first time I've felt Australia divided.

The day involved driving down to Glen Innes and then finding a spot near the trail to drop a resupply bucket. The walk to Ebor will take between 14 to 17 days and I don't have the capacity in the pack to carry enough supplies. I could probably do it with the Hyperlite pack but as the walk in the NT showed it is not comfortable at all above the 14 kg mark. I think with 10 days on board and water I will be pushing 19 kg at the start, dropping about 800 grams a day as I chew through the food.

Morning Tenterfield

So bucket hidden I drive back to Tenterfield to stay with a trail coordinator for the night. If the bucket gets raided by humans, animals or insects I will have a 36 kilometre walk into Glen Innes.

Horses backed up to the tree out of the rain

There is a weather front moving through the area and it's producing thunderstorms but supposed to clear in the morning. I have decided to not go all the way back to the border as it is just road walking, but to get dropped off at Bald Rock National Park which is about 20 kilometres south off the trail. Hopefully I get a chance with the weather to look around.

The following day I will walk North back to the trail. I have called this plan NSW 1...

My car's home until I can get back, probably 
from Aberdeen

Section co-ordinator, Michael's house near Tenterfield