Day 36 High range

I was looking out the tent and then noticed the debris up the tree

Saturday 22nd May, 2021 23.2km

778.8 / 4320.1 km

Early start today. There was a lot of traffic movement last night. The road winds it way south between the army training range at High Range. I'm restricted to the road reserve with signs on the fences every 50 metres reminding me.

Some of the findings on the track this morning. The toilet paper was the most needed.

I eat the dust of a few convoys of army vehicles which still seems like a pack up phase.

Sometimes the trail provides and today was one of those days. In the shuffle of my car south, I haven't filled my toilet bag. This consists of soap, baby wipes and toilet paper. I was contemplating what I need to do, when I come across a part roll of toilet paper. There was also an army condiment pack from their ration pack, a long zip tie (which will come in handy), a little bungy cord and a 100 millimetre shifting spanner.

Another convoy coming and some more dust to chew on

The day is cool and overcast with some drizzle occasionally. Not a day for the Solar recharge but not a bad day for walking. Whilst there is not much to see, except for birds, I haven't seen any other animals. I cover a lot of ground quickly and arrive at Fanning River just after lunch. There is no water between here and Mingela so I stop for the day and will tackle that tomorrow. I set up camp in the river bed after checking the weather forecast and have a nice long rest.

More of the same tomorrow.

The view. These signs are on both sides of the road every 50 metres.

Day 35 Dotswood Rd

 Day 35 Friday 21st May, 2021 5km

755.6 / 4343.3km

On the road again

Mal made me a smashed avocado on toast breakfast and kindly loaned me his car. I finally get to see the new boots sent from Wildearth. The sole is glued on the same as the boots that failed but hopefully much better. I now have to go to the post office to send both boots back plus I will need to send a parcel back to Fred with the thongs I wore on the plane. I also need to buy gas as you can't fly with it and pick up milk. Just because I have the car.

Eating a bit of dust from the army movements

Mal and Mary then drive the nearly 100k back up Hervey Range Road to drop me off and start the walk again. The army is up here in abundance playing with all their toys but it looks like it's the tail end of the exercise. When we pull over to drop me off, a Bushmaster pulls in behind us and a head pops out a hole in the top to see if we had broken down. Nope! Just a mad man walking.

Goodbyes over, it's back to the plod down the road.

Not far today to get to Keelbottom Creek, which is still running. I share the creek bed with a couple of local campers with their camper trailer setups. I might see a few more as it's the weekend coming up.

Keelbottom Creek

Admiring the new boots

Chicken curry but I've added toasted almonds to the menu

Days 29 to 34 - Resupply / relocation of car

Saturday 15th May, 2021

Waited for Mal at an old gravel quarry. I only moved about 2 kilometres from where I camped. He picked me up about 10.30 am and then took me back to his place. We got my car out and I went shopping see what. I could get for the next leg, like gas and dehydrated food. I have worked out a different plan and menu so I can carry at least 10 days food. The drops will be at accomodation centres or post offices.

Sunday 17th May, 2021

It was much the same with me visiting more camping shops trying to get the dehydrated food that the plan requires. Mal is looking after me with a bed and food etc so I haven't had to worry about that. I had a look around Townsville and spent some time on The Strand.

Monday 18th May, 2021

Final shop and waiting to see if the 2nd pair of boots get delivered and as no new boots arrived I set off to drop the food boxes. First stop was Ravenswood. Looks like the dam will stay up and it is very iffy on whether I will get across. The alternative is the Bruce highway which is at least 90 kilometres from Ravenswood. I would then probably catch a bus to Collinsville. I slept the night in the car at the comfort stop in Home Hill. Free camp plus hot showers.

Tuesday 19th May, 2021

I drove to Collinsville trying to find someone willing to hold the box and is central to town. I do have to shop for cereal and bread type stuff (wraps) to fill the food bag. Belinda has ordered some freeze dried chicken and vegies from Sea to Summit in Perth and will send to post office in Collinsville. Next stop was Nebo where the store/post office have agreed to hold a box. Belinda will send the freeze dried food here too. I drove down to Rockhampton and stayed at a Lions run camp in Bouldercome for $2.

Wednesday 20th May, 2021

Woke up to find a lady setting up a coffee van just outside the camp area. Good start. I had to travel back into Rockhampton to do a bit of shopping. The Kabra hotel was willing to look after a box as long as it was in a plastic tub due to mice. Bought 3 tubs as I expect every one south of here will be the same. The next stop was Callide Tourist Village . They are a little of trail but I plan a 2 day stopover here. Last spot was Mungungo Pub. On trail and happy to help. Hope the wife of the publican is well when I get there as she is the cook. When she's crook there's no cook.

Then it was a big drive to Hervey Bay where I arrived at Belindas Dad's place about 6.20pm . He cooked a marvellous dinner of marinated ribs and veggies. Full as a goog.

Thursday 21st May, 2021

Bacon and egg breakfast and I'm now fuller than a goog. I had to sort out the car after living in it for a couple of days. Repacking the pack and getting it already to get on a flight back to Townsville. I've managed to lose my cover for the sleeping bag but it looks like I've managed to not lose anything else. Again Mal and Mary have offered to pick me up and put me up for the night. Fred (Belindas Dad) for putting me up and feeding me. Trevor and Debbie in Mossman Peter Brown in Mount Molloy and Helen in Ewan.

I couldn't do it without their generosity 

Day 28 - Laroona Ewan Rd

Friday 14th May, 2021 18.4km

671.1 / 4427.8 km

I had 2 more days to get to Hervey Range Road and get a lift from there into Townsville. Belinda had a few discussions with WildEarth who have agreed to replace the boots at no cost and have expressed post a pair to Mal in Townsville. Found out later it was the wrong pair so they have sent out the second pair but sent them snail mail. The correct boots certainly wont be there Friday so it looks like I will be off track for at least 7 days.

The plan was for a break anyway with a shuffle of the car from Townsville down to Dundowran (Fred's place) and the next break being down Biggenden way although there may be another inbetween when Belinda and Isabelle come across on the next school holidays.

I will rearrange the food drops as now there will be up to 10 days between drops. I'll also have to readjust the diet.

The walk out of Helen's is through Zig Zag station and then once I reach the main road it is 40 kilometres of bitumen to Hervey Range Road. The plan was for me to get there and Mal will pick me up on Saturday Morning.

Didn't go to plan (what has?) as the bitumen and the heat has made the heels on the boots let go. Not as bad as the front as they just drag but annoying to walk all the same. Made 18 kilomtres today to Spinifex creek and decided to sit and wait for Mal on Saturday to pick me up. I found a fresh puddle an camped for the night. Finished my first book on the Kindle this afternoon and had a couple of spoonfuls of peanut butter for dinner. Not happy and hope the walk begins to get better. A 7 day stop is not going to help... or maybe it will. As I have got older it takes longer to recover so maybe I will sort out some stuff and not lose the conditioning that is taking soooo long to come.

The heel let go

Not much left holding it together

My own fresh water hole

Could I ??

Butterflies on a Xanthorea stick

Minor surgery on calve

Spear grass tip removed

Campsite

Day 28

Day 27 - Helen's Place

Long day planned

Thursday 13th May, 2021 22.8km

652.7 / 4446.2 km

On my way to Helen's place. Helen is a former BNT track co-ordinator and now provides advice and knowledge on the track around her with a helping hand and accomodation if required.

As usual I got out of bed early as I had about 18 kilometres to get to Helen's place (Ewan), tied up the boots and headed on down the road.

The view in the hills from a 4 wheeler

About an hour and half in I heard the put-put putting of a 4 wheeler coming down the road. A station hand from Kangaroo Hills pulls up and says do you want a lift to the boundary mate. Quick think and "yeh" I say. I should have asked at first how far the boundary was but after 25 minutes in the 4 wheeler I did say "Where is the boundary?". "Just this side of Oaky Creek" he says. So after 15 kilometres of sitting on my arse he stops at the gate and I've only got about 3 kilometres to go for the day and it's 9.30am.

Oakey Creek

The creek beckons and I sit down for some breakfast and boil the billy for tea. I promptly lay down in the warm sun and had a sleep for an hour then decide to actually get up and move along.

Breakfast at Oakey Creek

Lucky I have big feet

The paracord stopping the soles from dropping and me from tripping 

There is a short walk into the old area of Ewan and Helen's place is a couple of hundred metres down Shrimp Battery Road . I am greeted by a fizzy drink (yeeehah), probably didn't deserve it I've only walked about 6 kilometres total today. Then there is a good sitdown with a coffee, lamington and some gossip.

Helen provides a little room for accomodation with toilet, shower and kitchenette and also cooked me a spaghetti bog for dinner with a couple of beers thrown in. I also found a half dozen pepsi in the fridge in the assigned quarters. Generous lady with a good knowledge of the history in the area. I must admit I was talked out by the end.

In the afternoon Helen took me for a tour through the old Shrimp Battery site where there is some real old working machinery as well as some more modern quarters as the place was worked years later. It would be a shame to see these places fall further into disrepair, and whilst Helen keeps things as best she can my worry is, when a lady like her disappears from the area, who will take up the mantle.

Anyone who does the track in the area should at least take the time to walk down (after making sure she is there of course) and talk to Helen, even if it's only for a short while. I am sure she will appreciate the company and conversation.

So it was with a full belly and a couple of sugary soft drinks I sank into slumber in a bed.

Helen's dog "Kip"

The battery

The stampers

Tools Helen has collected

Slowly decaying

The guest rooms

Helen's Castle

Day 26 Kangaroo Hills

Where I have come from

Wednesday 12th May, 2021 25.2km

629.9 / 4469km

A continuing saga of the boots. Up nice and early as usual and ready to go before 7. Trying to get a good couple of hours in and breakfast normally at 9am.

For a short while we shared a path

The other boot sole is now peeling off. To give you an idea these boots are $400 worth and I'm wearing boots due to the robustness compared to trail runner type shoes. This would be my 4th pair of Italian brand Scarpas. I have worn different styles of this brand over the years including in New Guinea on the Bibbulmun, Heysen, Cape to Cape etc. I don't like the shoe type footwear but on this trip tried these boots which are a lighter version of boot. The problem seems to be the glue holding the sole and I have been generally repairing or band aiding them since Irvinebank. The fact that they have now let go right up to the toe has made walking in them difficult.

Coming down into Douglas Creek 

My goal today was to get to Kangaroo Hills Station and see if I can get help on t he repair. I am in contact with Belinda (via satelite sms) and she has contacted Wildearth, the place I purchased them from.

Just before midday as I was about 3 kilometres out from the homestead, Melissa (Kangaroo HIills) rides up on her quad bike and we have a chat. She offers to give a lift across Douglas Creek if I wait till she gets back.

Douglas Creek

I didn't wait but stripped off and had a good wash down and swim. It was very refreshing. When Melissa returned we looked at the boots and she went up to the workshop and found some glue, stopped at the homestead and bought back a couple of mandarins.

More repair

I thought this glue might do the trick as it was very tacky, but doing it beside the creek in the sand may not have been ideal. I managed to get it all together and finished the mandarin then hoiked on the pack and set off south. By late afternoon the right sole had come away. So it was back to the para cord to hold it on so I didn't trip up. Found a lovely creek for the night camp and sent messages back and forth with Belinda about getting a replacement pair.

Tomorrow I get to Ewan and Helen's place and that puts me two days from Hervey Range Road and possibly Townsville.

The mandarin was sweet and juicy

Day 26

Day 25 Camel Creek

Tuesday 11th May, 2021 23km

604.7 / 4494.2 km

Today was a day of ups and downs. Another warm night. Another long walk needed.

I left in early morning fog and the overcast sky stayed around till mid morning. The road is a white clay rock mix and in the sun, it is hot to walk along.

The initial walk was good and when I was looking for water I got excited to find a clean puddle. The creeks along here are a courser sand which makes them not as muddy. Whilst the water wasn't flowing, to find a deep clean puddle a cow hasn't shat beside is a blessing. I poured all my water out and refilled from the puddle.

A clean puddle

I passed into Camel Creek Station and the country is changing again to a more lusher look. Then I got to Camel Creek itself, which is still flowing and I was able to spend some time washing my shirt and hat. Also giving myself a bit of a going over as well.

The wite road

My aim was to do another 14 kilometres after Camel Creek but the sole on my right boot has come adrift. Just from the ball of the foot forward but it makes walking extremely difficult. I don't want to rip it off as then I will be walking in the vibram sole and once I scuff that up the boots are done. I have patched a repair and I hope to get to Harvey's range road and get a lift into Townsville. That's 4 days away. The left boot looks like letting go as well.

After I patched I walked a couple of kilometres, when a Ute pulls up and a lady asks all the usual questions about where from where to. Then she says do you want some Red Rooster. I said "Bloody oath". And she gives me a pack that had a little chicken and lettuce roll and some potato and gravy, onion rings and chips (I threw the chips). It was all cold as she had bought it in Charters Towers. The roll was very yummy and I heated up the potato and gravy which went down well. She also had a chicken double cheese burger which I would have taken but she didnt offer that.

After I found my camp spot she returned on her way to her place (Mt Fox) and gave me a orange and apple. All in all a good finish to the day.

Camel Creek

She also said the people at Camel Creek said there had been shooters over the last couple days running around (uninvited of course). So hopefully they can tell bright orange tent in the dark from a kangaroo or a pig.

Sole giving way

Reheating Potato and Gravy