Days 168 and 169 Red Hill Farm

Mooving the cows

 NSW 26 & 27 (168,169) Monday 8th to Tuesday 9th November, 2021

Looking at the BOM weather forecasts I decided to see if I could stay for 2 more nights. With 50mm dropping last night and a further 80mm predicted for today I thought it best to hold.

As it turned out the rain moved away by about 1pm with only a couple of millimetres falling here. To rub salt in the following day was fine but another storm front was coming. But I had committed to two more nights and Louise and Bill had agreed.

Looking down on the farm

To pay my way I made myself as useful as I could. First chore was to drive some cattle into the next paddock. The farm was registered as organic and the system of grazing they use is rotational. Four paddocks are set up around a central water point and cattle are pushed from one to the other on a 3-5 day rotation. Every so often the paddocks are mowed and mulched to promote growth and control weeds.

Clearing the fence line

I had the easy job of sitting as a passenger and opening gates. After this we headed out to the forested paddocks where trees had burnt in the last bushfire and dropped on the fences. Bill drove the tractor I drove the farm car and he pushed some timber off the fence line with the tractor whilst I freed up the wires that had been buried in the rubble. A lot more work to be done here.

Strap

An afternoon nap on the back verandah didn't endear me to the workers but I did wake up with enough energy to help carry a ladder. Bill did enjoy someone opening and closing gates for him. He is in his 70's and being an old Bronco bull rider with knee replacements and old horse injuries like fractured pelvis getting off and on a tractor can get to be a chore after the third or fourth time. We both managed to pick up leeches out in the scrub.

Aspley Falls

The following day we went to town to pick up a fridge for the farmstead cottage. It's an hour drive to Walcha and we stopped by Aspley Falls which was in full roar after the rain. Bill also took me to see a reporter for the local community paper, The Advocate. She had a chat with me. Don't know if I said anything interesting so will wait and see what they made of my ramblings.

There are some good cafes in Walcha. One had some home made goods but I can't remember the name. I did find Pepsi Max in the Goodman. Back at the farm I restrung the whipper snippers and did a bit of that. I don't think Bill is a fan of whipper snippers and might not have appreciated the effort I made as now Louise might expect more. I did as much around the homestead as I could.

Walcha

They were both getting ready for overnight away and I did some vacuuming before leaving. Louise and Bill are warm and welcoming people that fed and looked after me. I couldn't do enough in return.

Walcha

Walcha

Day 167 Red Hill

 NSW Day 25 (167) Sunday 7th November, 2021 27.7km (12.5 walking)

3269.2 / 1829.7km

Kundering Brook last breakfast

A little bit of rain and some animals scratching around last night. The plan was to get up on the range and as far down the road as I could. There is some big rain predicted over the next three days and Mushgang gave me the number of Louise at Red Hill Organics. Belinda has made contact and they are willing to put me up.

I'm a bit of an introvert and I am always nervous with meeting people. But first I have to get to the top of the range.

Coming out of the valley

I had about 9 kilometres to go to the Youdales Campsite, or the turn off at least and I plants have breakfast.

Some of the steepest climbs out of the creek seem to be in this section. I get to the intersection and have my breakfast, I will be sad to leave the brook.

I then start the climb out and for some reason this climb buggers me. I had to take a few breaks to make it the top.

Another view

The weather is predicted to turn and today storms are expected and 50mm of rain is predicted. I make contact with Louise as I go past Cedar Creek and she offers to come pick me up. The next 3 days are predicted to have over 130mm of rain. Now it's mainly road but it is still uncomfortable with that amount of rain.

Me just before the top

I keep walking until Louise and Bill roll up. We have a chat and then it's a quick drive back. Not really, Bill is driving, he does not drive fast. Louise reminds me of Belinda who loves to drive her car. She only likes manuals so she can get the feel of driving. Also she's fast.

Louise and Bill have about 1300 acres of lease and freehold they run cattle on. They also have two station stay places. Ones an old house that can sleep up to 10 and the other is the old shearer quarters. Both are charged at $50 per person. Beautiful countryside about an hour from Walcha.

Red Hill farm

I'm given a room in their house and they cook me a lovely dinner. Hot showers are underrated. That night the farm had 50mm of rain and Walcha had up to 70mm.

The sound of torrential rain in the comfort of a warm bed is one of the best sounds you can fall asleep to. As I drift off I'm thinking about how long to prop here given the weather reports.

Day 166 Middle Hut

The trail and the creek are sometimes the same

NSW Day 24 Saturday 6th November, 2021 19.4km

3241.5 / 1857.4 km

Today is a repeat of yesterday times many. The track down by the river is overgrown and some of the creek crossings are hairy as I try to avoid taking my boots off.

I've got to go back down

About the third crossing coming out of the creek I spy a red belly black in the grass. This one moved out of the way fairly quick but it puts me on alert and over the course of the day I spy two more. They must hunt along the brook. I keep calling it a creek but it's name is Kunderang Brook.

Breakfast is always a beautiful spot

I make a blue early on when the trail intersects another trail. The notes just mention the intersection then to continue to follow the creek. I was halfway up a hill when I felt something was wrong. It's not like the track doesn't climb away from the creek going over spurs etc. I went the 800 or so metres back to the creek but there is no other track. I just about climbed back up but decided to push through the scrub beside the creek for a look. About 100 metres on the brook trail reappears beside the creek. The trick would be to walk up in the actual creek around the thick scrub.

A trail sign

Around midday I come across Middle Hut. I decided not to stick around and try and move as far up the track as possible. I'm looking for a spot on a spur above the creek line with a little cover of grass not the jungle beside the creek or the tussocks of grass on most of the old paddocks.

The weather is predicted to turn again with heavy rain predicted. Not a time to be left with a lot of creek crossings. If I get far enough I can climb out of the valley tomorrow morning. 50 to 60 mm of rain predicted tomorrow.

The trail follows the brook but this is old grazing country

So the walk around the creek and those long steep climbs and descents over spurs. In the end I find the perfect spot just as a few showers pass over. It's been a long tiring day being on alert for snakes and the statistics say that I've climbed 1053 metres and descended 930. No wonder the legs are tired.

The overgrowth on the creek

Some growth in the waters of this section

Can't seem to get tired of the creek

Day 165 Left Hand Hut

 NSW Day 23 (165) Friday 5th November, 2021 22.3km

After the first crossing looking back at the TSR Campsite

3222.1 / 1876.8km

Up before first light as I'm supposing it's going to be a long day. I count 7 river crossings and I assume it will be boots off at all of them.

Had a few spots of rain last night but the tent fly is dry this morning. I arrived at the river crossing just with enough light to see what I was doing. A couple of cows ran across just as I got there and that gave me a good idea of the line.

River gravel and the wheel tracks to follow

So off I go. The depth is about mid shin. The rocks are a little harsh on my feet but it's OK.

Much wider crossings. Typically 10 to 15 minutes
doing the stufffor the crossing. 7 crossings nearly
1.5 extra added to the days walk.

One down and the day begins. I notice a lot of people driving around with canoes and kayaks. The big pools in the river would be ideal for them and the fisher folk.

The trail wanders along a 4wd track and crosses the river when required. I.e. the cliffs are impassable. I have no drama at any of the crossings but one where the river had split into three channels, I crossed two and put on my boots only to discover there was a third. It was too deep to chance so boots off again.

It was drizzling all morning and it wasn't until after 10 till I found a dry spot for breakfast. I'm lucky something has been through this section to clear it a bit. I don't put on my gators so if I have to push through weed as I did later the socks and legs take a beating. I'm wearing shorts.

The crossings are mainly ok as cars do them regularly. That is until Peach Crossing. The book tells

Boots off ready to go

you to use Peach Crossing I suppose so you don't go near a residence. Well the National trail people seem to be the only ones doing it and a vehicle hasn't crossed here for a long long time. The road down to the river has a locked gate and is in disrepair. That means the crossing is a bit more tricky. No obvious line where vehicles cross and the line I took was much deeper in spots. Mid thigh. You can't see the exit from the river until you are halfway across. Made it ok but this crossing needs some work.

Should have bought that fishing rod

I think there are only two more crossings after that both fairly simple. I nearly missed the climb from the river having walked past the BNT markers. I just noticed a track climbing and walked back 50 metres looking at the trees. The markers are there but after walking the river track for so long it's easy to daydream.

So then it's a long slog out of the river valley and around to Kunderang Brook Valley. This track has not been cleared and in some parts it is beginning to disappear under the weeds. I stopped to put on my gators as I was starting to get seeds in my socks. The Brook is easier to cross than the river and no boot removal is required. I still manage to get a stinging nettle across my knee.

Looking down the track to Peaches crossing
at a homestead

My plan was to get as far as possible in case heavy rain caused trouble. In the end it took most of the day to get to Left Hand Hut. A New South Wales National Parks(NSWNPWS) hut. It's in pretty good nick and I sweep out some mouse droppings so the pack will be hung with all food in it. I did set up the tent inner inside to give me but protection. It rained pretty heavy this afternoon. Only for about 10 minutes but I'm still dry. I found a fresh mouse dropping on my cereal packet since I put it on the table so I expect

Last crossing of the river

there's at least one. Hope to get a good sleep. Body battery gets depleted after a couple of long days and bad sleeps. The extra warmth of the valley disappears pretty quickly as the sun goes down. Time to snuggle down in my sleeping bag.

Looking up the Kuderang Brook Valley

The trail is a little overgrown

Left Hand Hut

My set up. I put all food in the backpack and hung it.

Day 164 Macleay River

The view in the gully

 NSW Day 22 (164) Thursday 4th November, 2021 19.8km

3199.8 / 1899.1km

Today was supposed to be a fairly simple day. As I said I look at the book every night but without it I missed the elevation profile for the day.

The track has been bladed through the rocky creeks

George's Creek is flowing fairly well and I have to finesse my way across on many crossings to keep the boots from going under. Some are easy where a dozer or something has pushed through the creek and pushed the rocks to one side and I can walk across at a minimum depth. Others I have to find an alternative or carry some rocks out and drop them in the deep holes. Except for one crossing this is quicker than the 10 minute turnaround when taking my boots off.

Typical crossing on George's Creek

So the day starts on the track beside the river which is fairly flat or going down hill with the creek. That is until I hit Mountain View homestead. Obviously the next couple of properties haven't allowed permission as you have to climb a couple of hundred metres in height to the main road.

That little exercise in the heat of the day made the legs wobble by the time I got to the top.

Then it's an 11 kilometre walk down the main road losing all that height and more. But it's not just all down hill. Throw a few steep sharp exits from gullies just to make the legs groan.

No-one offered to carry my pack

It was a pleasure to finally see the Junction of George's Creek and Macleay River. There are toilets and bins at the TSR and some good grassed areas.

I dropped the tent and went down to the river to checkout the first crossing I'll have to do in the morning. A car went across as I was there and the water was just above mid wheel. It means I have to remove my boots on these crossings. Much deeper and much wider than the creek.

The view back down to the homestead.
I'm a third of the way up.

I felt ok after a washdown and cooked a Kransky sausage to go with my noodles. Rain is predicted. I'm keeping an eye on it as if it's heavy up the hills more water will come down. I'm not sure I want to get stuck up a river for a time. Looking at the map I have to cross the river at least 7 times before heading up a Brook. I'll get up early to see the water levels then a whole day planned to get the river out of the way. Rain is predicted for the next 5 days.

Scene down the valley. The road can be seen snaking down.

The view from my campsite. Georges Creek (foreground)
meets Macleay River which is coming down centre frame

Day 163 George's Creek

View from the lookout

 NSW Day 21 (162) Wednesday 3rd November, 2021 21.7km

3180 / 1918.9km

Without a book for this section which is in the lost mail box it is hard to quickly look at what's coming next. I do have a pdf file on the phone but it's not the same. I normally look at the book every night and have a fair idea of the following couple of days. I hope they find the box as book 9 is in there as well.

The road through the forest

I climbed up from the creek to a lookout where I had fairly good signal so I was able to send photos and notes home.

Then it is a long walk through the forest and a long slow drop down into the valley to the creek.

More forest

Only saw two motorcycles today, not much to report. I had a sleep and on the track down I let loose a few tuneless songs. One problem at the moment is the March flies. Stop for any length of time and they come. As it's warm I am wearing shorts and this provides easy access. When I'm wearing long pants I can snooze as I hide my hands in my armpits and drop my hat over my face. They sometimes are able to get me through my shirt but I just make it loose on the exposed side.

and more forest

The differences in temperature from up top I think at 1300 metres above sea level and down in the valley is at least 5 degrees but today it seemed more. It's also a lot more humid and I saturate my shirt very quickly without a breeze to help dry out.

I stop on a flat spot beside Georges Creek. Having a look at the flow some of the crossings may be a little tricky if I plan to leave my boots on.

Something to worry about tomorrow

going down there

the track down

Camped beside the first flowing creek