Port William – Big Bungaree – Christmas Village, 17.4 km

Monday, February 11: Rain overnight; during the day a couple of very light showers; in the afternoon sun but a little colder.

GPS Tour

Little Bungaree

Up at about 6:30 and the ladies were pretending to snooze. I set about breakfast and then the packing and am around 19 kg with the water. Farewelled by the wardens and made my way to Big Bungaree. The track was in surprisingly good condition, with the mud not so slippery and quite firm in most places. There were really only two places at the beginning and at the end of the track where the mud was treacherous.

At Bungaree at 11:00 was met by the American guy the warden had warned me about. He seemed quite reasonable, if only a little naïve about what he should be carrying on a tramp (he had all his stuff with him). Studied biology and wanted to do a Master’s in genetics, so we discussed Darwin for a bit. He had hit on the genetic diversity of null for the banana (at least I can feel confirmed that someone else had come to the same conclusion). In the meantime it rained and then I decided to jump for it, as Christmas was six hours down the track.

The first part of the track to Murray Beach was pretty much ups and downs, and in worse condition than the track to Bungaree. Surprised a trio of hikers (and spooked one guy entirely) on my descent to Murray Beach. Up till now the pace had been very slow and I was going through water at a significant rate. Walking along the beach was much faster, as was the track after the bridge – board-walked and at a reasonable incline. However after just over an hour of this the fun ceased and the ups and downs returned, although not nearly as bad as the beginning of the track. I estimated that, at my par-for-the-course pace, I would need another two hours. There was a bit of time checking every now and then because I knew that the batteries in the GPS would expire soon; and expire they did, although not too much of the track will have been lost.

The last part of the track was the best, with board walks appearing again and pretty much on the dot of 4:30 Christmas Village Hut was signposted. I seem to have caught up with the Australian group so I am now sharing with Ross (Kiwi), Linda (Aussie) and Bernhard (German) and am the youngest of the bunch.

Had to wash the trousers in addition to the sox and hankie today, as there were one or two slips both up- and downhill, and the boots also needed to be watered. Plenty of sandflies around here but the DEET seems to be doing a good job. Then I got out my ipod to see if I could find any news and weather – showers overnight, returning tomorrow evening, so that machine has made its mark (Radio New Zealand, FM 101). Will see how long this lasts.

Took the spot tracker out for its report. Have to change the batteries, but now I think I am on top of the battery problem. Had instant noodles again for dinner and am now going through the prunes I forgot for lunch while everyone else has packed in for the evening (8:00).