June 10 2021

Days km: 16.2
Total km: 16.2

Kalamunda has a nice, wee British town vibe going for it, this was reinforced by the weather. It was absolutely pissing down. During breakfast the owner of the BnB I was staying at kept remarking how it was “definitely not hiking weather”, and “the weather would be better tomorrow are you sure you don’t want to stay another night?”

I was tempted, but I had to get started. I picked up some last minute supplies at Coles then grabbed a ham sub from Subway to pack out for dinner. It was 10:45 by the time I got going, I’d procrastinated in the hopes the rain would ease off. It didn’t. But I was on the track,  finally.  I smiled despite the rain. This was finally happening.

After 30 meters I got lost…

The track starts in a wooded area but then comes out to a road and its not really apparent where to go next.  After figuring it out (it only took 5 minutes) I really got going and the track slowly meandered away from civilisation.

A few km’s in I met a northbounder who was on his last day. He was all smiles, and I wondered if that would be me in 40 odd days. Could I make it that far? Would I actually like long distance hiking or just the idea of it? Do I have the mental fortitude to walk day after day after day? Time will tell I guess.

I stopped for lunch at Hewitts Hill shelter at the 10km mark. Met a very cool couple there. He was from Falkirk of all places, just a few miles from Glasgow and she was from Paris. We chatted over lunch about Brexit and Scottish independence.

I felt good after my stop, energised, but my feet started to ache at the 12 km mark. I crossed Mundaring Weir and was passing by Mundaring Weir Hotel just before 5.

Unfortunately the pub closes at 3pm so sadly no pub food or beer was available. There was an older gentleman walking to his car who saw me looking longingly at the pub. “Sorry mate, pubs closed. Where you after some food?”
“No, I was looking for accommodation”
The words came from my aching feet, my plan was to walk another 2km’s to the Perth Hills campsite. But I was wet and tired and my feet hurt.

“That I can help you with”

So my day ended with a hot shower and a warm bed. I feel like I cheated a wee bit.

My Subway sandwich was soggy, but delicious.