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We walked this one day 'end to end' hike for the third time yesterday.
On Saturday the 27th of April 2019.
(First from Bundeena to Otford on the 10th of January 2016 and second from Otford to Bundeena
on the 8th of April 2017)
It took us 8 hours to cover the total 26 kilometers of track plus 4 hours of train journey and then
some more extra walks to and from train stations.
When we left home it was still dark at dawn and when we came back home it was dark at young night.
We were outside 14 hours!
My mobile app showed I walked 37.1 kilometers yesterday.
Insane!!!
It's a bit awkwad distance to divide into two days for us.
But I'm aware some people do it.
Luckily it was cooler that day compared to two previous times which made our hike quite pleasant.
Except a few hours in the forest early part of track it was mostly an open track.
It means a spectacular view guranteed with a strong exposure from the sun.
Eddie confessed he felt finally satiated with this insane physical activity.
Yes, it was true we haven't walked much recently.
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Suze left for Melbourne for a few days so this time it was only two of us.
I packed lunch, 4 water bottles and all sorts of necessary items the night before.
We got up at around some time later 4 am, we thought we had enough time to get ready.
But we had to run to the station and when we just climbed up and reached the last step to the station
from the underground pass I saw the train already approaching.
It was an exciting moment of the beginning of our adventure.
Outside was still dark and chilly and train was almost empty except a few tradies and early workers.
I observed the day break through the train journey with interest and pleasure.
We took the 5:30am train to get on the 6:30am train to Illawara line at Town Hall.
I saw a few people waiting for the same train wearing hiking clothes and backpacks just like us at the different stations on the way.
After Town Hall, the scenery I could see from the train window became very unfamiliar.
We got off the train at Otford Station where I saw a big group of people with a guide gathered at the platform.
We wanted to avoid the big crowd so quickly climbed up the hilly road as we got out of the station.
It led us to a crossing at the end of the road and then we saw the familiar trailhead with a big sign.
Track goes parallel with the ocean on the right hand side.
Two young female hikers who looked like tourists from overseas were taking photos at the sign.
Some makeshift camping cars were parked there too.
It's around 7:30am in the morning when the sea water was not able to reflect blue hues yet under the not totally awoken sky.
Surprisingly the big group followed us sooner rather than later and I was in the middle of them in no time.
Eddie was way ahead and the bush track was narrow I couldn't shake off these people behind.
Some of them especially in front were too enthusiastic and I wasn't quicker enough.
A fork appeared and then they all stopped to wait others and reassemble.
It was a good chance to get out of this big crowd.
We confidently took a smaller path turning into right hand side.
Two middle aged guys were reading the signage and soon followed us.
But we quickened our steps and soon lost them too.
For a while we enjoyed our own solitary breathing in the fresh morning forest air as well as saltiness from the sea happily.
We walked a while.
Once we got out of forest after Burning Palms Beach and before North Era camp site we were looking for a spot
for a morning tea.
We were once again at a fork where a path looked blocked with dense shrubs at the end of it (but later we realized it's not when we closely looked) and the other open big path looked more promising.
A few steps later we bumped into familiar faces.
Quiet track was filled with on coming crowds suddenly.
I realized they were the previous big group with the guide and even I spotted the two girls from the beginning of the track.
Where did they come from?
Why were we walking the opposite directions now?
Were they circling a short walk going back to Otford?
I asked numerous unanswered questions to myself.
Eddie was quickening his steps obliviously without paying attention to these obvious clues.
I started remembering vaguley we were confused at this exact spot last time for a short time.
We found ourselves making distances away from the ocean and I realized something was quite not right.
Sudden realization hit me that those people with a guide chose a differen route at the previous fork and both them and us were heading to Bundeena.
They must have chosen a short cut.
It's only my guess.
I tried to convince Eddie but he was so stubborn we ended up all the way at the car park.
I was very upset that he didn't even consider my opinion.
From 4am till around 10am it was already long hours so I was very much anticipating
a break feeling a little tired but suddenly this unexpected turnout made me quite highly stimulated
in an adreline rush combined with anger and determination I managed to run back to the spot where
we got lost in no time.
Eddie followed me awkwardly and promptly.
When we were right back at the track we saw the enthusiastic group already long gone and two girls
were leisurely walking away from us at the distance.
It's something after 10am in the morning and the sun was already high and strong.
We settled at an open hill where we could look out the sea.
Hot coffee and croissants made me feel better.
And loosened up.
After a break we started walking and I saw the group one last time from the open hill overlooking Garie Beach where they were
crossing the beach.
They were actually walking quite quick.
We aimed to have lunch at Wattamolla but ended up at near Eagle Rock.
From Wattamolla till Bundeena the scenery was really stunning as before.
It reminded us of nemerous memories from previous walks.
We used to do a return walk from Wattamolla to Marlee Beach a lot of times.
I have noticed they put elevated steel grates along the track a lot more in this part.
Probably to protect and preserve natural eco system more or less.
At the end of the track we genuinely felt it was indeed a long walk.
Much harder part was dragging our feet walking through town to the ferry wharf
after we got out of the actual walking track.
People were fishing at the ferry wharf deck leisurely mingling with ferry passengers.
I wondered if they really caught any fish there with these noises and crowds.
I actually admired their nonchalant and carefree demeanors indeed.
Kids running around eating ice creams or chips chased by their young mums or grannies under the still
strong late sunlight.
One lady was performing serious stretching exercise for her fatigued arms and legs after the walk in the middle of line waiting for the ferry.
We arrived at Bundeena early 3 pm but had to wait for the 4pm ferry.
We crossed the sea to arrive at Cronulla where we caught a train to Town Hall.
As soon as we entered the station our train was about to leave.
We were on board quickly without thinking and later realized we didn't tap our opal cards on there.
We were anxiously trying to think what we should do all the way till Town Hall.
Finally we sorted out our silly problem before we got into North Shore line at Town Hall.
It gave us a real peace of mind afterwards.
haha
It was terribly uncomfortable travelling through for about 2 hours after the long sweaty walk.
Hot sweats smeared into your clothes and skins cooled down with cool air made me feel
unpleasant really.
It was one hell of a walk and a day indeed.