Eventually we reached Junction Rock which was the junction of three tracks (one of the being blocked by the landslide). It was good to be past the downhill section and the map showed only one steep bit. it is often the case that the flat sections go on longer than you expect and it was a welcome relief to reach the campsite at Acacia Flat. Perhaps due to the weather we found the campsite empty and we were able to pick out the best campsite. I am pretty fussy and I always think that there might just be a better option around the next corner, so I had to look everywhere before choosing.
The views are pretty stunning at the start of the walk, but the highlight for is the campsite. Stunning Blue gums tower above you, straight as an arrow, tall and majestic against the sky. They really are amazing trees and it is no wonder that they needed protecting from logging as they would have made terrific timber. It was really quite enjoyable to set up camp at a leisurely pace, cook tea and enjoy each others company. We slept in the tent as it had rained during the day and sure enough it rained through the night. It is not a bad tent by mountain designs, with good ventilation and plenty of room for gear in the 2 vestibules. It doesn't have good access in wet weather though and would be very hard to cook in when the weather turned really ugly. Once you are in though it is pretty snug and would handle a fair bit thrown at it.After a nights sleep (not necessarily good as I never sleep well on the thin mat) it was time to assess the options. Millie's feet were pretty sore, so it was best to get out by the quickest route and then get the car if necessary by finishing the rest of the walk on my own after dumping the packs. The quickest way out was up Perry's lookdown, fairly steep, but shorter and nearer than the other options. It suited me as it meant going through the rest of the blue gum forest along the way.
The walk out was pretty hard, although I surprised myself in feeling fitter than I thought I was. I did feel the extra weight that I was carrying that had grown as the walk progressed in order to make Millie's job a little easier. Probably only fair for me taking her there in the first place. It was good to get to the top and the views along the way were fantastic. Always seem to be better than when you drive there. I was able to get a lift to miss the road bash and then walked and ran the last section from Pulpit rock to Govett's, a good little walk in its own right that I don't think I have done before.
I was hoping to finish it off with something at the Wattle Cafe in Blackheath, something of a tradition, but unfortunately it was closed. I had the best ever steak sandwich there on my way back to Bourke after being in India (it might have been a craving from a meat deprived diet!).
So, did Millie enjoy it? Yes, despite the pain. Will Millie do it again? Yes, she says she will. Perhaps a bit of an easier one next time.
