Lake Seppings (Tjuirtgellong)

 Monday 21 September – 182022

This morning I tackled the freezing water of Middleton Beach again, this time in a spring suit rather than togs. I also discovered there were warm showers in the surf club bathrooms. I took a thermos of hot water to drink straight after my swim. Between these things I managed to be able to get warm enough to drive myself home. In the meantime, Drew went for a long run, which I would very much have preferred to be able to do.

Today’s adventure was to explore Lake Seppings (Tjuirtgellong). This is a freshwater lake just behind Middleton Beach with an amazing quantity of water birds – thousands of them! It also is the home of Long-necked Tortoises – I didn’t get to see any of those, and King Skinks – saw lots of those. The water looks beautifully clean, probably because the reeds have been allowed to remain in place all the way around. I saw a variety of reptiles and insects, as well as some new to me flowers.  Lake Seppings/Tjuirtgellong

This evening we had an early dinner from an African takeaway – Fried Rice with Chicken Legs, Ghana Meat Pie and a Coconut Donut. Really enjoyed it! Moda Africa

Bibbulmun Track Day 17 - Collie to Yabberup Campsite

 Friday 11 September

https://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/

Collie Section of Bibbulmun Track

This morning we got up at 5:30am and we were away at just after 6:30am. Before we even got to the Collie Visitor Centre I hurt a muscle in my left calf that has very much slowed my walking speed today. After we rejoined the main Bibbulmun Track we had some town bush (lots of weeds and rubbish). We then came to Collie River which was still with beautiful reflections. 

Collie River

I saw a few new to me wildflowers in today’s hike. Today was a warm day with no cloud cover. Much of the day was in strong sunlight, however near Mungalup Dam there was some shade and a light breeze, making more pleasant walking conditions in this section. 

Mungalup Dam

Today we saw a shingle back. We also saw Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos, budgerigars and ducks. The landscape had a lot more exposed ground than previous sections. There were also a lot more insects today, possibly as it was warmer. 

We arrived at Yabberup Campsite just after 2pm and were joined by another couple about 2:30pm. I spent a lot of time massaging my calf in hopes of significant improvement overnight. Three other south bound End-to-Enders in camp, one tenting and the rest of us in the shelter overnight.

Statistics (Collie to Yabberup)

Distance                      20.07km

Time                            6h 23m

Ascent                         384m

Descent                       298m

Bibbulmun Track Day 15 - Possum Springs Campsite to Yourdamung and Harris Dam Campsites

 Tuesday 8 September

https://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/

Dwellingup Section of Bibbulmun Hike

This morning we were up at 5:15am and away before 6:30am. Today’s walk was through a great variety of vegetation - open forest, green tunnels, swampy patches and slippery patches. We saw some wildflowers we had not seen for many days, as well as some that we had not previously seen. The number of fungi has also increased. I also heard a birdsong that I have not previously heard. So much biodiversity today - the most we have had in any section. We saw our first snake on this hike today - I did not see it on the track but moving rapidly away from the track through the bush. It was all black, two metres plus in length and about five centimetres in diameter. Glad it was happy to leave the track for us. We encountered a very happy north bound hiker who told us we were just about to enter a very pretty section - she was right. Fields of pink and magenta wildflowers just before Yourdamung Campsite were beautiful. We arrived at Yourdamung Campsite just before midday and stopped for lunch. This was one of our favourite sections on the hike thus far.

Stunning!

This afternoon’s hike was through open forest predominantly. We saw, and heard, at least ten Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos as well as a few Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos. The afternoon was sunny and hot but with a cool breeze. 

We arrived at Harris Dam Campsite about 4:30pm. There were three other people in camp, including two End-to-Enders heading north. Everybody slept in the shelter.

Statistics (Possum Springs to Yourdamung)

Distance                      19.80km

Time                            4h 56m

Ascent                         336m

Descent                       293m

Statistics (Yourdamung to Harris Dam)

Distance                      14.57km

Time                            3h 34m

Ascent                         205m

Descent                       212m