Saturday 11th of June
Apollo Bay - Bimbipark - Cape Otway - hiking
After last evenings telephone call with Orb Shuttle Service, I left may backpack at the YHA early in the next morning, hoping they will pick it up and later in the evening me at Blanket Bay, as discussed on the phone. I headed out walking nervously only with my tiny day-pack and a litre of water, some biscuits and fruits.
I had to leave the village on the main road and hit the beach at Marengo. Cool weather, some wind, low tide, perfect hiking conditions, good, I liked it. The first 7 sandy beaches where really nice for walking. Heading inland at Elliot River, passing one night camp was fun. In the eucalyptus forest the ground was very muddy, hard to walk. Suddenly a slow motion on the track: a koala bear is slowly strolling along the path, I could take some nice portrait photos. Later I passed a bush wallaby and I could always hear a lot of birds, but I did not see any in the dense forest vegetation.
I passed the American couple, I had met at the hostel in Apollo Bay, they where heavily packed, she only with naked feet in leather sandals, sliding in the mud. Later I passed one other couple and we did help each other with chatting through the sludge.
Walking down to Blanket Beach was a little easier and I made it to the discussed pick-up point a little earlier. After a few minutes Peter arrived and picked me up. On the road to Bimbipark was a short way. I looked at the cabin offered to me, single for a good value, that was good. the public kitchen had no atmosphere, but I managed to cook something and did it with good appetite, I was hungry.
