Where's Ryan?

Old Coach Road

Milanesia Beach

Lion Headland and Milanesia Beach

Ryans Den. Decent night's sleep at Johanna, up at 6:40 am and on the trail at 8 am sharp - I'm getting quicker each day. I read my book again in bed from about 8 pm before falling asleep. The walk today was similar to yesterday except for the final 1/4 or so - much tougher with lots of steep ascents and descents. A foretaste of tomorrow! Initially walked along a gravel road through farmland - it was a really nice change from the forests, coastal cliffs and beaches. This walk certainly has plenty of variety. Then it was down to Milanesia beach - once again no problems getting along it. Heading up from the beach, the sides of the path were infested with blackberry bushes, laden with ripe fruit, so I well and truly made the most of it - just brilliant. In spite of the extra calories, I started getting some low-blood-sugar shakiness towards the end of the walk - an extra muesli bar didn't seem to help either.

The seas below this campsite are massive and intimidating, the winds are strong.

I got here at 12:30 pm, found a concrete-hard tent site then cooked 2 x 2-minute noodles for lunch. Have felt slowly better since.

Thankfully, the evolutionary process has enabled us humans to work out how to use tools when our limbs aren't suitable. I was able to put up my tent by using a large piece of wood as a hammer to drive in the tent pegs. Swearing at it seemed to help too.

My feet were sore again for the last 90 minutes today - it'll be a challenge tomorrow.

I saw wallabies and a juvenile grey kangaroo and a 60 cm-long tiger snake along the way.

View to Cape Volney from Ryans Den campsite

This area feels more remote than anywhere else so far, even though farmland is visible inland. The sea is green and blue and covered with whitecaps - all the way back to Cape Otway. The sun is coming out now but it's still cool.

Currently, I'm thinking I could try Wreck Beach tomorrow - because that way is around 2 km shorter than the inland route from The Gables. Just as long as I get to the decision point by 11 am. Low tide at Wreck Beach is 8:50 am, the next high tide at 2:15 pm. So half-way between "should" be OK. But I'm not going to kill myself rushing to get there.

This has been an awesome walk. A slog at times but really rewarding. I'm so fortunate to be able to fill my life and memories with these sorts of experiences.