We saw the Contiki  crew off and had a sensible sized breakfast before heading off on a day likely to make 27.

After seeing an old guy in the bar last night with blood from head to toe from a fall I was going to be a little more circumspect with my foot placement today.

Had the usual Mosque call but must say never seen anyone going to one or people observing prayer publicly.

Greeted  by 3 cats on a motor cycle and tailed the day with a pack of dogs greeting us when we crossed the unique wooden bridge at the end of the walk.  Add to that the birds fleeing from the hunters and the goats getting milked in the middle of nowhere you might say it was a an animal centric day.

Walked on a paved road which allowed us to take in the sights early, with great views over the harbour and out to sea.

Amazing to see the paved roads going for kilometres in different colours and patterns- must have been a tedious laying job.

Plenty of traffic  along the road, as well as wild campers finding nooks with million dollar views. Struck and older couple in a sedan all set up on the side of the road having breakfast. I would swear blind it was the same man we saw in Kas eating baked beans out of a can from the boot of his car.

It was the best start we have experienced so far with relatively  flat surfaces enabling us to take in the scenery which included beautiful mountain top castles and tombs sprinkled alongside.

Ran into a couple of Portuguese travellers who gave us the full rundown on how they were the first nation to discover Australia, only thing they didn’t ask us was if we knew a relative in Petersham.  They were impressed we had walked in  Portugal and Anna had married there as well.

Went past a very well presented  cemetery – on the map marked as a water source- seems if you want water Mosque and cemetery are the place to visit.

Bit of an Australian touch when we pulled up under a gum tree to let a 4 foot six inch  goat herder cajole her herd along the track.

Mini houses seem to be popping up everywhere with many being  used to accommodate workers on the numerous hot houses farms.

We continued to enjoy flat tracks , which helped us put up with the heat as we walked through farms with much richer looking soil, even found one with a green crop of some sort which provided a nice backdrop to another hilltop fort.

Matt Lee Electrical would certainly get a job over here and would definitely up the standard- some of the domestic and commercial installations are downright dangerous. 

Ran into a couple of young shooters with huge rifles who were hunting for pheasant, pigeon  on quail – looking at the gauge of gun not much of the quarry would be left if they did actually shoot one.

Further along also  came across a group of Americans doing a  day walk off their yachts , which we passed later along the track at a place called Smugglers Cove.

Stopped in a dry creek bed for R and R before coming across a cove full of yachts moored at a site which had been abandoned.

Unfortunately, we could not get down into the water for a swim.

Moved up onto higher level ground and came across another abandoned house with a view to die for.

Continued to run into more hikers going in both directions as  we picked our way along a worsening track which wound its way up the hill.

The rain certainly had the ants on the move, it was amazing to see what they were carrying – bit like overloaded backpackers.

Track spilt and we took the upper track which slipped past a one building school with the most amazing view.

The two trails merged again and the earlier joy of walking on flat tracks disappeared momentarily as we picked our way downhill to be rewarded with a beautiful beach and chance to swim. 

Shared beach with 3 others, including an Anthropology professor who was an Associatre at La Trobe university. Luckily  our reef shoes allowed us much easier access into the warmish water.

Added a half hour break to the swim for lunch and recovery   Then picked our way along the coastline  on very rocky tracks, often only 10 metres above the tantalising aqua coloured water..

Being that close to water and having an ever increasing thirst through exposure to the sun was frustrating.

Finally it was a steep and rocky downhill to a rickety bridge crossing a river and a track leading us onto a SANDY beach.

Despite being chased by friendly dogs it was time to take off the boots and enjoy some salt water foot therapy whilst consuming the last dregs of the days water supply.

Beach, which is famous for being a hatchery  for sea turtles had 3 other people other than  us on it. 

Left beach and  dodged another 3 dogs before walking over a strange looking bridge built in 2021 to celebrate something.

Spent time waiting for B and B operator to pick us up rehydrating with a couple of beets.

The trip back,  not only provided magnificent scenery and a chance to suss out tomorrow’s walk,  but we were treated to the most pleasant driving experience yet.

Back in town came across the group of town square men solving the problems of the world for yet another day with fag and beer in hand.l about 10 metres north of where they sat yesterday

Had a couple of thirst quenchers in a harbour side bar before farewelling a couple of very friendly guys who we often met along the way – the hares- as we affectionately named them.

Back to B and B for another cracking dinner before chatting with some Aussies who were on an organised tour.

Day off for us tomorrow and donning our tourist clothes and foung s boat cruise which hopefully has more swimming snd less walking.