Hi Everyone

Sorry, but a generic email to bring you up to speed on things. Have
to pay by the hour around here for Internet access ! :-)

Well it is Day 34 and I have having a rest-day in Pemberton ---
pouring with rain.

The walk has being going very well. Averaging around 3.75 to 4 km/h on
most days. The hardest section has been Dookanelly to Possum Springs;
around 1600 m of climb over the day! The track is in pretty good
condition, except for the Balingup to Pemberton section (Donnelly
River Valley) where there has been a lot of tree fell. Had one go down
on the track near Karri Gully on the morning I went through. Heard it
happen!

It was good to get out of the jarrah/marri forest and into the karri.
A nice change of scenery.

Mice and rats have been a problem in some campsites. Ronald the Rat is
very active in Boarding House (ate a hole in my pack) and at Beedulup
(is having a really good go at the register box).

Also had Mickey Mouse run over me at Helena and had a nibble of my
finger (or Ronald did) at Tom Road! I didn't hang around to find out
what it was! Dived in to the bivouac to remain hidden until the
morning. I am a wimp!

Hanging food bag and packs are now a nightly routine.

The track has been very quiet. Shared White Horse Hills, Mt Wells and
Chadoora with Frank from the Club; Peter Wallis (6' 8" tall!)
northbound E2E at Mt Wells; Swamp Oak with a Trinity Boys College Year
12 Outdoor Ed class (very well organised/behaved); Murray with a group
of students from Boddington District High School (poorly organised/not
well behaved/inexperienced teachers); Harris Dam with a Southbound end
to ender who passed me (Tom - 66 years old); Alan and Jane who walked
into Grimwade and Balingup with me; Blackwood with three folks going
from Donnelly River Village to Balingup (Rob and Andrea - E2E 2003 &
Bob). They shared mull wine with me and some Iclandic rum ... lets
just say a good night was had by all :-); Lance another speed freak
heading south (E2E) at Gregory Brook. Lance was aiming to finish in
two weeks!

The rest of the nights I have had the campsites to myself.

Saw Ken enroute to Pemberton yesterday. He is travelling well, if not
over excited about the track or his experience. Ken and Peter are the
only northbounders I have met so far.

Anyway body and mind is in good condition; travelling well and
enjoying the experience very much. Really excited about the remainder
as this is all virgin territory for me from now to the end.

Will write everything up when I get home and publish it on the
website.

Take care all.

Cheers
Andrew