After a 6hour bus ride from Perth, we spent a most enjoyable night with John &
Barbara Watson in Albany. They cooked us a beef roast as the last meal of the
condemned! then delivered us next morning to the Albany visitor's Centre - start
point of the Bibbulmun. Finally....
The longest journey begins with a single step...... one small step for
man....and all the other misquoted cliches.

THE FIRST STAGE. ALBANY TO DENMARK 75km
Day 1. Albany to Hidden Valley Hut. 19.4km
After a long boring walk around Princess Royal Harbour on a paved bike track,
and up over the hills on the edge of the Torndirrup National Park, we travelled
west along the coast through the majestic Wind Farm. A long 19.4 km with sore
feet, and a refreshed memory of just how heavy a fully laden back pack can be,
we arrived unheralded at Hidden Valley Hut. An early dinner and then bed - only
to be woken at 12.30am by of all people "the Phantom" and his dog "Sparky". He
was just passing through, Stopped for a cup of tea - then on to Albany. He had
left Torbay Hut - that we were making for the next day- at 6.00pm. He waded
across the fast flowing Torbay Inlet at 9.00pm, and nearly lost sparky to the
fierce current. The bar had been opened on Tuesday and the current was still
fierce. He was making for Albany where he had a 9.00am appointment. (We reckon
with his shrink!!!)
Day 2 Hidden Valley to Torbay Hut. 16.9km
Sore feet again but hey - how sore can they get!
4.5km through coastal scrub then down onto the beach at Muttonbird Island.
8.8km along the sand in bare feet. The sand was soft and we had to wade across
the waist deep Torbay Inlet (by now the current had eased)and our feet were
cool. At Cosy Corner we left the beach and climbed 100meters or so of
stairs!!!!!, then a short 2.5km to the hut, which we had once again to
ourselves, and without interruption.
Day 3 Torbay to West Cape Howe 16.7 km
Threcing through some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. The pristine
West Cape Howe National Park - home to kangaroo tics, snakes, blistered feet,
heavy back packs, and a set of stairs that make yesterdays look link gives its
a wheelchair ramp! (It also name to a rather nice drop of red!)
We stumbled into the hut mid afternoon, and did nothing. We were
absolutely..........,,well we were pretty tired! After all it was the third day.
Day 4 Cape West Howe to Nullaki 16.7km
We found this day to be a hard days walk. The ups seemed to go forever, and the
downsdidn't last long enough. Two small snakes that got out of our road pretty
quickly, and three hikers coming the other way were the 'stand outs' for the
day. Once again some magnificant scenery, but half the time, hey who cares..
Going through my mind...
Margaret: "I've just been bitten by a tiger snake!"
Geoff: "So, what's your point?"
Still we made it into the hut in time for afternoon tea, and a good lie down!
Rang the ferry to arrange to get across Wilson Inlet and into Denmark in the
morning, only to find that the water was too low for the boats to opperate.

Day 5 Nullaki to Denmark.
Plan 2 - take a taxi!
We hiked down to Eden Rd and met out taxi who took us in to Denmark, and the Blue
Wren Backpackers. Had a shower and did some washing!!!!
REST DAY IN DENMARK TOMORROW.
We are told the pub does a great steak....sounds good to me.