GWN Teralba to Congewai valley

Continued quest to finish this Great North Walk. Things like new job getting in the way of progress. Sweet talking Family for rides to start or end point also.

So last time finished in Congewai Valley. BTW learnt the its pronounced Conjeeway, not like Gongawai.

So ideally would liked to start there and finish, well where i finish which would hopefully be at the end. aka Newcastle. Not to be. Despite big selling job with offers of night up at wine farm on thursday. Alas, too responsible these workers.

Having said that, having had fathers day and birthday it was like hiking heaven, with a plethora of new gear to motivate one. Like; new carbon fiber hiking poles. Some doof head laughed at the concept, huh, i bite my thumb in your general, westerly direction. these are the best hikers friend. Also cool down jacket. As spring bring out not only flowers but big mark downs on all things winter for hiking.

Train trip from Hornsby>Newcastle, I'm a regular on this, to Teralba. A two bit town really. i did find the best coffee and Egg and bacon rolls in Teralba at, aptly named the Teralba Country Kitchen:

Not only the best, the ONLY Egg and Bacon roll and coffee in Teralba. Own by a sweet old biddie who lamented that demise of the coal industry. Carbon tax know doubt the culprit. With tomorrow being voting day know doubts her leaning. Wish i'd taken a pic of her, looked the part, no end.

Right turn back across the railway station and towards hunter valley. a long walk 6k on road until eventually hitting the trail for real. Few more k and pass under the M1. through this weird area, with mining subsistance all over. warning signs, stay on the track they say.

Through Awaba state forest. following the ridge line. getting used to these hiking poles. finally come to Branxton - Toronto Rd. Stop off for Lunch at the Servo. Two guys, just finished a hike. Keen to tell me they're training for Kakoda. Not the 'tourist' Kakoda. the real one the the Diggers dug into. One guy with a cracked head. hit a rock. Another Bacon n Egg roll. best thing on the menu.

then climb up into the Watagans for real. a great walk. follows the ridge line over looking the Hunter valley and then to the North. Spring, the Rock Orchids are out.

the trail followed the ridge line, precipice each side. pictures really can't capture. Steap on one side, much much steeper on the other.

and even hard walkin' hikers need to wash at the end of the day. or at least when the opportunity arises. 

Now to the campsite destination. Map showed not too far away. Just didnt show that it hugged the edge of the cliff face, literally. Now it was dark. Now i was tired. And with water being long way, fully loaded. Now i was stumbling around. this would have been a great section hike. Just all i wanted was the campsite.

Eventually came to the Mclean point at 8pm ish. Quick nosh up and time for bed.

some great views first thing in the morning.

Good start following the ridge over looking the Hunter. this would be a good day walk. Just not too much water. then a fire down below. Maybe not such a good place to be right now. Fire in the valley. Wind blowing straight up the hill towards me. So maybe we should get down the other side as quickly as we can. So no second night stop over.

A great walk down to Congewai valley. Just running low on water. Then hallelujah, a sign, 500 m off track. Well low and behold a friendly stable horsey centre, similar to the one in hidden valley earlier on the GNW (see blog to Paxton). And a Dunny. With a view. And blow me down, i have the urge to avail myself of its patronage. And a good time to study the map. Took some time to set the camera up as you can see.

So wildlife is few and far between. Saw a Roo, early in the morning. then saw these weird critters. A bunch of catapillars, all walking ontop of each other. Weird. They saw or felt my presence, immediately stopped. then when safe, all in unison marched off, still climbing on the fella (or fella'es) in front. Must find out what they are:

And after that excitement, with reduced payload, had extra spring in the step to get down to the valley Floor. then a short walk up the road with the plan to meet up with Tracey.

So only the Teralba to Newcastle section left todo. Should be good.