Sunday 19 February: Porongurup National Park

 Today we head inland along straight virtually deserted roads lined with Peppermint trees and Jarrah. After about 90 minutes we enter the Porongurup National Park and the car park at the base of the Castle Rock Granite Skywalk.  Backpacks empty apart from water we set off uphill through bush land on a well marked trail meeting only a few people descending. It’s not really that far and after about an hour the path opens out into a granite rocky terrain and we see the Balancing Rock and admire the views. The granite walkway starts with a serious of metal rungs to scramble and initially I chicken out and let Simon climb up alone. Humiliated by some greyer nomads coming down I decide to give it a go and infact it’s not too bad. A bit of scrambling and a ladder gets us to the top of an enormous rock on which has been built a very impressive walkway. The 360 views are tremendous and I’m glad I was brave. Down again we drive a short distance to the Ironside Winery, a small family run business. We taste some yummy wine and then sit in the shady patio and have a light lunch of Asparagus Tart and Smoked Salmon salad with a glass of local Riesling. Our campsite is less than a mile away and we set up in the shade of Yate trees with large cup like seeds. It’s a lovely site and we relax and read and plan itineraries before drinkies in the evening sun.