Wilsons Prom is burning

After the horror of the fires seemed to be over we heard this week that Wilson’s Prom is on fire.  As there is only one road into the Prom they can only tackle it with helicopters.  They think they will have to wait for it to burn out naturally.  The Prom has been evacuated but I am grieving the bush and animals there.  I know that the bush needs fire but when it comes so intensely the trees and animals can die.

I love the Prom.  B and I were there in September last year.  It was the first time we went in winter/spring.  We went in the camper van and expected the worst for cold but we had an ace time.  There were only about 4 other people in the 600 odd place camp ground.  We had most of the walks and beaches to ourselves and it was the perfect weather for walking.  Here are a few shots:

We loved the van and we loved the spot.  There were heaps of animals around looking for food undisturbed.  Bird, Wallabies, Wombats…

I am hoping there were not too many people doing the overnight hikes getting freaked out.  I think everyone has been evacuated now.

They are saying that the Prom might be closed for months.

Hoping everyone is going to get a chance to get over the fires soon.

The Prom

My Beau wants me to make this site more carnivorous.  I’m not sure.  While I ponder the possibilities here are a few shots of our time at the Prom.  This time with a little rain but without the adventure we are used to.  It was lovely.  My little automatic serves me well

Our days were spent warm but sometimes wet, making our way around the coast by foot.  The tea trees tinkled in the wind and all else that we could hear was the low growl of the waves and the tweetering of the birds.  It was refreshing to be so removed from everyday life.  Back to a simpler way.  Also, we got to retreat to the van to dry off.  A mobile lounge room.  Most nights were spent drinking vodka and playing cards with the music low in the background.  I’m feeling relaxed and grounded.

The last time we visited Wilsons Prom…

The last time was in December. We had planned for months to do the three day walk through Sealer’s Cove, Refuge Cove and Little Waterloo Bay. We arrived on the first day late in the afternoon after spending the morning trying to find a missing kitty then get him into a box then to the Cattery.

The clouds were hanging low and when we arrived we could hear the distant growl of thunder. I looked at Beau. He was busy with my pack. He brought it over to me to place on my back. It started to spit. We had been planning the trip for so long and even bought and borrow gear, so we wanted to go. It was around 3pm when we started the 10km walk to Sealer’s Cove, where we would be spending the night.

The next afternoon we were back at the van. We had been rained out, Beau’s sleeping bag had acted as an extraordinary sponge and collected all the water it could. We had slept under one sleeping bag, opened up. My legs were covered in leeches. My Beau had an injury that looked like a broken ankle on which he had hobbled back with the aid of a stick for the last 3km, including walking straight through a creek in order to avoid balancing on stones. We had offered $100 to complete strangers to go up the track to where the injury happened to recover the 15 kilo pack (containing some borrowed treasured items). We got back cold, wet and tired but ecstatic that we made it back to the car. 40 minutes later the male of the strangers, who had refused our offer due to his bad back and partners pregnancy, walked out of the track entrance wearing the water laden pack. I kow-towed to them several times but they wouldn’t accept money. They said they could see that I wouldn’t be able to get it out on my own. The kindness of strangers.

We packed up the car and cancelled our weeks accomodation at Tidal River so that we could go home. We had warm showers and dried our gear. The ankle was badly strained and Beau went into Physio. A few days later we were working out when we could go back to do the walk properly….