Day 2: Anchorage – Bark Bay

• 9.30am, Depart Anchorage Bay
• 10.40-10.50am, Cleopatra’s Pools
• 12pm-1.oopm, Lunch stop at Torrent Bay Village
• 3.15pm, Arrive Bark Bay!

I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window.  So much for the weather bomb.  I had breakfast on the beach – porridge with sultanas and apples and a good cup of coffee.  I had the beach to myself except for the many birds who kept me company and I’m sure I spotted a little blue penguin in the Bay!  What a way to start the day!

I decided not to wait for low tide to cross Torrent Bay estuary, and although longer, I opted for the high tide route so that I could detour up to Cleopatra’s Pools.  I’m really pleased about this decision.  Great views over Anchorage on the one side, and Torrent Bay on the other made the Track interesting.

The Pools were a series of waterfalls running over granite rocks and boulders.  I can imagine in summer it would be a popular spot for a freshwater swim.  For me, it was a lovely snack stop!

Onwards round to Torrent Bay and through the now deserted Torrent Bay Village.  How amazing it must be to have a bach here!  It made a good lunch stop for me – although not a quiet one, as I had the company of a little red-breasted robin who tweeted at me furiously as if to demand some food!  As I sit here writing the sandflies are starting to hover, so time to continue on to Bark Bay!

It was a quite a steady climb out of Torrent Bay with beautiful views looking down onto the secluded coves and beaches.  Clear blue skies, gorgeous blue seas, lots of birdsong, the occasional distant drone of a water taxi and very few other walkers.

The challenge today was always going to be about crossing Falls River Swing Bridge.  The walkers ahead of me calmly stopped in the middle, looked down, admired the view then bounced across.  Even though I had crossed it once before, and rationally I know that its very safe, my fear of heights is debilitating enough that I can’t look down and I chant myself across.  “1, 2, 1, 2, keep going, 1, 2, 1, 2, halfway there, 1, 2, 1, 2, nearly there, 1, 2, 1, 2 you made it”.  Crazy isn’t it – but I can’t stop that feeling.  The rest of the walk was really pleasant, and it felt good to be walking!

Bark Bay Hut had 11 trampers staying overnight.  After dinner of Steak with Caponato (thanks Gourmet Tramping!), another game of cards was played.