Day 54 Amalia Gorge

 We headed off early this morning, trying to beat the heat of the day to do the Amalia Gorge walk, which was about 3.5km grade 4/5, so a difficult walk. It was just Matt and I together. The walk started out through a rocky creek bed, with wobbly rocks on each step. After a small creek crossing, the rocks started to get bigger, some jutting upwards and on their side, some were wobbly but you didn’t know that until you stepped on them, others were slippery because the slightest bit of sand or dirt made them slippery, otherwise were well polished and slippery or wet, rocks also were slippery. Every step involved a decision and concentration, and again you had to remind yourself to stop and look up to enjoy the changing scenery that we were surrounded by. More orange red rocky cliff faces and hills covered in spinifex grass, trees and scattered rock, the occasional pool of water, some with little trickles of water and others babbling away as the water moved downstream. As we headed further down the track, the walk got harder with some clambering over rocks and trying to pick the best route. Eventually we reached the half way Rockpool, with water almost the colour of Bridget, a shade of teal. The water was deep and very clear, and you could see the fish swimming around. We stopped here for awhile to enjoy the beauty and watch the fish.

After a rest, we continued further down, where the track involved some serious clambering over rocks, and at one point, the angled rock overhung the path and the Rockpool was down below, and there was a chain to hang on to, to give you something to hold onto, as you pulled yourself around this point. The next hard bit involved climbing up and finding grip points on the slippery rock as you climbed up and around. It was kind of like the rock climbing walls you can do. without the safety rope and foam mats It was challenging, fun and scary all at once. Matt was very quick but I took my time, and sometimes I would slide down on my bottom, just because it was easier. We finally reached the end and there was another large rock pool with a waterfall, it was shaded and so the water was freezing but there were people that were brave (senseless) and had a swim. The rocky cliffs again partially surrounded the rock pool. We sat there for a while and just immersed ourselves again in the moment. 

We had to eventually leave,mainly cause our bums had gone numb from sitting on a rock for 40 mins, and head back, before it got too hot in the sun to walk. The return trip, felt easier, as we knew where to go and what to expect. I was very proud of me for my achievements. It was a great morning. We returned to El Questro to cool down and relax for the afternoon. It was nice to plug into power and put the air con on and chill and we played scrabble.  As I write this, the sun is setting behind me and I have the perfect view out Bridget’s kitchen window. Tonight we are having dinner at the restaurant here at El Questro, so that will be nice for Matt to enjoy, maybe some local Barramundi. Not sure if we will encounter the cattle again, from last night, when we head over to the restaurant.