Fleurieu Magic: Happy Wandering

The Heysen Trail is a 1200 long hiking track that winds from Cape Jervis at the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula and heads north through South Australia to end in the Flinders Ranges. Over the years since we moved to SA we've done most of the trail in our area in short half- or full-day trips. Some of the trail is on tracks in national parks or conservation areas, some goes through private property and there's even some on roads. Of course, we've only done a handful of the entire trail, but I thought I'd explored all the bits we could find here. I say 'find' because, unless you have a detailed map, it's not easy to see where the trail is, as you often have to cross a road and search for the small Heysen Trail sign to locate the next bit.

So it was quite exciting to discover a section we had not done before. I set off (minus Steve who decided to test his camera at Granite Island instead).

[An aside: The title for this post comes from a song we had to learn in high school when we had music lessons once a week, learning songs that were popular for children's choirs - something I quite enjoyed. This song was called 'The Happy Wanderer' and was very popular in the 1950s and 60s. I don't remember anything about it except that it conjures up images of people hiking in the Alps, whistling, laughing and singing as they go - the opening lines being 'I love to go a wandering along the mountain track, and as I go I love to sing, my knapsack on my back'. Of course, as I was walking, I couldn't help but sing a few verses, the words of which I still recall. Thank goodness Steve was not with me.]

The first section of the walk was through a typical bush setting along a wide road-less-travelled track, with glimpses of lush farmland. No-one about. Sun shining. A coolish breeze. Birdsong.

The sun meanwhile decided to disappear but it was an easy walk and at least the rain was holding off.

After about half an hour walking, the road ended at the main road that eventually leads to Cape Jervis. I dithered, looking left and right, but couldn't see the Heysen sign. I crossed the road, peering intently, until I spotted the tiny tell-tale marker on a small hillock. This proved to be a successful move as I then saw the stile and another sign. Phew.

I have to say that this section of the walk was not as spectacular as some parts. It was a narrow, sandy track hugging a fence and winding through scrubby bushland. However, it was well-maintained, and the spring wildflowers a bonus.

And clearly signposted.

As I said, the wildflowers were out.

I was watching out for snakes as there have been a few reports of sightings recently. But all was clear, though this deep hole gave me the shivers.

Through the bush ...

... and along a fence.

More flowers.

Then a lovely view of distant hills and farmland.

I decided that was as far as I wanted to go, so retraced my steps.

And to prove I was actually there, I decided to take a selfie when I returned to the stile (something I have never done before - so this was an absolute first). You can see how skilful I am.