Movie stage XXII, XXIII, XXIV & XXV

After saying goodbye to my family it was time to hike with the backpack again. Fortunately, the scenery of the trek was amazing, because for nearly 200km I walked along the beach or coastal paths with views from above. Peace, silence interrupted only by the splash of waves, wild camping on the beach with a fantastic view of the sunrise from the tent, and during the day there were walks between beaches among rocks, cliffs and green vegetation.

And the beaches were empty, with the exception of small towns from time to time. I have walked through over 20 national parks, nature reserves and protected areas. Only a few hours before each high tide I was sinking in the sand, and at every low tide the sand was hard as a rock and my bare feet had to endure some pain. However, this is a small price to pay for such an interesting route.

But the rivers were a problem. The choice was simple - I'm going around on a busy road without any obstacles, or I'm going along a beautiful calm coast, but from time to time having to figure how to cross water without an engine.

The first river was scheduled to be crossed at low tide. The last time I was there 3 years ago, my one meter tall son was running through it. So my surprise was huge when I saw a large river - this year was lots of rainfall. After several attempts I found the right place and managed to cross it with my backpack raised above my head.

I was much more afraid of the second river, because I remember it as a great wind-wrinkled lake. How much trouble will take me to find someone who understands my motorless crossing rules and then picks up the kayak/board on the other side? Full of fear I entered the town of Manning Point, went to the campsite reception and ... within 20 minutes I was already 500 meters further on the other side of the river, paddling there in a borrowed fishing kayak, and the caravan park manager came to me in a motorboat with my backpack and collected the equipment. Instant understanding, and action. Saved time and was able to walk further along the beaches rather than along the busy road.

To make life harder I made an obstacle for myself and organized a drop of roller skis. On the video rides look so nice - and here I was tired like an ox, the resistance was huge and I also had to fight with the balance. It didn't feel like cross-country skiing at all. It is true that I took only one lesson from a friend in Sydney, but here after three days it was still hard, the body did not get used to it. After about two kilometers I needed a longer break, and my hands were very sore. I was faster walking, so after three days and only 33 kilometers pushed with poles on these roller skis, I sent the equipment back :(

However, it was not always so fast with crossing rivers. To get north from South West Rocks I spent a couple of hours hunting people with kayaks on a campsite. In the end it worked, but it wasn't easy. Fortunately in Port Macquarie, a friend recommended friends, so apart from the kayak I also had double hospitality and good company. In Numbucca, however, I had to organize everything via the Internet, because the end of the beach that I reached was on the other side of the town, completely deserted, being part of the national park - then I called mobile and a moment later I heard a motorboat, and on it a paddle board that I could cross the river. As if that wasn't enough, the local RSL club saw my ad and offered me a free meal and drink - the steak was delicious!

Basia Meder, a well-known Polish traveler, who had been inviting me for a long time, helped me deal with the last obstacle. But before I got to her in Sawtell, she first brought me her kayak to Urunga, from where I paddled on a fabulous river for 5km. And then I walked on the beach without my luggage, because the last river on my route was supposed to be possible to cross without equipment. I packed the electronics into a waterproof bag and carrying it in one hand I started to cross the river - it was getting deeper, but the current was not too strong, and it turned out that I had to swim only a few meters.

Basia welcomed me enormously. Excellent conditions, food, and long conversations about traveling and life. I rested, and after a few days Ewelina and Natan came to us by train. We had a carefree wonderful family time, so it wasn't easy to part after 5 days. The crying child from behind the train window will stay in my memory for a long time, confirming that the biggest price I pay for this journey is separation from my son.

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