Day 18: Walwa to Jingellic to a cow paddock
- anjawever45
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
We left the cozy Walwa cabin behind at 8:30 AM, stepping into a cold morning. Our first stop was the Walwa general store, where we met Carly, a kind elderly woman who offered us a stay at her cottage.
While we appreciated the gesture, we politely declined and picked up a sandwich for lunch before setting off on the next stretch of our journey.
The walk to Jinjellic was pleasant, thanks to a well-maintained sidewalk running along the route. We faced a choice between sticking to the river road or taking the scenic route. Based on local recommendations, we opted for the latter.
Not far from Jingellic, Carly reappeared in her car, stopping on the side of the road warning us of rain and urging us once again to stay at her cottage. Although her persistence was well-meaning, her sudden appearance felt slightly unsettling. After we firmly declined, she finally drove off.
When we reached Jinjellic, we took some time to explore and stopped by the local general store. A simple meal of bacon and toast gave us a much-needed energy boost.
Here, we met Susan, a single mother who had not only raised two successful children but also carved out an impressive career for herself, from nurse to tour guide to a fisher woman in Alaska to now running a grocery store.
We also crossed paths with Kevin—or "Kettle" as he called himself—who joked about the hole in his forehead, claiming it helped him "let off steam." His humor added to our day.
At 12 PM, we resumed our hike, aiming for a campground that, as it turned out, didn’t exist. After reaching Eagle Lookout, we found a spot by the Murray River that seemed adequate—a cow paddock. Aside from a curious lone cow, the rest of the herd kept their distance. We also came across numerous wombat holes in the area.
The day ended with an early attempt at sleep, though it wasn’t a restful night. Headaches and a fatigued, restless body kept me awake, while Cy slept soundly.
Despite the challenges, the day was filled with moments we’ll remember—some amusing, others strange, and a few really beautiful moments.
