A Balancing Act

We arrived at a second farm. Al's uncle lives in a farmhouse located near the Porongurup mountain range. In order to get to the farm house you have to drive down a dirt road, pass through a gate, across a field and there you are. About gates: the rule on Australian farms and I suppose any farm is, if the gate is closed, close it after you pass through and if it is open leave it. Since the surrounding fields had sheep grazing, it makes sense. The surrounding views from the farm house are magnificent -- green fields with the mountain range in the background.

Bev, Tjeerd and Al

Sheep grazing in surrounding fields

Who are you looking at?

The dirt road leading to the farm entrance

A lovely green view with the mountain range in the background

The farm house. Notice that rain water is collected in several water tanks.
On the roof of the house the solar water heater. Satellite dishes help with TV and computer

The Porongurup is the oldest mountain range in the world. Over 1 billion years old, this ancient forest island is home to towering granite peaks, majestic stands of Karri trees and is surrounded by some excellent wineries. We hiked 2.2 km up to the rugged trail leading to the Granite Skywalk and Castle Rock, which opened in 2011. This elevated walkway is a master piece of engineering. It rewards those who venture up the Castle Rock Walk Trail, a forest rich with plant and bird life, with the extraordinary Balancing Rock. Now you could scramble over boulders using steel handholds to a vertical 6 metre ladder that takes you up to the Skywalk. Since it had been drizzling with rain during our hike to the top and the rock face was wet we wisely decided not to attempt the vertical climb to the Skywalk. Instead we went to an observation area beside Castle Rock and marvelled at the vista from that viewpoint. The 2.2 km going down was much easier and at the bottom we were very pleased with our accomplishments.

Bev beside the stump of a Karri tree

The buttress of a Karri tree

Tall trees everywhere

At the end of the trail we are rewarded with the sight of several rocks balancing precariously on other rocks

Bev beside other balancing rocks

The following photos of the views you see from the observation deck beside Castle Rock:
Remember it had been raining for quite a while so imagine what these vistas would look like if the sun was shining.

Although it was a long and hard hike to the top it was well worth it.