With Paul, I caught the 10:30 ferry to Bundeena (which could only be considered cheating if I was actually able to walk on water), and started walking at about 12:30 - a gentle strolling pace, as opposed to the powerful (but foolish) striding with which I walked most of yesterday.

After two hours Paul had to return to the Bundeena ferry, so a tearful (on my part, anyway) goodbye was had on Big Marley beach. I felt a little lonely and sorry for myself after he left.

After an hour's rest in Wattamolla, I eventually halted for the day at a random piece of coastline near Curracurrang, and pitched my tent for the first time. I was asleep by 8, but not feeling nearly as hammered as the previous night. I feel like I might be able to pick up the pace again after today's and tomorrow's smaller schedules.

I felt lonely and daunted by what was to come. What had I committed myself to?

I got moving at 8 and walked through the most gorgeous scenery within 200km of Sydney. My feet weren't being to troublesome, although finding water was sometimes a challenge.

I received a generous offer of accommodations at Otford, at the southern tip of the Royal NP, 15km from where I started. The only problem was, I wasn't ready to stop there. So a compromise was reached. I dropped my pack at Otford, then walked 9km further down the road in the dwindling light without the burden of that beast on my back. And no, I don't think that's cheating. Then I caught the train back to Otford, with the plan of getting a lift back over those 9km tomorrow.