Day 3: Cape Pillar (Munro to Retakunna)

Day 3 started with a cup of tea on the deck as the sun rose.
Breakfast was porridge and coffee.
This was the 19 km day, but happily mostly without packs as we swung by Munro again before heading out to Retakunna.
If we thought yesterday was spectacular, today knocked it out of the park as we walked out to the tip of Cape Pillar. Along the way we saw seals down on the rocks (thanks to Russell and his binoculars) and (some) made the hair-raising climb up “The Blade” a skinny outcrop looking out to Tasman Island.
Tasman Island light-house is perched on the rugged cliffs. The handful of inhabitants had to get winched up the cliffs with their belongings. In the 1920s the light-house keeper and his wife had all their teeth removed before arrival to prevent an infection. When their daughter got pneumonia they had to send pigeons out and light a bonfire to attract attention and help - hard times.
Back at Munro we reluctantly reunited with our packs to make the hour long trudge to the last night’s cabin Retakunna. Ranger Jacinta met us and briefed us on the final days’ walk.
Dinner was dehydrated red curry, noodles and beef stroganoff with caramel popcorn chocolate for dessert.
It was Burns night and Russell and I shared 30 ml of the Old Pulteney.Read more