Yes I know. No posts for two years. I've been busy in my spare time completing an MSc in Coaching Psychology at Sydney University. It was challenging and fun, but I'm so glad it's done!  
At the end of 2013 I decided to do the Great North Walk. My friend Peter wanted to do it too, in fact he had all the maps, but sadly he could not get leave from work. Peter did fly down from Brisbane and we walked the first few days together, starting officially at Queen's Wharf on beautiful Newcastle Harbour. The GNW is about 250km and was a Bicentennial Project under NSW Premier Nick Griener.

Doing the Great North Walk Backwards
Day 1 - 8 Dec 2013  Newcastle to Warner's Bay

Our first day was easy and fun, walking the whole length of the Newcastle beaches, past Nobbies, along Newcastle Beach, over the hill to Bar Beach, Dixon Beach, Merewether Beach, and then we got a bit lost but finally made it to Charlestown for a rest and a bite for lunch.

Bar Beach-  8 December 2013

A few hours later we found ourselves at Warner's Bay, and checked into a motel. Another friend of mine Karen kindly collected us for a drink and meal at a local club.

Day 2- 9 Dec 2013  Warner's Bay to Heaton Gap

Next day we set off heading due west, following the shore of Lake Macquarie past Speers Point, through Teralba, past Wakefield, had a break sitting under the M1 overpass, then climbed up, down, up (etc) and along the Sugarloaf Range. By late afternoon we were close to exhausted and getting a little worried about the water situation. Keeping each other's spirits up, we made it eventually to Brunkerville and checked into a room at the Heaton Gap service station on Freeman's Drive.

Peter, finally we made it to Heaton Gap.

Day 3 - 10 Dec 2013 Farewell to Peter and rest day at Heaton Gap
Early next morning Peter had to catch a bus to Morisset, train to Newcastle, then flew back to work at Brisbane. I decided to rest for a day, to drink lots of water and do some drawings of the local bush.