And I think that it went very well although feedback has highlighted the fact that the trail lacks any distinctive markers and navigational “aids”. So although we have a route, we still have to achieve “Trail” status. That means we urgently need to source funds to complete the job that began nearly 4 years ago!

Ean, Maggie and I had a very informative meeting with the Whadjuk group from SWALSC last week. I found it extremely rewarding to hear the stories that they told and their obvious comfort with the concept of the Trail passing through Walyunga National Park which is of great importance to them. They offered some really creative suggestions and ones that we will seriously try to incorporate into our Trail Experience. One phrase that was used by one of the Board Members lingers with me, and that was that Walyunga is a “Happy Place”. I hope you get to experience that for yourself one day!

I am meeting with CAC to discuss our proposed access agreement with them next week – we both want to “make it happen”, but we need to get it right.

After 8 months, several phone calls and emails, we still have to hear back from a Government Department about one small section of the Trail – does everyone run into challenges like this with Government Departments?

Hopefully my next post will be able to report progress.