Walking on a sea of bowling balls (and our whereabouts)
Graeme looks very tiny standing in front of castle Rock
The second day we were on Flinders Island, Graeme said we absolutely had to do the Castle Rock walk that started near Allport Beach.
He confessed that he’d only ever driven to Castle Rock, but knew that the actual walk was highly recommended as a top thing for tourists to do.
So off we set in the car. Flinders Island is 75 kilometres top to bottom and you pretty much have to have a car to get places.
The sign said it was an easy walk—3.3 kilometres one way and 1.5 hours to go and come back. We headed out on the trail and within about 300 metres came the sea of bowling balls.
Now picture this. I’m wearing thongs (I don’t know why the rest of the world has decided to call them flip flops?) and suddenly there’s about 50 metres of path that is a bed of round rocks of differing sizes, but mostly smallish.
The sea of bowling balls
Poor John has, as usual, shot ahead and Graeme is just starting to navigate this unexpected obstacle course. Get back here please, I said to Graeme, as I tried to step from ball to ball. I took off my thongs and took hold of Graeme’s arm. But two metres into the escapade, I surrendered.
No way I’m starting this holiday with a broken ankle! Graeme had to agree that he didn’t fancy struggling across. Poor John, of course, had made it to the other side and was disappearing around a corner.
Graeme and I back-tracked to look for a better path, but in the end gave up and decided to drive to Castle Rock.
Coming to Castle Rock from behind
As we headed to the car we met a family of four and told them what was ahead, saying them might find it problematic. We later learned they they also turned back.
So Graeme and I drove to Castle Rock, which is magnificent, and waited for Poor John. Graeme, who rarely feels the cold, also went for a swim.
Well guess what! It took Poor John a whole 1.5 hours to go one way, and he said the terrain got worse just after the bowling balls, and then got much, much better.
Poor John is out there somewhere
Poor John fitted in another short walk. When we got back to the car Graeme realised he’d left his keys on a rock where he went for the swim, and Poor John went back to get them.
That night we read an entertaining blog post by a woman who had done the walk with friends. One way took them three hours. On the way back, they found an inland path which cut the return trip to two hours.
In spite of all that, Castle Rock is really worth the visit, and I’d quite happily do the walk if I can ever find the way around the bowling balls.
By the way, we’ve heard that Flinders Island has received a million dollar grant to update their tourist signage. It will be a good investment.
Our whereabouts
We start another adventure today—France, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Belgium. Home at the end of June.
Poor John heads out to retrieve the keys
Where to next? 
An absolutely epic land. Castle Rock reminds me of Isamu Noguchi’s sculpture. If you haven’t been, you will LOVE the Baltics. Each is world-class.
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The Baltics are a first for me and Poor John. Can’t wait. Doing self-drive there.
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The escapades of Peggy and Poor John, continue. Now you have dragged Graeme in tow. Is there anywhere you haven’t been or anything you’ve never seen? I live vicariously thru your adventures.
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Oh Potsie, we love travelling companions. And there are still heaps of places I want to go.
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What a saga. In hindsight I suppose you can laugh about it, but if I were in your shoes (aka thongs), I wouldn’t have even been able to walk on the sand, let alone the stones.
I came across a local signage problem myself only recently on a short walk.
Your next trip sounds wonderful. I met a Finnish man many years ago in Aust and I think he said Finland had some 55,000 lakes (more I’ve just read according to Wikipedia). I can only imagine the wonderful landscape and forests with their environmental policies. Please take heaps of photos of Finland & Sweden (as I missed northern Europe in my travels of the late 1970s).
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Most of the signs we encountered in Flinders were out by some, and sometimes a lot. I promise to take and post lots of pics.
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Gorgeous pictures! What were you thinking, wearing flip-flops? 😉 Have a fantastic time on your next trip!
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Thanks. I live in flip flops and will wear sandshoes (Aussie slang for tennis shoes) when I must. I have a pair of party shoes too.
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Awww that must have been a lot of walking for John. I hope he finds the key right away too. 😊 the rocks are amazing esp the castle rock, it looks like a great day for a walk too perfect blue sky. You have a great list of places to visit. Im looking forward for more photos looking at them seems like an adventure with you too.. have fun safe travels 💕😊
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Luckily he knew exactly where the keys were. And yes, it was a fabulous day to be outdoors. Thanks for your good wishes.
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💕💕
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Such stunning scenery, and beautifully photographed. Shame you didn’t get to enjoy the full walk. I can relate to turning back – I did the same at Emma Gorge in the Kimberleys when trying to hobble across a similar sea of ‘bowling balls’. Loved the fact that your post finally gave me an appropriate name to give to that walk. It describes it perfectly. I’m looking forward to reading about your next travel adventure. Enjoy, and keep safe.
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Thanks so much. The scenery really was wonderful and I don’t at all regret turning back. I’ll remember about Emma Gorge if I ever get there. We encountered another beach like the one here, and it’s called Egg Beach.
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Perhaps an appropriate name – as difficult as walking over eggs….
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This place is absolutely stunning! And your photos…look like beautiful lanscape paintings. I love that huge, huge boulder. This is when a good pair of sneakers becomes an asset 🙂
I assume this is in Australia somewhere?
Safe travels, enjoy the trip. I have heard Latvia is amazing and inexpensive. Definitely on my list. And my grandfather was from Lithuania! Look forward to reading about it all.
Peta
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Yes, Flinders Island is off the northeast coast of Tasmania. Looking forward to sharing parts of Latvis and Lithuania with you.
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Looks gorgeous. I’ve always wanted to go to Flinders Island. Good thing you didn’t keep trudging on in those thongs, if you’re anything like me you’d have had a twisted ankle in no time! Enjoy. 🙂
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You’ve got that right. A damaged ankle is no way to enjoy a holiday.
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Definitely not.
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Oh, you have many adventures in your near future. Have a great time.
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Thanks so much, we plan to enjoy every minute.
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Million dollars for signs seems rather extravagant! Enjoy your European trip, I look forward to reading about it!
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Yes it does seem a lot, but I found many places with no signs at all and others with incorrect ones. The price tag may include other services for tourists.
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Sensible shoes exchanged for flip-flops?
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Only when absolutely necessary.
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I enjoyed your bowling ball adventures, but I have always called them flip-flops, since the early 1960s. Thongs are what some young ladies wear, in place of more sensible knickers!
From Flinders Island, straight to northern Europe. I am indeed jealous of your travels.
Have a wonderful time.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete. We grew up in the US calling them thongs and then the word got hijacked by skimpy undies! But Aussies are still committed to thongs as footwear.
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If I ever get down under, I will remember that, Peggy. 🙂
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Sounds like they should use some of the grant to publish for the web and maybe print some info about realistic times for walking to Castle Rock and forewarn people about appropriate footwear. Looks lovely, I love the third photo with the colours, textures of the grass and the rock and the beautiful light. Lucky things avoiding some of the winter, Safe travels, look forward to your posts along the way.
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Thanks Louise. I think Flinders Island has been a bit neglected on the tourism front, but they are beginning to get there. I like that third photo too, especially for the lighting and the totally different view of Castle Rock.
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As always, splendid photos and commentary Peggy! Flinders Island looks to be a truly beautiful place and those rock formations are amazing. Thank you!
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My pleasure. It’s a good reminder of all the beauty we have close to home.
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Fab photos, glad you averted danger … thongs? That mountainous majestic rock looks so prehistoric, amazing, thanks for sharing.
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It does look prehistoric. Thanks for the description.
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Oh wow, that whole walk on flip flops…that is self torture and discipline all in one 😉
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With a good dose of foolishness thrown in. 🙂
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What a great adventure and Poor John – I am impressed! Thanks Peggy for the tour of Flinders Island, I am fascinated about it and want to make a trip there one day. Have fun and be safe as your travels continue. 🙂
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I may be heading to Europe, but I still have a couple of posts to do on Flinders Island. So lovely to have you join along on all my travels.
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Oh good, I will look forward to your upcoming posts about Flinders Island. And you are a wonderful travel companion. 🙂
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What an interesting place. The large grains of sand (aka boulders) probably keep the sighseers down. Not a bad thing for Mother Nature.
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Good point. 🙂
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Fun story, and I love that last serene photo! Enjoy the new adventure!
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Thanks so much. Poor John usually makes a good photo subject! 🙂
We landed in Paris earlier today, so off on more adventures. I might have limited time online.
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I’m often surprised when I see people on a trail wearing thongs/flip flops/sandals when there are plenty of rocks/pebbles/tree roots to trip on, but then I was never a flip flop kind of guy. Whatever the footwear, it looks like it would be a nice place for a walk.
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I’m pretty good about deciding when and when not to wear thongs, but this place had misleading advice so I was doomed! 🙂 That said, it was still beautiful.
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this sounds amazing!!!
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Really picturesque.
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Great piece, Peggy.
(You should have taken off your thongs and walked barefoot. Ouch!)
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I did take them off, but that didn’t help. I’m not sure hiking boots would have really helped. But it all made for a good story.
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They are thongs to me, too. I think that terminology changed with the advent of the underwear that thread just enough material between your buttocks to qualify as “not generally regarded as obscene any longer except in the fashion sense”. LOL! Looks like a great place to wear your thongs. The other thongs still rate an “ick” from me.
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Thanks. We are from the same era, when thongs were footwear across the USA. They’ll always be thongs to me. The undies were formerly known as g-strings and I have no idea when/why that got changed?
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Your thongs, flip flops, are jandals in New Zealand. Definitely not good for walking on rough terrain. I would have been in the car with you.
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Thanks Dorothy. I’d have welcomed your company in the car. And yes I know about jandals—Japanese sandals, I think?
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Looks like a great hike, providing you have the right shoes. I like the pictures you put up. Regarding thongs, I “icked” out everyone at work years ago when I said I wear “thongs”, now I use the less visually icky “sandals”. 🙂 Nice post, I like your lighthearted style.
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Thanks. I prefer to throw in a few laughs or chuckles. Too much out there to depress us. As for the shoes, I don’t think I’d like to go across that terrain in hiking boots either. Just too, too, too uneven for me.
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Loooooovvveeeeee
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Thanks so much.
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Wow what georgous are these photos of your escapade, thank you for good sharing
Enjoy it
Kisses
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My pleasure, Anita. Thanks, as always, for stopping by. Kisses back to you.
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you are very elcome dear
Kisses
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Poor John is a good sport. Have a fabulous trip in Europe! It’s been unseasonably cold, but hopefully that’s coming to an end.
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Paris was very foggy and a brisk 7°C when we arrived this morning. Warmer now, but still grey skies.
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You are talented, with a good camera, and good subjects.
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Thanks so much. The subjects provide the inspiration and the camera does the hard work. I’m just strong enough to carry it. 🙂
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Those are massive boulders and gorgeous as well. What an adventure you had. I guess that’s the reason for traveling. You made one mighty day out of your explorations, by vehicle and by foot and especially by camera!
But flip flops/thongs, really? They’re big fashion around here but not much support for walking, and nothing for hiking.
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It was a great adventure. And I should do a post about the terrible bone structure in my feet (genetic). Means thongs are a blessing for me. I can usually walk for days in thongs or sandshoes (Aussie slang for tennis shoes).
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An alternate viewpoint about flip flops.
(Around Southern California, thongs are what sexy young women wear instead of traditional undies. They cover very little – as you can imagine.)
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I try very hard NOT to imagine! 🙂
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You are more studly than I am Peggy. I would never go on a hike in flip-flops, which I still insist on calling thongs, even though women have adopted the name for string underwear. I suspect that Poor John was glad to see you at the end of his walk with the car. 🙂 –Curt
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On the contrary, I was glad to see him at the end of the walk. Given that the one-way trip took twice the amount of time that was predicted, I became quite worried waiting for him. And I often walk in ‘flip flops’. My funny feet are happiest in them.
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Tough feet! And I would have been worried as well.
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We called flip-flops “go-aheads” when I was young. Whatever, I’ve always loved them. Almost as good as bare feet. Not so good for round rocks though. Enjoy your new trip!
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‘Go-aheads’ is a perfect name for them and should remind people that they can go almost anywhere! 🙂
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i like the content of your work !I really enjoyed reading it! thank you for serving as an inspiration! ill be following and be looking forward for your next blog!
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Thanks for following and commenting. Look forward to checking out your blog.
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Peggy I envy your last para, having plans to go to the European countries… but at the same time wish You and John a great journey.
🍇🍉🍷🍻🦄🐦🌴
Shiva🎶
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Thank you so much. We are having a lovely time, but it’s way too cold these last few days.
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I am a flip girl and was met with a funny look when in a shop in Perth but thongs also conjour up another picture for us Brits and they are not worn on the feet…lol…Castle Rock does look lovely , very nice 🙂
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Oh yay! Another flip girl. We have to stick together.
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Yes…and you had me thinking you were a thong girl 🙂
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Oh wait, I misspoke. I am a thong girl. Oops!
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Peggy your pictures are breathtaking. I laughed at your remark about the thongs because that’s what they were referred to when I was young. Not sure when they became flip flops but I was a little disturbed when thongs became tiny pieces of cloth used as underwear 🤣 if you ask me they looked like miniature torture devices.
Based on Poor John’s assessment on the rest of the path it was a wise decision on your part to turn back.
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I’ve never tried one, but I’m sure the cloth thongs are torture devices. And yes, I’ve not regretted turning back. Sometimes common sense kicks in.
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Pretty impressive tour! Enjoy and keep us inform about your adventures. Good luck! Looking forward to see and read your posts.
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Thanks so much. Always appreciate you stopping by.
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Have a nice and safe trip!
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All good so far.
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Glad you found those keys!! That would give you a fright if you’d lost them. Beautiful photos too, Peggy
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Luckily both Graeme and Poor John knew exactly where the keys were.
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breath-taking shots!
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Thanks so much.
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Great photo with John headed out to save the day!
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He is intrepid. But you knew that.
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What gorgeous photos! I’d love to get my kids to the Mississippi one of these days so they could experience it. I hope you and yours are well. We’re taking things one day at a time here. xxxxxx
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Hi Jean, thanks for dropping by. I think of you all so often and wonder how you are going in these weird times. We’re doing well and hope you are too. Sending loads of virtual hugs.
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Thank you for the hugs! We’re doing okay. Blondie’s school is still in-person, and the boys will hopefully return to the actual classroom later in October. The online schooling for them….ugh. I feel for the teachers, and totally respect all their intentions and the way they’re trying to make this approach work, but it’s not. It’s just not. No matter what the teachers do, I think it’s the age group that will always break this foundation of thought for virtual schooling. Were the boys five years older, you could maybe, MAYBE, swing the virtual approach. But not now.
Anyway, that’s the only struggle we have right now, which is very small compared to so many others. So I am very thankful for what we have, what we can do, and the wonderful souls we have in our lives for support–like you! xxxxxx
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Oh my Jean, bless your heart and those of all the family. I can’t imagine having to home school, although I have many friends who have done so. But all of them have been in remote cities/countries where in-person school was not an option. Stay sane.
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