It was another perfect May morning when both the Plus and Regular walkers converged at Circular Quay to catch the 8.48am Parramatta River ferry. Most crowded together at the front of the ferry, taking the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sparkling harbour/river.
The 19 Plus walkers disembarked at Huntleys Point wharf at Gladesville to do a 17 kilometre circuit on the eastern, then western banks of the Lane Cove River.This was a new walk for HVB and there was unanimous agreement about its success.
The walk passed under the Gladesville bridge and over Tarban Creek bridge to Hunters Hill where the previous sites of Mary Reiby's 1835 house and the 1856 St Malo house were pointed out. Both buildings were demolished in 1960 for the construction of the Gladesville/Tarban Creek/Figtree Bridges despite a 12 year campaign to save them, led by the newly formed National Trust.
From Figtree Bridge there was a clear view of the small cottages built by Mary Reiby in 1835 and added to by the Joubert families who owned St Malo.
A walk through Cunninghams Reach Park and Linley Point streets brought us to a rather special morning tea stop in the garden of 1885 Carisbrook House, owned by Lane Cove Council.
A track through beautiful bushland was accessed just north of Carisbrook,following the eastern bank of Lane Cove River through Lovetts Reserve and Blackman Park to Stringybark Creek.
Here were indications of past industrial activity in Lane Cove West. The leaders decided to introduce a new look in walking gear - face masks were obediently put on as we skirted an asbestos contaminated site. Walkers going the other way must have been curious and amused!
We were nearly half way as we reached Epping Road and the footbridge over the river to Magdala Park from where the Great North Walk was followed south through Lane Cove NP to our just mown lunch spot at Sugarloaf Point and on to Buffalo Creek Reserve and Boronia Park.
After crossing busy Ryde Road, we enjoyed the historic houses of quiet Mary Street, Hunters Hill and made our way to a coffee shop (Three Beans and worth "plugging") with tables prepared for us.
Here the leaders learnt a salutary lesson. It is not wise to have coffee near public transport before a walk ends. First two scampered off, then another,then 7 more! Anarchy!
The stalwart 9 enjoyed the descent to Tarban Creek and Riverglade Reserve at Huntleys Cove before walking under Burns Bay Road and scurrying down the hill to just catch the 3.30pm ferry to Circular Quay (where perhaps coffee should have been planned....)
It was another superb HVB adventure.
"The walk passed under the Gladesville Bridge ......"
Fig Tree House, south of the Figtree Bridge
Morning Tea at Carisbrook House Enjoying a break at Lovetts Reserve
Saltmarsh Reserve along Lane Cove River
Lunch at Sugarloaf Point
Mangroves at a promentary south of Buffalo Creek
For the record:The walkers led by Polly and Barbara were 
Nick, Clive, John B, Chris B, Wendy C, Maurice, Susan, Elaine E, Anne G, Ros G, Pragati, Kas, Christine M previously C, Bert, Sheila, Kurt and our new member, Michael.
All photos by Wendy C