Leaders Anne R and Anne G and 20 others set out from Taronga Zoo wharf in warm but overcast weather. Morning tea was taken at Bradleys Head.
When we reached Middle Head we detoured to view the 1801 Fort, which was reached by the Don Goodsir walk.
Then our group walked out to Middle Head where we enjoyed lunch and the view in a cooling breeze. After some history from Laurie on the tunnels and then viewing them (from above ground only) we continued on to Balmoral Beach for a welcome coffee - iced for many of us - to celebrate our achievement.
MT at Bradleys Head. Two guests settle down on an ancient table and wait for their share in front of Sydney's modern infrastructure. At the same spot another ancient looks up hopefully.
From Anne R: 'The Don Goodsir walk is a memorial to Don who died of cancer in 2010.
Don found the 1801 Fort (the knowledge of its' existence had been lost). It was a struggle to have the walk constructed with the fort finally opening to the public in 2010.
The fort was built by Governor King in 1801 because of the French scare with the Napoleonic Wars.
Don and his wife, Julie, were involved with the formation and work of the Headland Preservation Group.
The fight to save Middle Head has now gone on since 1996!!!'-
And from Anne E:
I too knew Don Goodsir and his wife, Julie. Don and I were school inspectors at the same time and even served on the Gould League Committee together, until my boss decided it was irrelevant! Julie and I both belonged to the same church fellowship back when we were teenagers. I remember her telling me about an amazing incident when she was still in primary school and lived down Wollongong way. She had a horse and used to jump over the low back fence on the way home. One day her mother had left the clothes line propped the wrong way and Julie was pulled off the horse by the line, landed on her head which split and bled profusely. She went to the back door and her mother promptly fainted at the sight of blood everywhere. Julie then went to the neighbour's house and sensibly said don't open the door just call an ambulance. No more fainting and many stitches later order was restored. They are definitely people not to forget.'
John G on the pointy end of Middle Head
Lunch on Middle Head. Above one of the tunnel entrances, some looked at the view... 'What view?' asked those in the gun emplacement concrete....
..... but all enjoyed the company and chat. Don B, Bert, Anne R, Pragati, Wendy P ...... and also Mary and Kas
Coffee at Balmoral, looking across the road to the beach and to an unusual Port Jackson fig Ficus rubiginosa. (And Mazda might be the shares to buy.)
For the record the walkers were Leaders Anne G and Anne R then Don B, Lawrie, John G, Pragati, Dawn, Bert, Kurt, Faye, Don W, Barbara, Wendy P, Kas, Mary, Ray, Helen A, Ros G, Sue B, Clive and 2 visitors.
Words by Anne R with a contribution from Anne E. Photos by Don W nos. 1,7,8; Anne R no. 2; Ray nos. 3,5,6,9 and Barbara no. 4.