12 April - Regular Walk: Como / Oatley Park / Lime Kiln Bay

The day was cloudy, with patches of sunshine – ideal for the twenty walkers who set off from Como Station.

First stop was the Como Hotel, in front of which Martin spoke of the history of the hotel and the adjacent Como Pleasure Grounds. Given ten minutes or so to explore the Pleasure Grounds, discipline held and no-one delayed the restart by queuing to buy a take away coffee. Surely a first for HVB.

After crossing the old Como Railway Bridge,most of the group walked into the Myles Dunphy Reserve to inspect the large bat colony (no photos!), before joining the others for morning tea in the Oatley Memorial Gardens. A group photo as we left the gardens.

The streets we walked from Oatley Station to the Lime Kiln Wetlands were lined by avenues of trees of different species. Here on Wonoona Parade West, the Paperbark Tree Melaleuca quinquenervia. And then into the Wetlands where Tail-end Charlie and Michael find the way past the Grasstree Xanthorrhoea

Still in the Wetlands. No-one in HVB knows more about trees than Ros.
So? 'No idea what species it was however I did form the opinion that it was now quite dead. What caused the spiraling on the trunk, I haven't the foggiest.'
Lyndy knows and loves mangroves, but sadly another event claimed her attendance on the day. We missed her, and also her planned talk.

On to the headland that is Oakley Park. At left a view from the Headland Track, that winds around by the Lime Kiln and Jew Fish Bays. And above, 'The Castle' a feature on the headland. We had lunch on tables in the 'grounds' of the Castle.

After lunch, six early Exiteers took the fastest road route back to Oatley Station. The remaining fourteen continued along the headland Track before some street walking and coffee.
'Bitton' in Mulga Road is recommended without reservation. Good coffee, quick service, and if you are lucky, or rowdy, the Garden area at the back is made available.

For the record:
On the recce were Helen A, Lyndy and Martin. As mentioned above, Lyndy could not walk on the day.


Thus, Helen and Martin led Don B, Elaine E, Sue and Michael, Anne G, Ros and John, Linda, Christine McA, Dawn, Bert, Margaret P, Elizabeth P, Wendy P, Bella and Pete, Kurt, and Don Wo.

A special welcome to Linda her first walk as a paid-up member. 

Don B, wearing brown socks - not the usual high-viz red ones -  was Tail-end Charlie. He kept the group nice and tidy, no stragglers, and saw everyone safely through.

This meant that the First Aid officers, Anne G and Don Wo weren't called upon.

The backyard loo at Bitton.

Bert does not often send a photo. For those who may have forgotten his first, quite a contrast - from the Plus Walk on 07 July 2015-:

'Flowers to brighten the [overcast] day.'