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It can be hard to predict who’ll turn up for an EZY walk these days. As 19 walkers congregated on Platform 23 at Central to catch the 8:33am Campbelltown train, there was a heady mix of walking talent from Plus walkers down to one of our Legendary Social Walkers (Hello Jean…) – and then there was another Legend: Ray (welcome back – good to see you – it’s been quite a while!).
Meeting joyously at Central Gladys' reminder that she has bought some new trains Waiting to change trains at Campbelltown
This one was not brand new! Leader helping his flock to leave Picton Station The first climb - out of Picton Station
On a warm sunny day (hardly felt like 2 months into Autumn) we set out from Picton Station (completed in 1863 to a Georgian style design attributed to John Whitton) and had morning tea on the banks of Stonequarry Creek – almost in the shadow of the historic railway viaduct over the creek (commenced in 1862, it is 84m long and with five arches 24m above Stonequarry Creek it is the oldest existing stone archway railway bridge over water in NSW). HVB readers, having already detected that Don Browne was one of the walk’s leaders, will by now have divined that there was always going to be a bit of railway history in the mix for this walk – and so there was.
Viaduct marked by stone walls either side of tracks Near-new viaduct with steam train of the times (and historic details provided by Ray).
Viewing the viaduct The keystone The sunny side
Morning tea by Stonequarry Creek Two stalwarts, and those red socks not seen for many moons
Further Picton highlights included the Toll House (1867) – one of the first examples of career flexibility in NSW Government service – the toll collector (on the Great South Road – later the Hume Highway) also doubled as the gatekeeper for the railway level crossing at this point. The Redbank Range railway tunnel followed (made redundant in 1919 when the railway line was relocated) and then it was into Picton proper, past the George IV Inn (1839), Stonequarry Creek road bridge (1899), St. Marks Church of England (1857) and then on to Picton Botanical Gardens – small, but beautifully maintained – for lunch.
The Tollhouse Distant view of Picton Station A very scenic village!
Abandoned Redbank Tunnel - entrance............ and on the inside
Stonequarry Creek Bridge, Hume Hwy, Picton cbd View of the Creek from Bridge - no floods this month!
HVB walkers contemplating their future Ray thought this sign said something about the town
Lunch in the Botanic Gardens
Botanic Gardens Folly Native Bee shelter
A short stroll back through the gardens after lunch took us back into town past the Picton Court House (1864), the former Post Office (1892), a former bank building (1855 –a fine example of Victorian architecture – complete with restored coach house and barn), and on to Picton Town Square and the coffee shop de jour – which turned out to be rather busy for a Friday lunchtime – but they coped admirably with a sudden influx of 19 customers. Well, almost coped, I think the owner probably reached for the cooking sherry immediately upon our departure to ease the stress of our visit.
Old Post Office and Bank buildings Converted stables Coffee in the Town Square
This building was the Feather and Fur factory Restored Picton Signal Box
And so, onto the leisurely final leg of the walk which took us back to the station to await the 2:54 pm train home. And speaking of trains, our LLLs (Lydia and Lyndy Ladies) almost managed to recruit a new member to Hill View as we travelled the rail network. Not content with chatting up Andrew on the trip down in the morning, they continued the chat as Andrew joined us for the return trip to Macarthur – only for Andrew to join us on the train yet again at Campbelltown… by which time he was greeted rowdily (not a quiet carriage) by the group like a long lost friend!
LEADERS: John G & Don B
WALKERS: Ruth, Ros, Ray, Aileen, Sue & Andy, Lilian, Lyndy, Jean McD, Dawn, Lydia, Robyn & Rex, Bill S, Rosemary and Kevin, Don Wo.
PHOTOS: Lyndy L (11); Ray (4,7,8,18,23,); Lilian (6,12,15,16,26,30,32); Don Wo (1,2,3,5,9,10,13,14,17,19,20,21,22,24,25,27,28,29,31,33)