After Making Sure That Our Cars Were Cosy Together Amongst The Oak Trees We Crossed The Hawkesbury River By Ferry To Start Our Walk At Devines Hill
There was an excellent group of walkers who showed their ‘Plus’ skills by rapidly ascending the Old Northern Road up Devines Hill and happily waited whilst two other walkers examined all the notices detailing the history of this superb Convict Road. It is a fascinating story and an incredible engineering achievement using solely manual labour and hand implements.
Hangmans Rock On Devines Hill
This good camaraderie continued for the rest of the day. Morning tea was taken on a ridge overlooking the Macdonald river.
We then continued along Finches line which had been abandoned when Governor Darling decided that it was not good enough for his horse drawn carriage.
Gymea Lillies Which Are Indigenous To The Sydney Basin Were A Feature Of Finches Line
Lt. Finch claimed that his Line did offer much better views and we did enjoy some great sights of the two rivers and of Wisemans Ferry. However, its construction was much cruder and unfortunately it had not been maintained. The final notice informed us that Lt. Finch had fathered ten children and had died on the horns of a bull.
Thus, he achieved much more fame than the surveyor/ builder of the old Northern Road!
Photographers Nick, Deidre and Hazel At Work
Views Toward Dharug National Park Of The Hawksbury And MacDonald Rivers From Our Lunch Spot
After Lunch We Followed Finches Line Back To Wisemans Ferry Road, Then Enjoyed Another Ferry Ride And Coffee In Wisemans Ferry
Autumn Leaves At Wisemans Ferry
Nick B and Martin Led Walkers: Deidre, Kaz, Louis, Don B, Hazel, Nick S and Pragati.
(with thanks to tail ender "red socks" Don B and First Aiders Deidre and Kaz.)
Photographs By: Deidre (13,14,15,17), Louis (1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,16), Nick S (2).