Despite the continuing Sydney rain, the leaders were very pleased when NPWS re-opened the Great North Walk (GNW) between Cowan and Brooklyn shortly before the due date for this walk. But then the forecast for our Friday walk looked less than encouraging with a rain forecast of 95% rain and 15 - 25mm.
Undaunted, and arriving by car and train, 13 members turned up at McKell Park Brooklyn to walk – hooray! Setting off in steady, but light, rain, the walkers stretched their legs at sea level rounding Flat Rock Point to Parsley Bay, before tackling the very steep ascent up the concrete firetrail to the ridge overlooking Brooklyn. Then the firetrail – which is the route of the GNW in this locality – continued towards Cowan with a few ups and downs before reaching the ‘Railway Dam’ and morning tea in the rain. Leader Don, HVB’s resident railway history buff, gave us a bit of the story of the difficult construction of the railway north from Sydney in the mid to late 19th century, and how this remarkable dam was built to provide water vital for the operation of the railway steam engines.
Suitably fortified by morning tea we continued on before another series of steep climbs brought us to the top of the ridge and a nice rock shelf for our lunch spot – reputedly with fine views of the Hawkesbury. Looking out upon the expanse of misty rain and low clouds, not everyone was convinced! But, lo and behold, the clouds parted and the mist lifted tantalisingly – and there was a monotone view of the, admittedly very muddy, Hawkesbury River – from the M1 road bridge to the railway bridge – and a distant glimpse of Mt. Wondabyne: a wonder to behold!
While lunching, we were surprised to be joined by the Plus walkers (yes, all three of them!), who had walked from Cowan on the GNW – also heading for Brooklyn.
After lunch it was all downhill, literally, as we retraced our steps to Brooklyn with the rain all but gone. Avoiding the dreaded steep concrete ramp by taking (very carefully) the former route of the GNW down through the bush to street level – it was then only a short walk to the café for some very welcome coffees – and then home.
Words: John G
Leaders: Don B and John G
Walkers: Barbara C, Rhondda, Anne G, Ros, Lyndy, John M, Margaret & Claude, Elizabeth P, Lyn, Louis with Leaders Don B & John G
Photos: John G (1), Barbara C (4,7) and Louis (2,3,5,6)
