19 May - EZY Walk: Lane Cove Valley - Ferndale Creek Track

                                                                       2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi group at Ferndale Park 20230519 103011                                                                                                               Part of the group at Ferndale Park 

On Friday, sixteen eager and inquisitive walkers met outside the Steamtrain Café in Chatswood Plaza in order to explore part of the “Rail to River   Track ” (or Ferndale Loop Track) on the western side of the Pacific Highway.

First stop was Kenneth Slessor Park which has copper engravings echoing the nature of Slessor’s poem “Five Bells” (the stimulus for John Olsen’s painting in the Opera House). Elizabeth gave a rendition of Slessor’s “Bluebird” which set the scene for an informative tour.

Gathering our wits, we walked down numerous steps and slopes passing a beautifully maintained Chatswood suburban home dating from the early 20th Century. Normally, honey could be purchased from the verandah although the large dog guarding the honey was not in the mood for orders. Many of us noted the classical lines of the house.

Soon we arrived at Bartel’s Park which was a great spot for morning tea. It was here that the leaders informed the group that this walk was NOT a walk in the park owing to the many mossy steps and creek crossings ahead of us. These proved to be a challenge for a few however, not-a-one hesitated but embraced the challenge with gusto.

Proceeding into this wonderland of tall tree ferns and even taller trees, we passed some truly beautiful ferns including the rare gristle fern with its pinky-red hued juvenile leaves. Our group negotiated the tricky steps and even trickier creek crossing with total aplomb. A big shout-out has to go to Nic whose knees are not yet back to their former ability or mobility and yet he pushed on regardless.

 2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi ferns 1 IMG 0824        2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi ferns 2 IMG 0825        2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi ferns 3 IMG 0828                                                                                                  There were lots of ferns!  

 

                                   2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi creek IMG 0833     2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi creek 2 IMG 0831                                                                                                                                                                                                                             And there were creeks        

                                                                                                            

           2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi Sue b 20230519 102101       2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi lyndy and John IMG 20230519 WA0008      2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi yndy and Robyn with their nest                                                           Passing a friendly tree                                   Leader with hungry follower                                         Leaders with their nest 

 

                  2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi elkhorn IMG 0830     2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi group 20230519 102117     2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi nice easy trackIMG 0823                                                           Spectacular elkhorn                                  Our group on the track                                                            The track our group was on

 

                                        2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi painted tree 20230519 113935           2023 05 19 EZY Robyn Mi relaxing M T IMG 0835                                                                                                  A painted tree?                                                 Relaxing for morning tea      

The light filtering through the leaves on the trees danced beside us and birds welcomed us into the wonders of their worlds.

We reached the half-way point and crossed the river to return home. Making our way back up out of the gully we stopped for lunch once we reached the top, then a short street walk to coffee. All had made it safely home!

 

2023 05 19 EZY Sue B 20230519 101238                                                                                                                            A happy group!

 

Lyndfy and Elizabeth led Nick B, David R, Pat, Robyn and Rex, John M, Aileen, Judy, Camelia,Sue B, Dennis and visitors Cliff and Nerissa

Words: Lyndy

Photos: Robyn Mi (1-14), Sue B (15)