The unexpected occurs suddenly and without notice, (how’s that for tautology) so the development of a poisoned hand with infection already showing signs of travelling up the arm meant one of the leaders was not able to perform her duties.
However one leader and 12 co-leaders departed Wiseman’s Ferry at 9.30am. The party consisted of a number of the old guard; Peter and Cherry, Claude and Margaret, Vreni, Don W, Chris McA, Sue B, Sue F, Barrie, yours truly and relative newcomer Lyndy and we welcomed a really new walker Margaret W, brought along by Vreni.
Fearlessly crossing the, not very raging, waters and overcoming all signs of seasickness the party disembarked, farewelled the captain and made their way over the oldest bridge on mainland Australia towards Devines Hill.
Leader and 12 co-leaders setting out!
The ascent was slowed considerably by the many interesting, entertaining and informative signs along the track, before morning tea was taken in the old stockade area. Possibly able to keep convicts in leg irons in, this party left the area to the ants, and continued past the intersection with Shepherds Gully and on to the Finchs Line turn off. En route, a working culvert prepared by the National Parks, to show what we had walked over, was inspected.
Hangman's Rock....nice view from up there, Claude?
The gang at the intersection with Shepherds Gully Road Beautiful but deadly!
This section is easy level walking, and lunch was taken at Finchs Line South viewpoint. Perfect weather, accompanied magnificent views over WF, the Hawkesbury and MacDonald confluence.
What a view for lunch!
After lunch a further level walk brought us to where, any who had brought one, had to dismount from their bicycle. No one seemed too upset and a steep descent brought us down to the road back to the ferry. Finchs Line was declared by Governor Darling as ‘too steep and too narrow’ hence it was abandoned and a new road, Devines Hill, surveyed.
The last 1½ km along the road passed uneventfully and the ferry took us back to the coffee shop and a premature celebration of Claude’s ‘significant’ birthday.
Happy birthday to you.........happy birthday to you........happy birthday, Claude!!
Words by Maurice. Photos by Chris McA (1-6 and 8) and Lyndy (7)