The clouds cleared as 11 walkers gathered at the Mud Brick building in the main picnic area of Kincumber Mountain. 
The scenic ridge top reserve has views of the ocean and Brisbane Water. The sun appeared as we headed out of the car park along the Kanning walk.
The walk passed into undergrowth along the base of a long rock wall where attentive eyes saw Rock Orchids Denrobium speciosum in flower.
We then found a large sandstone cave, reputed to be occupied during the 1930’s. About 25 minutes after the start we met the junction of Yanina walk. The fire trail winds through fern, palm and tall-wooded forest. We diverted to Nyari lookout ...
... with filtered views over Erina and a small section of Brisbane Water to Rumbalara reserve.
Returning along the track we continued to Colin Watters lookout for morning tea
(not shared with the local kookaburra) and with good views down Pickettts valley to Avoca Lake and Beach.
We took a link track to join the Sid Pulsford track. As we walked along the wide fire trail one walker tripped on a large piece of heavy plastic protruding from the road and fell heavily on their left shoulder. Maurice and Susan volunteered as escorts to Gosford Hospital for X-Rays. The 8 remaining continued west along the Sid Pulsford track. The track had 2 steep downhill sections, requiring careful management on the rubble surface.
(Seen 'along the way': 'Some colour' and Flannel Flowers Actinotus helianthi enhancing a dried wood arrangement:)
We found a short bush track which Anne R had marked with a stick in a hollow tree on our recce, avoiding another down and up, and joined the track to the By-pass rest area where we had lunch at the top of the hill. The clearing had views over Erina and Rumbalara and Katandra Reserves.
We then made our way back to the picnic area where the trio from the hospital were waiting with the news that the shoulder had no break.
We finished with coffee at Kincumber Village coffee shop, joined by Anne G's son - visiting from Peru with his fiancée. (A note from Don W: 'Had an interesting talk to Anne's son - he is a hydrogeologist [but a real one, not a pensioned off one!].')
Leaders Anne R, Anne G followed by Maurice and Susan, Barry, Christine McA, Robyn M, Lea, Wendy P, Don W and a visitor.
Words by Anne G. Photos by Christine McA (1,3,7), Don W (2,4-6) and Anne G (8).