Eleven walkers set off from Huntleys Point. From the ferry, we walked along the ridge to Gladesville Hospital. This was opened in 1838 as the Tarban Creek Lunatic Asylum. We admired the old buildings, some sandstone and some brick Federation buildings, as we walked down to Bedlam Bay. The path wandered through the now overgrown gardens of the old hospital to Rockend Cottage. This old stone cottage was the home of Emily Barton, ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s grandmother. He lived with her from 1874 to 1880 while he attended Sydney Grammar School. Robyn read the poem “Clancy of the Overflow”. We then went to Banjo Paterson Park, which was below the house on the shore of Looking Glass Bay, where we had morning tea.
Next was Glades Bay Park, where we inspected some aboriginal rock carvings of two wallabies. This park included a board walk through the mangroves. Next was Bill Mitchell Park, Morrisons Bay Park and Putney Park, where we had lunch. After lunch three walkers left the group. We continued on to Kissing Point, where two walkers caught the ferry.
The remaining six walkers continued on to Bennelong Park, where we learnt about James Squire, an early landowner who also ran a brewery and a tavern. He got on well with the aborigines and Bennelong was buried in his orchard. The walk continued to follow the shore of Parramatta River to Meadowbank, where we had coffee at the Shepherds Bay Village Plaza.
Leader Robyn Mi at the original Gladesville Hospital buildings built in 1838
The Oval with Gladesville House behind and Bedlam Bay in the background
The walkers assembled at guess where ? Missing- photographer Don Wo
Port Jackson fig at Gladesville Hospital Banjo Pattersn sculpture at Rockend Cottage
Robyn Mi reading "Clancy of the Overflow" outside "Banjo" Paterson's cottage
Morning Tea at Looking Glass Bay
View across Looking Glass Bay to historic house on Wharf Road
Bedlam Pt Wharf (1832) punt crossing point on the Great North Road Approaching Jetty Rd at Morrisons Bay
Aboriginal carvings at Glades Bay Park
Stone wall c1860 but what were they listening to? Reading the details at Bennelong's probable burial place formerly James Squire's orchard
Wind sculpture at Kissing Point symbolises the identity of the Wallumedegal people and their fishing practices
View to Rivendell and Rhodes from Kissing Point
Reading the plaque in Settlers Park, the site of the first settlement in the area in 1792
Barbara and Robyn led nine others:David C, Don Wa, Don Wo,Jean M, Lyndy, Margaret B, Robyn Ma, Sue F and a visitor
Photos:Barbara (1,2,4,7,8,9,10,13,14,15,16), Don Wo (3,5,6,12), Robyn Mi (11)
Words: Robyn Mi