The group disembarked at Coalcliff Station, and gathered around Leader Clive for a briefing.
The map shows the walking route to Austinmer Station, and the view from above Coalcliff hints at some of the climb to come.
2018 07 27 Plus Clive 1201 22018 07 27 Plus Barb 0925 P1232270 832
2018 07 28 PublicDomain Google


2018 07 27 Plus Clive 1200 12018 07 27 Plus Barb 1034 P1232270 839Morning tea was on the escarment, overlooking the Stanwell Park viaduct to the north west, and Stanwell Tops and Stanwell Park to the north.

2018 07 27 Plus Barb 1112 P1232270 8512018 07 27 Plus Barb 1036 P1232270 842Leader Clive poses next to an appropriate sign headed 'Suited for Hardship'. The rock on the right seems to have endured some of that.

2018 07 27 Plus Drina 1053 2a Gymea lily in bloom2018 07 27 Plus Drina 1109 2. Interesting tree shapes after morning teaA gymea lily spotted off the track.Tail-end Charlie Don B identifies with a grand old tree.

2018 07 27 Plus Barb 1215 P1232270 860Lunch time and an view to Saddleback Mounatin near Kiama.

2018 07 27 Plus Drina 1326 3. Bert and Barbara enjoying the ferns2018 07 27 Plus Drina 1422 5. Welcome break after fast pace to reach coffeeStill short of the summit, but Bert and Barbara aren't bothered. Clive and Don B seem happy enough, as well.

2018 07 27 Plus Drina 1439 6a Coffee at last 12018 07 27 Plus Drina 1440 6a Coffee at last 2And how to celebrate arriving at the summit? How else?

2018 07 27 Plus Barb 1457 P1232270 8832018 07 27 Plus Susan P10804292018 07 27 Plus Susan P1080437Between coffee and the next challenge,a Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans, fungus on bark and Coastal Wattle Acacia sophorae.

2018 07 27 Plus Drina 1512 7. Clive and Celia start the descent 2018 07 28 PublicDomain Aussie Bushwalking ladders2018 07 27 Plus Drina 1521 8. Bert and Steve getting to bottom of the ladders2018 07 27 Plus Barb 1528 P1232270 896You need a head for heights.Leaders Clive and Celia start first-some of what's ahead-Steve and Bert on the way down-Tail-end Don B arrives.
7 ladders done. Mission accomplished? No, not yet ...

2018 07 27 Plus Barb 1527 P1232270 8952018 07 27 Plus Barb 1530 P1232270 897...some say 500 steps. 'If you fall it's a long way down'. At least Maurice is looking confident.


2018 07 27 Plus Barb 1613 P1232270 908Not a spectacular scene. But sometimes 'Railway Ave' is a very welcome sign!

And from Leader Clive 'Just a brief note about our Plus walk. It was a brilliant day.
There were 16 on the walk and they are as follows:- Barbara, Drina, Steve, Guenter, John & Ros, Maurice & Susan, Bert, Pragati, Celia (co-leader), Mary, Vreni, Don B, Clive and Justin (visitor).'

Photos: Clive (1, 4-both taken on a recee), Barbara (2, 5, 6, 7,10, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24), Drina (8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20), Susan (16, 17), Public domain-Google (3), Public domain-Aussie Walks (19).