The Waratah Track is a 5km file-trail from West Head Road to a viewing point high above the Coal and Candle Creek.
Thanks to recent rains the trees are looking very healthy, the wild flowers are blooming and 16 walkers set out to enjoy the experience of walking in overcast conditions
with occasional showers of light rain.

Three photographers recorded the day.

From Pete:

2020 08 07 Reg Pete 14
                                        Leader Michael, hand on heart, addresses attentive troops. A rock appears to hold fellow leader Helen A's interest.


2020 08 07 Reg Pete 022020 08 07 Reg Pete 10
                                        Martin, Kurt, Anne G and Lyn happy on track. Bert is more reflective. 'Didn't I leave this weather behind in Scotland?'

2020 08 07 Reg Pete 062020 08 07 Reg Pete 082020 08 07 Reg Pete 09
Fragile rock erodes to give a beautiful peep-hole; grubs have been busy on the Scribbly Gum Eucalyptus haemastoma; hardy tessilated rock makes walking easy. 


2020 08 07 Reg Pete 05
                                                                                                             
Leaving the lunch-time view.

From Lilian:

2020 08 07 Reg Lilian IMG 21052020 08 07 Reg Lilian IMG 21202020 08 07 Reg Lilian IMG 2138
                          At least it isn't raining;                                         Helen A on solid ground;                                                  whatever the topic, consesus has to be reached.

From Lyn:

2020 08 07 Reg Lyn IMG 12672020 08 07 Reg Lyn IMG 12652020 08 07 Reg Lyn IMG 1262
'The boronia is growing in front of the burnt gum, not on it';   A view through  to Coal and Candle Creek; 'The persoonia has water drops on it. That’s why it is included'-Lyn.


And from the leaders:
2020 08 07 Reg HelenA Emergency Plus Snip
Sadly, towards the end of the walk, a walker fell on the rubbly terrain. Later a broken ankle was confirmed.
The leaders would like to thank the stoic walker; the group who assisted with first aid; the other walkers who promptly vacated the scene to finish their walk; and Grant and Darren - perfect ambos.
All phones should have this app
Search your App Store for 'Emergency Plus'
  
2020 08 07 Reg HelenA Emergency Plus Logo

 

 

From the editor, who was fascinated by a couple of Pete's photos:
The Scibbly Gum and tessilated rocks.
The zig-zag tracks or ‘scribbles’ are made by the moth grub as it tunnels between the old and new bark. Every year when the tree sheds the old bark, new markings are revealed.


2020 08 07 Reg Scribbly Moth NSW Govta2020 08 07 Reg Scribbly Moth CSIRO        2020 08 07 Reg Public tessilated rock explanation


For the record
Recconoiterers were Michael and Sue, Kurt and Helen A
On walk day:
Leaders Helen A and Michael, and Nick B, Elaine, Sue F, Anne G, Martin, Lilian, Lyndy, Bert, Elizabeth P, Bella and Pete, Kurt, Lyn, Bill T.
At the start, first-aiders were Lyndy and Bert. Later others also stepped up. Bert contacted 'Emergency Plus'.
Pete was tail-end Charlie.

Photos: Pete 1-7, Lilian 8-10, Lyn 11-13, a phone 14-16, 17-NSW Govt, 18-CSIRO, 19-Public Domain.