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The walk comprised two separate walks with a short car trip in between, to the start of each.
To comply with Covid restrictions, the leaders decided that a short distance before the starting point of the two walks, drivers would be directed to one of the two starting points enabling a roughly equal split in numbers between the two groups. Group A had seventeen walkers and Group B started off with sixteen which reduced to thirteen after their first walk.
The reporter walked with the B Group which commenced with the O’Hara’s Creek walk named after James O’Hara the first settler in the area. Setting off along a sandstone ridge we descended on a fire trail down to O’Hara’s Creek to a valley of tall trees including Sydney Blue Gums and a rather swollen creek from the recent rain. After walking along a rather wet track close to the creek we stopped for morning tea at some rocks at a spot which at least afforded some less damp places to sit. Refreshed, we retraced our steps climbing out of the valley. Once back up at the ridge we took a small deviation through the bush before re-joining the track and arriving back at our cars to drive to the start of the Nyari Gully Walk.
The second walk was a circuit and commenced by descending via Scaly Bark Creek track to the creek before then walking along the rather swollen Guppy Creek. In the early days the Rollason family grew water melons and turf in this area. On both walks we also saw evidence of fresh cattle grazing. Walking along the creek we observed an open dry spot selected by the Group A for morning tea which proved an excellent place for lunch. Some creeks were crossed on this section aided by Steve and the prior strategic placement of rocks in the middle of the creek by Group A. The final ascent back to the cars was on a steep rubbly fire trail which served as good cardiac training for future walks.
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Heath Myrtle / Trigger Plant / The Purple Pea
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Morning tea on the Nyari Gully Trail
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Grevillea Speciosa
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Nyari Gully Trail
Lunch O'Hara's Creek track
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For the caffeine addicts, a local café in the Kenthurst Shopping Centre proved the ideal spot with some opting for a sit down coffee whilst others had a take-away in the park just opposite.
Walkers
Group A: Deidre led sixteen walkers Bronwyn, Sue B, Barbara C, Elaine E, Sue and Michael, Martin, Lyndy, Kas, John M, Elizabeth P, Guenter, Vreni, Sue S, Drina, Peter T. Tail End Charlie Sue S and First Aider Lyndy.
Group B: Bert and Kurt led fourteen walkers; Helen A, Wendy C, Lydia, Steve, John and Pat, Pete and Bella, Barbara R, David R, Don Wa, Don Wo and a visitor. Tail End Nick B, First Aider Barbara.
Photography: Barbara C: 5,12. Bert: 1, 2, 4, 6, 11,17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23. Deidre: 10, 20, 24. Don Wo; 26. Pete: 15, 25. Sue S: 3, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 27.