2020 09 18 RegWalk PeteR ViewoverBrisbaneWaters bL ZlpQ

The pre-registration system worked well and 34 walkers arrived on the waterfront at Woy Woy on a heavily overcast and chilly morning. On arrival, each walker was immediately triaged into one of two groups. The groups then assembled separately at least 50 metres apart and remained independent of each other throughout the day. The first group, led by Martin and Lyndy, was given 10 minutes start by the second group (lead by Michael and Sue).
The walk proceeded along the tranquil waterfront reserve to the Morning Tea spot at its far end. Towards the end of this section, the infamous (from its odour point of view) sandbank with its multitude of roosting pelicans and other seabirds was its usual busy self.
2020 09 18 Reg HelenA edgeofBrisbaneWaters 093141b2020 09 18 Reg HelenA BrickWorksRoad 092952b
                                                                                Scenes directly opposite each other......house in Brick Works Road and Brisbane Waters edge                                                                        2020 09 18 RegWalk AnneR Royal spoonbills  2020 09 18 RegWalk DonWo Sleepy pelicans                                                                                    Sleepy Pelicans                                                                                                                                                Royal Spoonbills                                               2020 09 18 RegWalk MargaretP 0949002020 09 18 RegWalk DonWo Easy walking around Brisbane Waters                                                              Easy walking around Brisbane Waters                                                                                                                   A very tranquil Brisbane Waters
Following the break, there was a fair bit of street walking to the next point of interest  -  Governor Phillip Reserve, at the southern end of The Rip Bridge. This reserve contains two monuments commemorating Phillip’s initial arrival in Brisbane Water in March 1789 and Hunter’s more extensive exploration a little while later.
2020 09 18 RegWalk DonWo gov philip memorial2020 09 18 RegWalk MargaretP grouponbendofroad 101310

The climb to the top of Blackwall Mountain then followed. This is a short but steep, in parts, climb up the northern ridge of the mountain and was successfully completed in great style by all who attempted it. In transit, a large & interesting “grove” of Cycads and various, but limited, wildflowers can be observed while pausing for breath at the steeper “jump-ups”. The climb is revealed to be well worthwhile when rewarded on reaching the summit ridge by magnificent views of the lower part of Brisbane Water and of Broken Bay - once one can lift one’s eyes over the charming (!) rooftops of Ettalong.
2020 09 18 RegWalk PeteR bushonBlackwallMt xPCOnDeA2020 09 18 RegWalk PeteR climbingBlackwallMt iFiWW9QQ
                                                                                 Climbing to the top of Blackwall Mountain and attractive rock formations and bush on the upward climb
2020 09 18 RegWalk PeteR burntouttree IxO7Uwow2020 09 18 RegWalk AnneR Eriostemum 1
2020 09 18 RegWalk PeteR orchid jPnb6ikg
                     Above....Native Iris Patersonia sericea
                     Top....Wax Flower Eriostemon australasius                  

2020 09 18 RegWalk MargaretP rooftops 112321  2020 09 18 RegWalk DonWo clourful wildflowers                                                                                 Colourful wildflowers                                                                                                                                         View over the rooftops                                                

Lunch was taken on the summit ridge before visiting another lookout and then descending the main fire trail to the water tank on the western side and ultimately back down to the eastern end of the waterfront reserve.  The final stretch of the walk back to Woy Woy through the length of the reserve retraced the outward journey with a fine mist of “Irish Rain” operating as a cooling device for most of the way.                                                                                                                                                                             2020 09 18 RegWalk DonWo Ettalong fromlunch spot                                                                                                                              View over Ettalong from lunch spot                                                                                                                      
 2020 09 18 RegWalk DonWo ridge top Mt Blackwall after lunch2020 09 18 RegWalk DonWo lunch spot                                                                                       Lunch spot                                                                                                                                 Ridgetop Mt Blackwell after lunch             
2020 09 18 RegWalk DonWo another view of rip bridge                                                                                                                                                             Rip Bridge
2020 09 18 RegWalk AnneR A game of quoits  2020 09 18 RegWalk AnneR Red wattlebird
                                         Red Wattlebird                                                                                                                                            A game of quoits
Due to the size of the groups, no formal coffee arrangement had been made but most weary walkers found their way to several of the coffee houses close to the well-known waterfront Fish & Chip palace, some siting inside and some taking takeaways closer to the waterfront.
A very pleasant walk enjoyed by all on a day with good, if cool, walking conditions.
2020 09 18 RegWalk PeteR pelican F046qzXg2020 09 18 RegWalk PeteR birdsoverwater oP5XNBhw

The walkers were:
Group A
Martin & Lyndy (Leaders), Helen A, Bronwyn, John B, Elaine, Judy G, Ros G, Bert, Steve and Jan, Claude & Margaret, Elizabeth, Bella and Pete, Anne R.
First-Aider: Lyndy
Tail-end Charlie: Claude
Group B
Michael & Sue (Leaders), Tim, Annette & David, Vivienne, John G, Aileen, Andy and Sue, Helen L, Cherry, Lydia, John M, Don and Visitor Millie Wa, Don Wo.
First-Aider: Don Wo
Tail-end Charlies: David (first part) & John G (second part)

The pre-registration system was instrumental in helping the official leaders (Michael & Sue) plan and recruit the resources and design the protocols needed to cater for over 20 walkers.
Many thanks to Martin & Lyndy for taking on the leadership role for Group A and to the First Aiders & Tail-End Charlies.

Words by Mike F

Photos by Pete R (1, 10, 11, 13, 14, 23, 24), Helen A (2, 3), Don Wo (4, 6, 9, 15, 17-20), Anne R  (5, 12, 21, 22), Margaret P (7, 8, 16)