With the promise of a perfect Spring day (forecast 23°C), a healthy total of 17 walkers assembled at MacMasters Beach, prior to a car
shuffle to the starting point of Dingldei Shed near Mt Bouddi. Leading were John G and Bill S followed by John B, Chris B and Chris C, Polly, Elaine E, Ros G, Pragati, Mary, Kas, Dawn, Bert, Barbara, Anne R and Don W. Heading off at 9:40am the group descended Mount Bouddi spur to the intersection with Bouddi Coastal Trail, enjoying some spectacular coastal views from time to time. A short Southbound deviation to Bouddi Headland at the Northern end of Maitland Bay and it was time for morning tea with a wonderful vista of Broken Bay, the Bombora and the coastline South – all the way to North Head.
Returning Northwards — back up the hill — wasn’t quite as much fun, but as we levelled out, then descended to Caves Gully, and then ascended again to reach Bombi Moor there were more beautiful coastal vistas. A breather and a drink stop at the top were well appreciated, as Don W, Chris C and Pragati demonstrate:
Onwards and upwards — but more gradually this time — we walked on. Until Chris C took the leaders to task and made them swear not to lead the group astray — or there would be no after-lunch peppermints!
A suitably chastened, the leaders walked on across Bombi Moor until the welcome descent to Little Beach — and lunch:
Lunch over, the leaders seemed to have lost their walkers — Bill to John: “I’m sure they were all here a moment ago...”
Reunited, it was another steep, and fairly rough, ascent to Mourawaring Moor and our first brush with civilisation as we started to pass private properties bordering the Moor. Then it was side-trip to Mourawaring (or Second) Point and follow the leader (if you can find him!):
Then right on cue — as arranged during the recce — a couple of frolicking whales appeared — to the delight of all! Hill View walks — does it ever get better than this?
And by the way, did I mention the wildflowers? Not to be outdone by any passing whales, the Flannel Flowers seemed to be at their peak on this walk:
A bit of street walking and it was back to MacMasters Beach at 1:40pm and the end of a beautiful walk — 8.7km on the John B distance meter — and then into the coffee shop in the Surf Lifesaving building for a well earned reward — some bucked tradition and had ice-creams — while others had industrial sized iced coffees (where was the photographer when she was needed to record this?). And while the final car shuffle took place, two walkers even had a swim (Ros & Pragati).
Report by John G Photos by Ros G