Our fearless leader team
On a cold and wet day, 17 brave souls arrived at our meeting place under the Roseville bridge. Undeterred we started the walk briefing. Helen assured us it was, according to her App, (which is never wrong), that it would be perfectly clear soon...
Umm....
Well, we were there, and we were ready; so the decision was taken to start. We headed off with our wet weather gear on, and it did clear a little as we advanced along the Lyrebird Track; rather aptly named because some of our lucky walkers heard one!
Two left after the briefing - in summary it is going to be wet 
Staying dry as long as possible
Little birds were singing and were possibly Pardalotes judging by their behaviour and appearance. The obligatory Brush Turkeys were happy in the rain and may have wanted to join us because they are rejected by all their other feathered brethren. The line of walkers moved on and left them digging for worms. We also saw not one, but two wallabies.
Wet...but smiling... 
Evidence of previous wet years
The rain also decided it was not yet done and came back for another round. Undeterred we moved forward and saw a large group of kayakers paddling up the river. Was Claude amongst them; we looked, but alas he was not to be found. They quickly passed us, and we walked on around large pools of water now covering the track in many parts.
Kayaks - a better way to travel today? 
...and a moody view of the kayak flotilla
On the obstacle course 
onwards and upwards 
..still raining, but what view
A colourful array of people, and.. 
flowers
Hillview Walkers are an intrepid bunch and completely unfazed by these obstacles. Not so the large rock shelf we had to surmount. Wisely two of our group declined the opportunity to fall and break their legs on the steep, slippery surface. Lyn and Helen found a side way up and half the group followed them, whilst the remainder attempted to clamber up the not very easy ‘path’. Meeting up we ventured on and passed a magnificent grass river verge.
Quick morning tea 
keeping dry whilst eating 
but, still a bit soggy
The grassy verge 
We were reliably informed that the proper name for this plant is "long grass"
We had out morning tea on the fly and then marched onwards to the stepping stones. Beautiful photos will attest to its appeal and it was well worth the effort to get there. At this point, it was decided not to risk injury by crossing the stones, which had water gushing by them and would have presented a problem to all of us.
Stepping Stones look a bit tricky 
We made it this far..but no further 
Floral arrangement of Epacris
We headed back along the same track, passing the waterfalls and little birds. It was a case of
“Slip slidin’ away
Slip slidin’ away
You know the nearer our destination
The more we’re slip slidin’ away’
Even one of our leaders slipped (Lyndy) and joined Don, Theresa and Ros in the ‘casualties‘ group. Luckily nothing serious happened, even when Ros was attacked by a large stick. Arriving back at our starting point, we had our lunch and then headed off to coffee at Cornucopia Cafe Castle Cove.
It was a fun day out and much better than sitting at home.
Lunch at the dry table 
Lunch at the damp table 
Excellent venue for coffee
Leaders: David S (Standing in for Elizabeth who had to travel to Melbourne) many thanks and Lyndy
First Aid: Ros and Lyndy
Tail End: John G
The Group: Bill M (left before we started to walk), John S (ditto), David & Theresa, Don Wo, Elaine, Helen A, John & Ros G, Kurt, Lyn, Lyndy, Mary, Nick B, Tim.
Words: Lyndy
Photos: David S, Don Wo, Helen A, John G, Theresa