21 walkers met at the shopping centre across the road from Rhodes station. The walk was originally going to be in the Blue Mountains but was changed to a more local circuit along the Parramatta river due to one of the original leaders Phyllis having a leg injury and not having enough time for a recce. The weather was quite poor early on with a gusty wind and an overcast sky so it was a pleasant surprise to see so many walkers. We were fortunate that the wind abated and there was no rain during the day.
Map of the route
It was a short walk to the Rhodes foreshore, across Bennelong Bridge and past the apartment towers of Wentworth Point. We then walked past the construction site for the new station (part of Stage 2 Parramatta light rail) at Hill Road and entered the parklands that led to the River walk on the south bank of the Parramatta River. We had uninterrupted views up the river to the right and fenced off wildlife reserve to the left with the occasional small lake for waterbirds.
Morning tea was at Newington Armory wharf under a sheltered area next to the Armory Café which has been closed for a few years. Up to the 1990’s the navy stored and loaded armaments onto navy ships from this site. Most of the infrastructure remains including the cranes on the wharf and the tracks for the small trains used to transport the armaments from the bunkers.
Newington armoury
Morning tea .... 
...at Newington wharf
Skyline of... 
...construction works
We continued our walk up to Silverwater Bridge, crossing over for our return on the northern side of the river. For most of the way it is completely different to the southern side.
Approaching the Silverwater Bridge 
Walking on....
...the northern side... 
...of Parramatta River
The mangroves have been preserved along much of the foreshore with, in parts, a strip of bushland. Although the view of the river is obscured which may disappoint some, it is great to know that there is a priority to maintain the health of the river and provide habitat for wildlife. There was a patch of walking through bushland over steel bridges, a small amount of street walking and areas of walking on the edges of playing fields and parklands. The path is paved all the way.
We had lunch at Melrose Park where Trevor was able to help a passing cyclist who came to a noisy stop with a major gear failure.
Lunch at... 
..Melrose Park
When we reached Meadowbank we stopped for a welcome coffee. Some chose to get a bus or train home from Meadowbank and the remainder crossed the pedestrian bridge back to Rhodes station.
The real reason..... 
for joining... 
...the walk
Leaders: Trevor and Annette Ell (filling in for Phyllis who we wish a speedy recovery)
Walkers: Anne G, Anne R, Barbara, Carol, Carolyn, Christine B, Christine G, Claud d, Coleen, Don B, John G, Kurt, Martin, Pauline, Pragati, Robyn Ma, Ros, Vreni and visitor Monique
First Aid: Trevor
Tail Ender: Don B
Words by Annette
Photos: Barbara (2,3,4,11,15); John G (5,6); Colleen (8); Anne R (14); Claude d L(7,9,12); Monique (10,13)