When: 29TH July,  2012

Leader: Margaret Madge
“Living the Olympic Dream”

Inspired by the Opening Ceremony and the girls golden triumph we assembled at the Carrington car park to live our Olympic dream.

Ours was a cricket team (11 members). Margaret, Eileen, Ros, Yvonne, Pam, Andrea, Ann, Helma, Sheila, Dave and Ray – determined to bring home gold.

Our captain Margaret Madge outlined the plan. Firstly to tame the hill up to the Kings Falls Circuit. Then to immerse ourselves in the nature of the circuit travelling in a clockwise direction, followed by an amble to Seawinds for lunch, and completed by a return trip via the Cook Street Loop and a periphery circuit of the golf course.

That sounds simple enough; but you know what they say about well laid plans…

Firstly, a stuttered climb as Andrea paused for photo opportunities with the Crimson Rosellas.

Secondly, a member (I won’t say who, Sheila!!) left their purse on the ground at the Falls during morning tea and wanted permission to return alone to retrieve it.

Thirdly, a member (it could have been Eileen)  was complaining bitterly over various injustices in their role as “Whip-It Keeper”.

Then it started raining … and I thought back to my first walk with Marty who ordered me to leave my umbrella in the car – because, “We’re Bushwalkers – not Mary Poppins!”.  How times have changed in twelve short months – seven umbrellas popped simultaneously – including the one in the hands of our fearless leader.

But fun prevailed. We all chatted laughed and enjoyed each others company while we had a really great five hours together before assembling for coffee at the Bayview Road Bakery, who were kind enough to provide complimentary snacks for us all!!

Thanks Margaret and fellow members for a terrific day!

Ray Barkla

Ten WWW’s met at Mornington Gallery in fine weather. We followed tracks and laneways through both suburban and bushland areas to the Briars where we walked a short circuit walk through wetlands to the lookout and back to the visitors’ centre.

We retraced our steps to Benton’s Square for coffee then back to the gallery. A very pleasant morning walk through tracks many of us have never walked.

Thank you Chris.

Margaret Madge.

Fourteen walkers met at Greens Bush in great weather- a contrast to last week’s first leg of the Two Bays Walk. One minor false start, it seems there was a lack of communication between the leader and the whip! The walk took us through deep fern gullies, extensive clusters of Xanthoreas and forests of tall coastal banksias. Lots of very tame kangaroos came out to just watch us passing.

Beautiful undulating bush tracks and quite some steps particularly for those who ventured down to Bush rangers Bay for lunch. Only one walker was brave (mad) enough to go for a paddle across the very full-running creek – guess who? – Marty!

Dave, that actually wasn’t a short landing strip that you saw on the green hill near Highfields! I won’t mention the slightly dodgie conversation overheard between two male walkers at the tail-end of the group!

Thanks to Chris for organising a beautiful walk and to Helma, Louise, Greg and John who went early so that their cars were at Cape Schanck to carry us safely back to Greens Bush.
Congartulations to Louise who was the only driver who kept within the speed restrictions through the road works-we thought we had lost you!

Margaret Madge.

Leaders – Chris Spencer and Marty Sakkeus

This was the first half and the practice run, of the Two Bays walking track that was to be walked several weeks later by the fit, the mad and those with grandiose ideas of walking all the way to Cape Shank.

We, the lesser mortals that wanted to do the track in two days rather than one, set out on a cold and windy day from McCrae lighthouse and headed towards Anthony’s Nose at a cracking pace.  I know that I should have stuck to my guns and given up puffing up Arthur’s Seat once more, but instead staggered behind admiring the colours of the sea and then of the plants as we walked up past Heronswood Gardens to LaTrobe Parade when any sensible person would have started.

It is from here that you start puffing up towards the top of Arthur’s Seat and into the Seawinds grounds.  This climb is always a challenge, no less because of the recent rains that had somewhat damaged the track.  There are always views to stop and look at, the vegetation to stop and photograph as you climb up and up.  And then the pleasant walk through the stringy bark and gum forests with an under story of bracken and ferns.  This part of the walk is really beautiful, all damp and green with some orchids starting to germinate and acacias to flower.  Parts of this walk are really rewarding, but the up parts come too quickly.  Eventually we came to the grassy open area from where we were to descend down to McLarens Dam. This is a steep gravelly descent that tests knees, and the flat around the dam is really appreciated.  Too early for lunch so on we went to find the part of the track that winds through the back of Rosebud.  By now it was the second leader’s turn to lead, luckily some of the walkers were more familiar with the track and so we left the Park and ventured into suburbia.

After wandering through some of the streets we found the track and followed it along the board walk and through the creek area.  The creek was running well, the board walk rather slippery and the walk through the vegetation rather damp and boggy.  But undeterred we walked on until we came to the track to Stephanie Rennick Hill where we all were pleased to stop for lunch and admire the view and the horses in a nearby paddock.  They obviously were also interested in lunch, but no one was forth coming.

The track now descended down to the creek, but unfortunately we were soon floundering around in the mud and slush.  The track here was very wet and boggy and a diversion necessary.  Then came that long long haul up to Greens Bush, a deceptive hill that goes on for ever, and then a bit further.  But soon we were in Greens Bush and headed towards the cars, what a welcome sight they were nestled under the trees.  We had made it in good time indicating that those who were to do the whole of the walk to Cape Schanck should arrive there in daylight.

Then came that dreadful OH NO moment when someone realised that they had left their car keys at McCrae after the car shuffle!  Soon we were sorted and headed back to McCrae for keys, cars and coffee.

Thank you Chris and Marty for the walk, it wasn’t as bad as all that, and we all had a very enjoyable time.   Ros S

Six of us braved the winter weather for 43 km from Woory Yallock to Lillydale. The forecast was for wet and cold, and they were right. Some were wearing shorts, brrr. The track was quite crowded. There were bike riders, walkers with umbrellas children & dogs, also horses. The highlight was the ride over the new Maroonda HW crossover bridge.  Before getting there it started to “bucket”, so some stayed at the Everton bakery to await our return. The new bridge is an “Engineering Marvel”. Then it was lunch at the bakery, a real treat. Naturally Roland had to eat the biggest of everything. The way back was all downhill and still wet and cold. Everything was wet and muddy and it was a challenge to get back into clean clothes. We still had good fun and a lot of laughter. Thank you Alex, Helen, Rosemary, Andrew & Roland for the winter ride.
Anna R

KEPPLES HUT BACK PACK
26/27TH. MAY 2012.
Hike leader: Paul Bucknell, Party;- Micheal,Ray, Lorraine,and Julie.
After a bus stop run picking up people on the way, we left Frankston at 4.30pm and drove through heavy rain and gale force winds, talking about sceptic comments from our friends during the week about going out in such weather??
On our way to Marysville, Discussions ran around the car about options? :- The cold freezing rotunda on snowy Lake Mountain, or , the cosy heated cabins  with soft beds in Marysville,? All but one courageously said the Rotunda.
However soon after passing through Marysville, snow appeared on the road. The further we drove up the deeper the snow became, and more branches across the road. The doubting  Thomas’s emerged. Finally we came upon a Ute stopped at a large fallen tree. Showing little resistance, we piled back into the 4×4 and headed back to Marysville and the cosy cabin. After a jovial tea around the table, we snuggled into bed with the storm raging outside.
SATURDAY;-  Paul raised the reluctant crew out of their cosy beds at 7am. With various mutterings and request for cuppa ,s in bed.
We prepared day packs and donned wet weather gear and set off in the 4×4 along Lady Talbot Drive, wondering how far we could drive before the snow stopped us. We soon had tree clearing down pat and coming upon a fallen tree we would hop out and cut and drag it of the road. Once we had to us the 4×4 to drag it away.
We saw many “long tailed chooks’ (lyre birds) and rabbits and wallaby’s on the way up. We managed to get as far as the Upper Taggerty Road and park. There was 6” of snow on the ground by now. Our progress up the track was made easier because a 4×4 had cut groves through the snow. However when we stopped for a scroggin break three more sloshed past and muddied up the snow..
By 10.30am. We had arrived at the newly built Keppel’s Hut nestled in 18” of snow, a fairytale picture. We rekindled the fire inside the hut, had brunch and took the group photo in the snow.
Then to experience virgin snow, we took the Boundary Hut Trail for a kilometre. Julie and Lorraine fell into the powder snow to make snow angles (see picture) the deep snow meant that the lead person sank 18” into the snow and the following people stepped into their tracks.   We returned to the main road and quickly descended back to the car. We left our wet dripping  gear on because we were just going down to the river to walk around the Beeches Cuiciut Track.
This was a delightful walk through rain forests with lot of bridges over the raging rivers. We walked down to where they met then up past the Cascades water fall the back up to the road. Here we had to decided again; – Down the road, or the saturated bush track? We bravely to the track and bashed our way the wet over-hanging branches brought down by the snow…
Back at the car we took of our wet weather gear and piled back into the car for the short trip back to our cosy cabin. Hot showers and a dry change and hang things up to dry, then we walked up to the street and feasted at the bakery on hot pies coffee and decedant “Bee Stings”
When we returned to our cabin we didn’t feel like much tea but managed to graze until late.
Sunday.
We awoke to the kettle going on for a cuppa at 7;15am. And sat around the table for a jovial breakfast. It took awhile to sort out the Chinese laundry of clothes hanging around but finally we were packed and the cabin cleaned. Then off to the Stevenson’s Falls. We had to force ourselves past the bakery  . We stopped at the first car park and walked down the “Ferny Gully “track and followed the river for 3kl. To the spectacular falls and the compulsory group photo.
WE then shed some layers for the climbed up to the top of the falls. Impressive views of Marysville and the surrounding mountains.  Off then further up the mountain to the first lookout” De La Rue” to stop for a warm cuppa from the thermoses that Ray was carrying. The sun came out briefly which enabled us to see the view of Marysville and the Cathedral Range.
On through the forest to the new steel platform at Keppel’s Lookout. The mist cleared briefly to see the view. Micheals craving for the bakery drove us down the trail with Michael leading the way. There was a lot of track maintenance in progress on the way down.
Back at the bakery we indulged ourselves in coffee and many pastry delights. We then reluctantly drove home.  Everyone enjoyed the snow filled scenery and the great company.

It was a beautiful hot summer’s day, but in autumn, when we met at the Bushrangers Bay car park.  There were about 20 of us that set out at a spanking pace heading to the coast.

You can usually guarantee as you walk along the Bushrangers Bay track that you will see hundreds of kangaroos, however this time only one was seem, much to most people’s surprise.

As it was such a beautiful day whenever we came to a view of the ocean most people slowed down to admire the view.  Morning tea was taken near Elephant rock, after a leisurely stroll across the beach.

Back on the track we headed towards Cape Schank, along the track that wanders in and out of the shaded, overhanging branches of the tea-trees, up and down a steep creek bank and out along the cliffs with a view of Cape Schank and the track to its tip.  Once there we descended endless steps to that tip, to have lunch on the pebbly beach and a well earned rest.

After lunch and ice creams we headed back along the track to retrace our steps to the cars.  This time one snake was observed sunning its self on the side of the track.  On the section back to the cars from the turn off to Bushrangers Bay we passed numerous people going down to the Bay to enjoy the warm afternoon.

Thank you David for a very pleasant walk, and for putting on such beautiful sunny weather.

Sunday 22nd April 2012

Leader: Les Littlejohn

Second Day  – A group of seven ’bushies’ (Angela, Trish, Sheila, Judy, Marg D, Roland and Anna) and our leader, Les, drove off from Castlemaine Station at 8.30am (with a ‘promise’ of a 2pm return) for our second walking day of the weekend. Our first destination was Pennyweight Flat Children’s Cemetery. This small gated enclosure with its scattered rocky markers, both single and formed in circles, many with heartbreaking plaques recording early deaths, was all that remained to remind us of the numerous babies and very young children who died during the gold rush days in what was then a very bleak landscape.
We then collected our packs from the cars and in beautiful sunshine walked down the country road towards the diggings. Les took us via several short cuts through the country hillside, picking up the track, where there was one, leading us higher and higher to a short VERY steep incline. Having struggled up (and then down) we had time to catch our breath before wending our way through a labyrinth of tracks through the bush. Relics of former mining activities are scattered throughout the area and passing rugged rock walls,  a ‘Claim’ marker, a  ‘puddling’ site and small mountains of spoil we came upon the ‘Welsh village’ – terraces of rocky ruins, now lightly wooded. Always discovering another area the miners had excavated – old shafts, tunnels, open cut mines and building ruins left behind –  we gingerly skirted the slate quarry avoiding the numerous deep holes and old mine shafts as we walked the miles and miles (or so it seemed) of water races until we reached the site of the old Garfield Water Wheel – the largest ever built in Victoria. The 24m diameter wheel was erected in 1887 and drove a 23-head quartz stamp battery until 1904 when steam took over. We turned off to explore Expedition Pass Reservoir (named by Major Mitchell in 1836) and then…. Lunch at last!   Well fed and energised we were off again at a brisk pace for the last hour or so as we followed the diggings track back to Pennyweight Flat Children’s Cemetery. The heavens decided to open up during the last 15 minutes of the walk but we arrived back at 2pm on the dot (thanks Les!) in good time for our journey back home.
What a great weekend! – thank you Les for organising two great walks and for your always interesting and informative commentary along the way.
Sheila, Trish, Angela, Judy, Marg D.

It had been wet on & off for the past few days, but Saturday dawned and the weather was perfect for hiking – not raining; no wind thus no chill factor despite being in the “mountains”.

17 set out on a 17km trek through the mountainous terrain. Great cardio & lower leg workout until scroggin break – steep uphill climbing to the ridge for the first 1 1/2hrs on the Moonlight Divide Track. Through regenerating Mountain Ash forest with dense understorey of Dogwood, Daisy Bush & Blackwood.

We stopped for a well earned scroggin break, under a beautiful canopy of trees, avoiding the mist in the open area ahead.  We turned onto Moonlight Creek Track following a full & fast flowing mountain stream through the most magnificent, vibrant fern gullies. Nature had put on its best face & spring was evident. Buds & fronds were bursting into new life, displaying colours from golden orange to bright lime greens.

Lichens & moss were abundant along massive tree branches, with ferns growing out of them – it made us all think of our childhood and “the Magic Faraway Tree”. It was magical & breathtaking. Giant ferns were covered in moss & smaller ferns down one side of their trunks – adding to the magical quality. Giant fungi were abundant growing like giant plates from the tree trunks.

Along with the lushness, comes moisture or should I say: “mud, glorious mud”!!!!! We went slip, sliding along and very soon became covered in it….some more than others!! Over the course of the day, 4 intrepid hikers “kissed the ground”.

We also had to climb over a number of fallen trees across the path, just to add to our mud!

After what seemed to be many slow going hours, we arrived back at the Moonlight Creek Picnic area/car park for a very well earned rest and lunch and a wash of muddy hands.

Then on to the next circuit, following the sawmills and & Giants Circuit track – which took us again through fern gullies, mountain ash forest and eventually back to the car park.

Birds were abundant throughout the entire day, though we didn’t get to spot any lyrebirds.  We had a brilliant day & some finished it off with a coffee at the Stumpy Creek Café in Darnum.

Thank you Robyn for organizing it.

Fingal Beach itself is relatively remote and reminded
several of us of the Otway’s beaches along the Great Ocean Walk. There were sandstone
rock formations and cliffs. The low tide created a broad waterfall effect over
the edge of the reefs. This was the backdrop to morning tea.

We then headed off along the sandy beach towards Gunnamatta.
With the ideal weather and beach conditions it was decided to extend the walk all
the way to the Gunnamatta SLC. True to form the surf was big and plenty of
surfers were out. Margaret and Marty enjoyed the sand without boots and Marty
amazed/(horrified) everyone by continuing bare foot all the way back – just a
big kid at heart.

The return walk diverted from the beach to a slightly inland
track. Lunch was enjoyed from a perfect cliff top perch. The track then
gradually climbed back towards Cape Schanck, rejoining the initial track over
the last km. Total distance around 13.5km, as measured separately by 2 walkers with
GPS apps on their phones, only to learn how much this drains the phone battery!

Well done to Deirdre for organising this most enjoyable walk
and welcome to the newcomers, who kept up well despite the longer distance than
advertised. Thanks also to Jill who invited us back to her nearby house for a
restful afternoon tea.