Geeveston Forest 2015

Today we traveled to Lidgerwood Rd. west of Geeveston to do a new walk. This is one Bob put together after camping in the area with his son a little while ago.

The weather was good as I waited by the Huonville bridge for the others to arrive, not hot but walking weather.

While waiting for the others, I took this from the Huon River Bridge of the reflections in the river.

After we sorted out what cars were going and shifted people around, we set off to Geeveston and turned off on the Arve Rd. In case anyone reading this doesn't know, the Arve Rd. leads to various world class tourist sites. This includes Hartz Peak and the Tahune forest reserve with the Tahune Airwalk. The road also includes a number of world class potholes! Perhaps the Tassie government should pull its collective head out of whatever cavity it's stuck in and have a look at what really can be done to improve visitor experience.

Back to the walk. On arrival, and there was quite a crowd, Bob set down the rules in no uncertain terms. As this was an active forestry operations area, any greens among us were NOT allowed to complain. He pointed out we would not be doing this walk if Forestry had not run roads into the area. Bird watchers were warned NOT to stop and admire their sightings, as they could be left behind. With the number of tracks in the area, this wouldn't be a good idea.

Off we go, up a rutted track that runs between thick bush and a forestry regrowth area. Have a look at the Google Earth photo at the end of this, it was taken in 2010 and shows bare earth. Now, it's full of gums about 2 metres high, almost as far as the eye can see.

Receiving the word from Bob

This will be the last serious look on the walk.

Up we go from the road, new growth on the left.

There are a lot of tracks in this area, some fairly new, some older and some appear to be very old and you have to look closely to even pick them out.

There were a number of interesting water features on the way.

Looking left discouraged anyone from going off on their own.

Older bush, distant hills and regrowth.

The older bush is not all that old, just much thicker.

Coming to a tee junction, we turned left onto an older track. Some of us thought we might be coming back on the same route, and left markers to guide us.

In the end, they weren't needed.

Morning Tea

Walking up this older track, we stopped for Morning Tea. This is when we found that Bull ants and Inchman positively abounded in this area! Below is one Ron found trying to carry away his lunch.

Bull ant

Fortified, we carried on and reached another tee junction with another track, where we turned right.

Growing on a branch at eye level.

No flash, but the camera makes the surrounding bush appear lighter than it is.

On to the next junction.

The new track, most of it is on solid rock and level.

Walking on past attractive Tea-tree or Manuka in blossom, we came to our first major water feature.

Leptospermum scoparium or Tea-tree

Now it gets interesting!

By shouting "Photographer coming through!" I got to the scene of the action, expecting to get some good shots. Unfortunately for this blog, everyone was too well balanced, with only a couple of minor slips for any exciting photos.

Examples of method of getting around both with and without stick.

We all made it through safely, on to the next track.

Turning left on a road, we walked down until we reached an ants nest, where we turned off.

Jolly fellows came out to wish us a happy journey.

A new track.

 This new track appears to be more of a foot track then the others. The bush is slightly different also, as you'll see in the photos.

We came to another road junction and walked along before turning off again.

Several logging roads came into junction here.

New Track

No mention was made about not photographing fungi in Bob's talk! This may be Ramaria capitata var. ochraceosalmonicolor, common to Tasmania.

Carol looks up at one that got away.

We walked along until we found a good place for lunch. Looking down, I could see lots of little pinkish dots on the ground, which on closer inspection, were tiny fungi.

Lunch

Look for the tiny dots.

Here they are closer up, I haven't identified them, yet.

After lunch we continued on to another tee junction. I had been behind and came on the majority standing there, while another smaller group walked off to the left and Bob walked off to the right. I asked if it was something we said, but didn't get an answer, meanwhile Bob had disappeared. The mystery was solved when he returned. He'd been looking at the campsite where he had stayed, and found nothing had changed in the time since.

So, off we all go again, Julie spotted an echidna on the side, but it moved off into the bush before I could get there.

Waiting for Bob to return.

Back to an area we recognized.

Panorama of regrowth and hills.

Closer view of distant hills, with some rain happening.

Back to the cars.

We were lucky with the weather, we had a little sprinkle after Morning Tea, and another just after lunch. It was only on the way home that it really rained.

We had 16 walkers and covered 9.67km in 3:19hrs. It was a good, easy, interesting bushwalk, and Bob has another in mind for the future.


Click here to download GPX file

Kettering 2015

Today we're walking Manuka hill tracks at Kettering, Morning Tea at the oval then around Kettering Point for lunch. I was the (nominal) leader.

The weather was clear with the promise of being warm. I walked up from Woodbridge as usual to meet everyone at Kettering Oval, and what a crowd!

But wait, there's more!

Walking from the oval, we headed north before turning off on a remaining bit of the old Channel Highway to reach Manuka Rd., where we turned right. This is pleasant walking, but leads to a little up hill section that energizes the body before we turn off onto the track.

Remains of the Channel Hwy. I remember it as narrow when driving home, but not that narrow!

On the uphill section of Manuka Rd. Everyone manages to smile for the photo.

Looking south at Kettering, I remember when there were about six yachts in the bay.

Beginning of the track, and a little hill.

The only marking for the start is a small stone cairn, and as there are numerous tracks on the hill  plus it's been over a year since I've been here, I relied on my GPS and a copy of the track from last time. However, we still managed to get on the wrong one, but only for a short time.

The GPS was slow to update our position, so I was tempted by the Devil (thanks, Bob!) to follow the wrong way (story of my life). I/we soon realized our error, and lost little time from our walk.

Back on target, we continued up to the top of the hill where the track runs down the north side of the hill, along a fence line until we turn left.

Having the dual responsibility of leading and photographing for this blog, I was often at the rear of the group. Questions were asked about this, criticism offered, and complaints made. As I said at the time "Does the sheepdog go at the front of the flock?" and "I want  people to feel empowered by leading the way." I rest my case.

Walking through the very dry bush, we reached a road that led down to Wilsons Rd. and back to the Oval.

Lovely uphill track.

Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis) Fruit is about the size of your little finger nail. It's quite tasty and the seed is external. It would take about 40,000 to make a pie.

The full tree, which is actually a parasite on roots of other plants.

Heading down the north side of Manuka Hill.

The track turns left at the bottom and continues along the boundary of several properties.

Going to be a while before this paddock is grass.

Not easy to see, but this is covered in flowers.

At the end of the fence, we turn up hill again and go right.

More Native Cherry. Must be something they ate.

Very dry. I don't think I would like to live here.

Looking south over Kettering towards Woodbridge.

Heading down.

Just before the oval, and running around the foreshore, is a pleasant track created by various organizations, that leads down to the foreshore, and around the bottom of the cricket oval. We walked down here, then back to the oval for Morning Tea.

Overview of the Nuenone people who inhabited the area before settlement.

Heading for Morning Tea.

After the break, we headed back down to the track to find the bridge over the creek (I can't find a name for this creek on any map). Then we walked through the boat yard to Ferry Rd. and down the new footpath to the track around Kettering Point.

Tas contemplates putting one of these installations in his back garden.

Kettering harbour.

Here's an interesting story. Click on it for a larger image you can read.

 Or if you want to read the full story, Click Here.

Looking back at the Oyster Cove Inn

Now we walk around the point for lunch at Trial Bay.

Another pleasant walking track created by the locals.

Kettering Point complete with seat and steps to the foreshore.

I couldn't get dolphins this year, so I arranged for a sail past of the new auxiliary Bruny Island ferry!

Lunch at Trail Bay.

After lunch, I walked the group back to the Channel Highway, pointed out the way, left them to Bob and walked home.

So far, so good.

We had 18 walkers which increased to 19 at Morning Tea and covered 8.89km in 3:34hrs. A good little walk.

I, of course, have to say I covered 16.8km in 5:25hrs. So there.

Click here to download GPX file