Christmas Walk and Lunch 2018

Today we're having our annual Christmas lunch but before that, Bob is leading us around the back streets and rights of way in Kingston and Blackmans Bay.

The weather is perfect as we move en mass from our meeting point in the Seniors car park down to the parking lot at Kingston Beach where we start our walk.

Parking at Kingston beach

There are roadworks going on, hence the large trucks

We join up and walk south along Recreation Street, turning up a right of way to Ewing Avenue. On the way up I get a call from Raoul, who's missed us, having been delayed by a traffic jam caused by an accident. Bob knows the area much better than I do, and arranges a meeting point where Raoul can join us. This works out very well, so increased by one, we head up Jindabyne Road and start our meanderings through the suburbs.

Looking back gives a view of Kingston Beach

More houses being built on the distant hill

The quality of the paths between houses varies

Looking at the ground which appears to be mainly sand, I wouldn't fancy living in a house on the side of this hill

On we go.

I don't have a name for this little park

Into the bush!

We exit on another street to make a little detour along the edge of a school ground, below a shopping centre and back onto a street.

This photo should answer any questions re the headgear we wear on our walks

We stop to admire the blossom on the tree below. Not a native dogwood, but it does remind me of one I grew up with in the states.

Eastern shore of the River Derwent in the distance

More street walking

Our next track

The track leads us towards the coastal track

Nice little rocky beach

Just before we reach the coast, we swing off into a little park for Morning Tea. I think it's part of the Flowerpot Reserve.

We have two types of people on our walks.

The sunny types...

...and the shady characters.

That doesn't sound quite, but anyway, after our break we continue  along the Suncoast Headlands Track down to the beach.

Looking north

As we walked down the track

I became aware of eyes watching us and looked up to see this young sitting up there anxiously looking at us. I just got the camera out in time to see him take off up towards the houses above. 

Southern end of Blackmans Bay Beach

We have to clamber over the storm water pipe that, I assume, is the cause of a pollution warning for the south end of the beach.

Bob helps the ladies over, men are on their own.

Only one of those two are going to get a hand down

We walk along the beach, passing few people until we reach the rocky track leading up at the end.

Looking south

We make our way along the side streets until we reach the top of Mirramar Park and head down. The safety fence at the bottom has seen better days, looks like the floods in May took most of it out.

Mirramar Park

Not so safe safety fence

The fence was to stop stupid people from climbing on the crumbly cliffs. The part we are in is an open area and perfectly safe.

The drilling rig in the far left is here for maintenance, not exploration

The sunshine continues

Having seen the sights, we make our way up a very faint and unofficial track, coming out at the back gardens of houses on top.

We used to walk along bottoms of the properties and come out onto Aldinga Street via a right of way - which is still on the map I might add - today we take the walkway past the house on the end and enter Mirramar Park street? crescent? to find our way over to Aldinga Street.

We make our way back to the roundabout on Jindabyne Street where Raoul goes off to retrieve his car and others to return to the car park to pick up lunch goodies. The rest of us head down the Boronia Beach Track, following that around to the Osbourne Esplanade, turning off into our lunch destination which is very kindly supplied by Alex.

The others slowly arrive laden with food as we set up camp on Alex's veranda.

Heading down Boronia Beach Track

There are a couple of gates to pass through which keep local dogs away from the wildlife. I only saw the back of a wallaby as it hopped away from us.

Kingston Beach just ahead

Our destination

 On arrival I found Tas who took me on many fine walks when I first joined the group, and who now walks with the Wednesday group and Carol.

Some of the treats arrive

Plenty of room for all

We had 18 walkers and covered 10.54km in 3:17hrs on a perfect day.

I would like to thank Peggy for organizing all this, Alex for letting us grace her veranda with it's amazing views and all those who supplied a verity of delicious treats.

Special thanks to Bob for keeping us occupied all morning, getting us back for lunch right on time.

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