Mother Brown's Bonnet 2019

Today we're going to walk to the top of Mother Brown's Bonnet, near Forcett. Something we haven't done since 2012.

We park near the old farm, setting off through the gate. Bob is our leader

We have a good sized group today

The original farm buildings which became Woodvine Nature Reserve

I'll tell you more about the history of the farm/reserve later on.

Off we go

The track is fairly flat, traveling through a field of bracken fern for a short distance until it reaches a boot cleaning station. This has a brush to be used to clean our boots so we don't bring any outside disease or fungi into the reserve.

Queuing for a brush up

Looking back. There is another cottage and outbuildings a bit farther on

After everyone is clean, we start off again, but don't get far before I hear a crash up ahead and spy a pair of feet waving in the air above the bracken.

He or she will remain anonymous - I missed getting a photo.

Seems long laces on one boot had caught on the other boot effectively tying their feet together. No (physical) harm was done and the problem was soon rectified.

There have been a spate of laces coming untied lately and it gives me an idea for a new U3A course, one that would teach various knots for shoes and boots. Perhaps it could be called Get Knotted!-
Nodeology for the elderly.

 Nodeology is the term accepted by the International Guild of Knot Tyers.

Just an idea if someone wants to take it on board.

On we go, as the bush begins to take over the track. There are no great views on this walk, but it is a pleasant one.

It's not long before we begin to climb and look for a place for Morning Tea. Bob finds a spot with lots of seating on old logs for our break.

Going up

Morning Tea

We're spread around this area on various logs.

Peter draws my attention to this fungus on his log

Tea finished, we set off over one of several logs we encounter today.

Up and over

The ground changes from sandy to loose rocks and red soil as we climb.

We come to a false summit, continuing on to the real Mother Browns Bonnet.

It becomes more open as we get higher

About as much of a view as you will get

It's not far to the actual peak which is much the same as the first one.

The real Mother Browns Bonnet peak

 A short look around and we start back.

Clambering over dead wood brings out some fancy footwork from a few of us

Making sure everyone is here

We start down but Bob takes us off the side to find a good lunch spot.

Peter clears yet another log

Forestry plantations in the distance

Looking for lunch

We find a spot with both logs and comfortable rocks, although a bit steep. There are some views through the gum trees.

Lunch

A few gaps give a look at the distant hills

Telephoto shot. I tried to locate what I'm looking at on a map

The only thing I can see that matches it is Visscher Island and Cape Frederick Henry. It's about 20km in a straight line from our lunch spot.

Meal finished, we head down to find our way back to the farm.

Bob missed this tiny orchid

You can tell as there's no boot print on top of it.

We follow our original track from the morning

We reach the old farm and have a look around the buildings.

I promised some history of the reserve and farm earlier on, so here it is.

The farm, "Woodvine" was donated to the Crown in 1998 by Herbert Shaw to preserve its native plants and animals. Woodvine has been in his family from first settlement in 1861, Mr. Shaw inherited it from his Uncle Edgar Long in 1977. Farm income had been generated by wool production and orchards around the house. The area is 377 ha.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WOODVINE

The buildings have been left as they were and are generally falling down, although Parks have propped several up to keep them from collapsing completely. There is a group associated with looking after the property, but I suppose time and money are the problem.

Due to theft, many of the more portable artifacts have been moved off site.

Some old farm equipment rusting quietly in the bracken

Bob about to peak inside

Old water tank hand made on site.

Naked Ladies or Amaryllis

Not very good photo through windows appears to show an old washing machine complete with cover

Dunny (outhouse) with a view

Other house and buildings just a short distance away

Hand split timber shingles. The planks used for the walls are also hand split

Peter spotted this woolpress inside

Used to compress wool from shearing into a standard size bail for shipping.

There is a larger barn a short distance away, but we'll leave that for next time.

We had 20 walkers and covered 8.13km in 2:47hrs moving time. Thanks to Bob.

Click here to download GPX file

Woodvine Reserve is the coloured area