Today was supposed to be a new walk labelled Bridgewater Jetty and led by Bob.
Unfortunately, the weather is a bit wet and misty and as the new walk would be along the River Derwent, the promise of winds would have made that a fairly cold walk. Taking this into consideration, Bob decided to walk along another, smaller river, the River Jordan at Pontville.
We meet at the parking area at the Brighton Municipal Memorial Hall oval, gear up and set off into the mist.
 |
| St. Matthews Church |
 | |
| South on The Midland Highway |
Today will be a mixture of road and track walking. Soon we turn off onto Jordan Downs Drive.
 |
| Turning off |
 |
| Lots of new builds appearing out here |
Our route takes us along River Court Avenue and down Andrew Street until we pick up the path along the Jordan River.
Just before we turn onto the track, we pass this little, obviously fairly old, cottage, which shown below.
No where have I been able to find any information about it and would welcome anything anyone can tell me about. Just send a comment. Please!
 |
| Mystery cottage |
The walking tracks are well marked by signage.
 |
| Another old cottage |
 |
| Along the Jordan River |
It's about that time, so we find a small shelter for Morning Tea
 |
| There appears to be some sort of notice on the other side |
 |
| It's a planning notice |
Handy for any of your neighbours that might be wading or rowing along the river and might want to comment on the proposed development.
Close inspection reveals they want to construct outbuildings.
On we go, looking for Morning Tea.
 |
| Morning Tea |
After our break, we make our way back to the Midland Highway, crossing over just before the bridge to pick up the trail again.
 |
| Pontville is full of colonial architecture |
 |
| Pontville and the bridge |
 |
| No idea |
 |
| Pontville |
Started as an early garrison town in 1821 Pontville housed convicts and troops while the convicts constructed the sandstone bridge. WW1 and WW2 found a large army camp nearby and in 2011 the camp was converted into the 'Pontville Immigration Detention Centre' for mainly single male asylum seekers. This closed in 2013.
On we go on various tracks and roads.
 |
| The first of many horses |
The Brighton Racecourse is located here and it's a popular area for raising race horses.
 |
| Largely flat area surrounded by hills |
 |
| The race course |
It's lunch time and we look for a spot, finding one next to the course.
A small building with a sheltered verandah will have to do. However, before we start a glance in the window shows something odd about this building. There appears to be no furniture, just something unusual.
 |
| Unfortunately the head doesn't show, but this is a mechanical horse well away from its herd |
 |
| Lunch |
Lunch finished, we carry on slowly making our way back to the cars.
 |
| Locals. The big one was very disappointed with me because my hand was empty |
 |
| I'm pretty sure these aren't race horses |
Finally we find ourselves near a gate then magically on the other side.
 |
| How did we get on this side? |
Pondering the question, we make our way back to the cars.
We had 13 walkers and covered 14.33km in 3:15hrs
A good walk given the circumstances. It didn't rain all the time and we even had brief (very brief) flashes of sunshine. Thanks to Bob.
