Waterworks Circuit - 22nd March 2022

For the second time in 2 weeks the forecast of bad weather led to changing the scheduled walk to something more suitable.  

 Despite the overcast weather and the promise of rain later in the day 12 walkers set of on today's walk which began at the entrance to the Waterworks Reserve.

The walk will be led by Chris - not sure what he was doing when this photo was taken.

 

The walk goes through the Reserve till we turn off on a minor track which takes us to McDermotts Fire Trail which we follow until it intersects with the Pipeline Track.

An interested local!

At this point it was time for morning tea.

As it threatened to rain Jenny thought it would be a good idea to put on her wet weather pants - those of us with long memories remember a similar instance a few years ago - once she put on her pants the rain stayed away for the rest of the day and we are hoping for the same today.

After morning tea we head along the Pipeline Track towards Fern Tree.

When we reached the intersection with Ridgeway Road walkers were looking for direction from the walk leader - there he is bringing up the rear (where all good leaders are)!!

Chris giving a motivational talk to the group.

Now in Wellington Park making our way towards O'Gradys Falls.

Not sure what happened here but my smartphone decided to take a black and white photo - the result looks like a picture from a bygone era!

Lunch

After lunch we proceed along the Rivulet Trail.

Crossing Strickland Avenue and down the other side.

Quite a steep decline

An interesting looking Fungi

We cross over the Huon Road enter the Bushland Reserve and take a track back to our cars via the Waterworks Reserve.

I found this chubby fellow on my raincoat - unfortunately it had been attached to my throat where it had gorged itself.

Today it took us just under 4hrs to walk 11.8kms while climbing about 350 mtrs.

 

PS. Unfortunately Jenny's tactic didn't work as it rained for the last hour of the walk.

 

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Huntingfield 15 March 2022

 Our scheduled walk for today was going to be 'The Old Hobartian Circuit' but as the weather forecast for Mt Wellington was not good the walk was changed to Huntingfield Reserve.  

This photo taken today looking towards the mountain shows that the right decision was made.

Under heavy skies 9 intrepid walkers commenced the walk from the car park and set off along the Coffee Creek Fire Trail. The track was clearly showing evidence of the wet weather.

 

 

Looking across the North West Bay golf course - note the grey skies threatening rain.

Our route follows a number of fire trails until we reach the boundary of Huntingfield Riding Club and the McVilly Fire Trail where we have morning tea.

After morning tea we left the bigger fire trail and walked along some of the smaller tracks till we reached the high point of the walk at Brightwater Road.  (No shortage of decals on the post - were they purchased in bulk at a discount store??)

 

At Brightwater Road (one of the main entrances to the reserve from this direction) we found this helpful sign!!  While some were diligently studying our route others had more important things to discuss.

We then walked down the Boundary Track to the Huntingfield Riding Club where we had lunch.  Along the way we passed this disused satellite dish.

Never one to disappoint - Chis spotted these orchids (those with eagle eyes will be able to spot the orange flowers in the center right of the photo!!)

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After lunch we headed of towards the Howden Fire Trail.  Along the way these were some of the equestrian obstacles we passed .. despite lots of encouragement no one would jump over them.

Another orchid - well done Chris.

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We walked approx 10kms in 3.5 hours. During lunch there was a spirited discussion regarding the need for accuracy and precision .. for those that require this we walked 9.887kms in 3hrs 19min 44 sec.

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