THE Myall Coast’s “Thursday Walkers” group stayed active despite August’s heavy rains, pounding the pavement for a variety of walks around the Hunter region.
“The first Thursday’s (August 7) plan for a jaunt through the Wallaroo National Park was squashed by all the prior rain reducing the target destination to mud, slips and puddles, so a walk ensuring solid footing was mooted instead,” explained group convenor Ray Hughes.
“The revised plan was to head into Newcastle City, up to Fort Scratchley, down to Nobbys Beach and out to the end of southern breakwater before returning to Foreshore Park for lunch.”
The weather forecast suggested some light showers throughout the day and it was drizzling as the group met prepared to leave Tea Gardens.
Faced with two options, abandon the walk and go home or head towards Newcastle with the hope that the weather would clear up, the Walkers opted for the latter, and drove through heavy showers to the Stockton ferry.
With the heavy rains continuing, the group eventually settled for a walk through the Hunter Street mall, morning tea at a nearby cafe, and trips on the light rail.
“Not much walking, but lots of talking, laughing and fun,” summarised Ray.
A trip to Grahamstown Drain, originally postponed from July, remained elusive thanks to three more wet Thursdays in a row, forcing cancellation of the planned walk through the Awabakal Nature Reserve.
The group instead opted for coffee and games of ten pin bowling at Raymond Terrace.
“Consideration has been given to renaming the group as ‘The Thursday Morning Coffee Club’,” Ray joked.
The final walk for the month was to be a local jaunt along some Shearwater tracks, but the promise of mud and excess water prompted a change to the Fernleigh Track, a shared pathway following an old rail corridor from Belmont to Adamstown.
The line was opened in the early 1890s to transport coal from the mines around Lake Macquarie to the port of Newcastle and the Newcastle Steel Works, but was decommissioned in 1991, with the Glenrock to Redhead section meandering through forest and wetlands.
With warmer weather on the horizon, the Thursday Walkers group is gearing up for many more interesting walks in the coming months.
“Spring is here and with the weather warming up it offers an ideal opportunity to get out for some exercise after the cold wet winter,” Ray said.
“The Walkers meet at the Tea Gardens Library carpark for an 8.30am departure each Thursday. All are welcome.”
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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