BIG plans have been washed away for the ‘Thursday Walkers’ group, with the recent heavy rains thwarting designs to explore bushland tracks near and far over the month of May.
Although a curious tramp out to Hagan’s Lane, from Viney Creek Road West to the Station Creek was cancelled, the following week took the group to an even closer-to-home destination – the Myall Lakes National Park – following an old sand mining access road from Piper’s Creek to Robinson’s Flat.
“It was a glorious start to the day with blue sky, sunshine and not a cloud to be seen on our nice walk through ever-changing flora and forest,” Thursday Walkers co-ordinator Ray Hughes told NOTA.
“A billowing white cloud appeared above the tree line at the morning tea stop beside one of the large waterholes on the way.”
The skies turned mean and dark soon enough however, as the rain reprieve proved short-lived and an ever-quickening pace could not outstrip an ever-looming rainstorm.
With a little more than two kilometres to go, a lengthy and heavy rain squall drenched all, leaving most grateful for their packed ponchos and rain jackets.
The ides of May heralded a trip out to Columbey National Park near Clarence Town, a relatively new and small park that was created to protect three adjacent forest communities.
“A small, optimistic group set off under apparently clearing skies but that didn’t last long and they were soon covering up from the rain while dodging puddles all over the place,” Ray recounted.
“Despite the wet, there were still a few smiles to be seen.”
Mother nature proved capricious once more, cancelling plans to strike out from Mungo Brush Campground to Tamboi and on to Brambles Green.
The last walk of the month summoned a relatively dry day, with just a little bit of drizzle, though overcast and cool.
The group ventured south, away from the incoming major rains, towards Stockton to catch the ferry across to Queen’s Wharf and the start of the Newcastle harbour walk.
“The Walkers enjoyed the change of scenery of an active harbour and a seemingly never-ending residential and commercial redevelopment of what was once a thriving wharf area.”
Planned walks through June include: Booti Booti National Park and Wallis Lake Track, Freshwater Beach via Tait’s Cottage (Myall Lakes NP), Lemon Tree Passage and Alum Mountain overlooking Bulahdelah.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
