Thursday 12 July 2018

Combined group of walkers before dividing into two groups at the top of Durras Mountain.

The view from the top.

Two leaders Val and Bob.

Pink Lilli Pilli.

Chatting in the sun.

Mark and Rob

Bob, Bruce, Glen, Chris, Mark, Betty, Rob, Donna and Dave.

Giant Stranger Fig with Staghorns.

Walking through the high grass.

Photos by Denise, Brian and Mary

The destination today was the Giant Strangler Fig Tree. The walk took 14 members and guests to the top of Durras Mountain on good track. The view at the top of Durras Mountain was spectacular, brilliant sunshine enhanced an abundant crop of Lilli Pilli both white and pink on the side of the track.

The terrain changed as Bob led us off the main track down an increasingly obscure track to a dry creek bed where we went bush to locate this local marvel.  On the way Bob took his usual licence with an explanation of a rock wall, always entertaining if not especially factual!

The fig is thought to be at least 100 years old and for an ‘old fellow’ looking in remarkably fine health unlike the host tree. Large, lush Staghorns adorn the roots of the fig all the way up to the top. Cameras popped as we sat on the bank to admire this magnificent example of local flora.

Climbing out of the gully was made a little more challenging with care needing to be taken stepping over branches, fallen trees and a lot of waist high, bright green grasses.

We returned to the Bay under darkened skies in time to experience a thunderstorm with heavy rain and hail stones.

Mary