Saturday 10 August 2024
Photos courtesy of Rodney and Max. Walk report courtesy of MaryM.
It is very rare for the club to schedule a walk that starts at 10.45am. However “thinking outside the box” this is exactly what Rodney, our walk leader did.
Not only that, but he also decided that this 5.5km walk would be taken at an easy pace and that any hills would be of gentle incline. This description certainly encouraged 14 members to grab their dose of outdoors, and join Rodney in a walk through the forest surrounding South Durras.
Initially the walking track headed down to Emily Beach before taking us back up towards the road from where we took an adjoining track that led us east through
open forest and then along the clifftop towards Dark Beach. Looking out across the water and down to the shoreline, we could see that others had also taken
advantage of this fine sunny winters day. Rock fishermen were testing their lines, a family were playing on Dark Beach and a few boats had taken to the water.
The whole track proved easy walking, and a leisurely lunch was enjoyed amidst the beautiful forest. Being in the middle of the day any bird life was fairly quiet, though our leader stated that early of a morning this particular area of bush is alive with the call of lyre birds.
It doesn’t really matter what level of “bushwalk” we venture on, for it is the combination of walking and nature that is the enriching element. If a particular walk should pose a few “challenges” along the way, which we overcome, then we can also add a sense of achievement. Do this in the company of other like minded
people and you are on a winner! Remember the word “walk/walking” has many synonyms describing its action, and on any one day our personal preferences can
vary from stroll, amble, tramp, wander to serious hike or major trek. The main objective however, is the same; to get out there, be amongst nature and move!