We live on the outskirts of Sydney. In fact the bush starts right across the road, opposite the house. You can walk down over the edge and explore creeks, waterfalls, rocky overhangs.... the whole off track bushwalking experience.
Today I led a bushwalking group through this backyard playground of mine, and a jolly good time was had by all.
I billed it as 'The Backblocks of Pennant Hills, Westleigh & Cherrybrook'. We explored Tedbury Creek and Zig Zag Creek. We had a surprise morning tea with cake and scones at our house. We then went back down to the Great North Walk and up to Refuge Rock on the Cherrybrook side, and we all fitted through the overweight bushwalker detector slot. (Last year some of my walkers got stuck!) An added bonus was the sound of the squeals of delight (maybe terror actually) from some of the new-to-off-track-walking participants when they discovered the pleasures of leeches crawling up their legs.
I think they really did enjoy it all though, and the visitors in the group all signed up afterwards as members. I was quite proud of myself today.
Photo credit (2nd photo): Jacqui Joseph
