It was going to be a short walk in the Wyrrabablong National Park this afternoon, the air so clear and fresh after the many squalls of rain we have experienced in the past week the leaves of the trees and palms and ferns sparkling in the mild autumn sunlight . The sight reminds me of TS Eliot description of thee leaves like children clapping hands with joy. The perfect day for a walk. The plan was to walk along the Red Gum Trail to the Swamp Track which I usually walk on a dry path frolicing along to the song of the frogs on both side in amidst the ferns and palms and towering wonderful Red Gums. However the swamp track had become real and explained why it is called the Swamp Trackand we learnt that about half way along as it became impassable. And we had to turn back!
reflection
acoss our track
water flows
into our world
upside down
So we turned back and decided to do the full track Red Gum Trail joined into the Lilly Pilly Track and then wound back by the bushy Burrawang Track. Michael did well even though we had not planned to walk that far. We had two pleasant sit downs on lookout platforms over the Lake.
Sydney red gums have beautiful bark, which changes colour and texture as it is shed. They have twisted and winding branches, strange looking growths and protuberances and wonderful creamy yellow blossoms when in flower. The unusal shapes especially where the trunks and branches ‘flow’ over obstacles and around obstacles. They have excellent old growth cavities and hollows for birds and squirrel gliders to shelter.
Besides the Red Gums the Burrawangs and Banksias were spectacular fresh and green after the rain.
After our hike we settled at Canton beach for a cup of tea from our thermos and we watched a spectacular sunset.
