Walk Report October 12.

 

Another great walk organized by our orienteering, dynamic duo Heather Bice and Dale Gordon. With many members away on the camp, an intimate group of nine set out along Boden’s Water Race in the Ross Creek State Forest.

Engineered in 1870 by Thomas Boden, the race transported water from catchment dams to support gold sluicing operations. High pressure water eroded the soil from the landscape and helped separate the gold. When no longer required, the valuable mechanisms used to control dam outflows were removed and most of the dams breached.

We passed a couple of dams, one clearly breached, and had morning tea beside a fire protection dam where the Coral Lichen covered the ground like soap suds.

The going was relatively easy with the odd wet patch, much like the weather, through forest that had been burnt for fire reduction. 

It was interesting to note the reemergence of foliage, particularly in the more recently burnt areas, with the Milk maids, Trigger plants and Sundews appearing first.

The unburnt, and recovering areas, were alive with nature’s spring display including Pink –bells, Creamy Candles, bright yellow Goodenias – trailing and tall (Ovata), Ivy-leaf violet, Bearded Heath, Common Bird-orchid, Waxlip Orchid, Common Trigger plant, Early Nancy, Milkmaids, Heath Teatree, Narrow-leaf Bitter –pea, Kangaroo tail (Small grass tree), Sundew and Coral Lichen.  There was also an unidentified wattle resembling the Flinders Ranges Wattle.

Most of us convened at the Sticks Café, Avalon Nursery, for lunch after a most enjoyable walk, thanks to Heather and Dale.

H.McD.